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aka Kazanlink

Damask. A very ancient rose used extensively in Bulgaria for attar of roses. This automatically tells us that the perfume is deliciously delightful i.e. this rose is very fragrant! The blooms are somewhat shaggy, double and shaded a warm pink. Spring flowering. From the Middle East -pre 1700.

Did you know that it takes about 50 kilos of rose petals - yes 50 to make just 30mls of essential rose oil (attar of roses)? Blooming amazing!

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Gallica. An upright rose that is a natural 'sport' from rose 'Tuscany'. The strong stems have few thorns and the dark crimson flowers are very strongly scented. The flowers are semi-double and have a nice prominent display of golden stamens. An easy to grow rose that flowers in early summer 1848.

From England

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aka The Green Rose

China. Known as the green rose, this unusual variety has flowers that look like leaves. Is mostly green with brown markings. Very easy to grow and few disease problems. Flowers from early summer through to autumn. A popular and interesting rose for floral work. Is happiest when pruned lightly. 1833.

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aka aka Old Velvet Moss

Moss. A tall and vigorous rose with sprays of buds covered in green 'moss' that open out to large crimson-purple, informal blooms that gently fade to soft mauve. Deliciously fragrant. Flowers in early summer only, but well worth planting. From France 1855.

William Lobb was Plant Collector in the Victorian era who hailed from Cornwall England.

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Gallica. An old French rose which is very early flowering. Blooms of deep lilac mauve that fade to paler shades of mauve and grey. Beautifully formed flowers with a strong fragrance. Just delightful. This rose is found growing wild in the countryside in many parts of NZ. 1837.

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Gallica. An upright shrub like Rose with attractive grey-green foliage and very fragrant blooms that appear in summer. The blooms are flat and quartered and are a pretty blend of pink, grey and mauve. Does best in a warm sheltered position. From the mid 19th century.

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Bourbon. Firstly, this Rose has nothing to do with Vince Martin! Originating from France in 1874 it grows into a tall shrub that flowers abundantly in summer. The blooms are beautifully fragrant, fully double, globular and rose pink with splashes of deep carmine. Light green, healthy foliage

Commandant Beaurepaire was a French Army officer (1740-1792). His name can be found engraved on the Arch de Triomphe in Paris.

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Portland. A unusual rose with grey green foliage and large flowers of rich warm pink that emit a heady fragrance. The continuously produced flowers are excellent for cutting. Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. Truly lovely and a reliable performer. 1863.

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China. This is such a pretty rose bred in France in 1902. The almost single blooms are shades of soft orange and pink highlighted with red. And oh the perfume. Flowers from summer to autumn. Lovely. Assume named after Zoe Talon AKA Comtesse du Cayla and mistress of Louis XVIII.

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Gallica. Fully double pale pink blooms that carry a pleasant fragrance appear throughout summer. Dark grey-green foliage and an upright habit. Quite a vigorous grower that will tolerate poor soils and some shade. France 1829.