An important modern classification - these roses have extraordinary favour with the buying public. They are old world roses crossed with modern roses (mainly by the breeder David Austin).The Old Rose fragrance is also quite commonly found in David Austin's English Roses the classic being Gertrude Jekyll whose truly superb fragrance always reminds me just how wonderful roses can be.

It is found most commonly in the English Roses and in fact the very first, Constance Spry, has a very strong myrrh fragrance as has Gentle Hermione and Boscobel (along with hints of hawthorn, elderflower, pear and almond!). It probably came from the Ayrshire ramblers which are hybrids of R. arvensis, the Field Rose.

Unfortunately, these roses are not easy to find, either because of the rights that Austin gives for NZ or because of the high demand. In any case, we leave you here some suggestions that are from David Austin and that also have a pleasant perfume.

Falstaff

Mary Rose

Sir John Betjeman

The Pilgrim

The Myrrh fragrance is divisive; most people like it but others find it unpleasant, reminding them of hospitals. It is reminiscent of sweet anise and in fact has nothing to do with myrrh (as in the three kings) its name coming from the Latin name for the herb Sweet Cicely, Myrrhis odorata.

All the above fragrance emanate from the petals whereas the musk fragrance comes from the stamens. It wafts in the air with the greatest of ease and smells even more beautiful at a distance while close up it often smells like cloves.

It is not just the flowers that smell. The mossy growth around the buds of the Moss Roses is sticky and has a delicious resinous scent. Walking past the Sweet Briar, R. rubiginosa on a warm humid evening will be like smelling green apples..

Old World Roses/Species Roses 

CLIMBING; Ayrshire, Boursault, Climbing Tea, Noisette.

RAMBLER; Multifiora, Sempervirens (wild rose), Wichuriana (wild rose)

NON-CLIMBING; Alba - tall and white, Bourbon - flowers normally large, leaves glossy, Boursault, Centifolia (Province) - a profusion of petals, also called the cabbage of rose, China - usually small, compact and twiggy growth. Damask - open bushes/diverse group. Gallica - very prickly, Hybrid Perpetual - similar to modern roses but better leaf cover, Moss - foliage covered by a moss-like growth, Musk- bred in the UK between 1912 and 1939, all are free flowering and perfume, Portland, Rugosa - dark green, leathery, rough leaves, Tea Rose, Sweet Briar.

The Old Rose fragrance is arguably the most delicious and as might be expected is found most commonly in the Gallicas, Damasks and Albas although each has its own subtle note. The big ramblers with thousands of small single or semi double flowers are the best source.