The classic red rose

Flower & Garden Magazine, April-May, 1996 by Molly Dean

There is Something Both Stirring and satisfying about the sight of a lovely red rose. When the flowers of my gallica rose 'Tuscany Superb' bloom in May. I delight in their rich, velvety shade of crimson. Indeed, the connection between flower and color is underscored in many languages by words for "rose" that are synonyms for "red." Some examples include the Greek rhodon, the Latin rosa, the Celtic rhod, the German rosen and the French rose.

The rose with the longest history of cultivation is probably Rosa gallica, the original French or gallica rose, a plant with strongly perfumed flowers of various shades of red. Rosa gallica officinalis was known as the apothecary's rose, as it was widely grown in medieval times for medicinal purposes. Its fragrant, thickly textured petals also were useful in the strewing of floors and in the making of potpourri.

It is intriguing to think that we can still grow versions of the gallica rose in our gardens today -- roses such as my 'Tuscany Superb' (sometimes called 'Superb Tuscan'). This rose first came to ny attention years ago when I saw it blooming in the gardens of a Suffolk manor house in England, and it has since remained my favorite red rose. Not only do its blossoms have the deep crimson petal I've already mentioned, but also crowns of prominent gold stamens, which help to emphasize the dark color surrounding them. The overall effect is jewellike, with the red and gold glistening against large, deep green leave. As might be expected, 'Tuscany Superb' has a strong perfumed. The plant itself has strong stems and upright, compact growth. This old rose can be tucked into a small garden and is hardy in most areas of the country (U.S.D.A Hardiness Zones 4 to 9).

Also intriguing is the red Portland rose 'Rose de Rescht.' Its 2- to 3-inch flowers, each a tightly formed rosette or pompon, are produced in clusters. The color, a vivid fuchsia-red tinted with purple, fades to rosy-magenta as the blossoms age. Not surprisingly, 'Rose de Rescht' is intensely perfumed: one of its ancestors is believed to have been the autumn damask, 'Quatre Saisons' (Rosa damascena bifera). The autumn damask also handed down the desirable trait of repeat flowering, 'Rosa de Rescht' is compact, usually 2 feet by 3 feet, and hardy in Zones 4 to 9.

Fragrant red roses, of course, abound. The hybrid perpetuals, fashionable during Queen Victoria's time, served as a link between the old-fashioned roses and roses of today. In addition to their repeat-blooming characteristic and rich fragrances, most of the hybrid perpetuals are notable for their visual appeal, including such qualities as impressive size and form of the blossoms.

Among these, the stately `Prince Camille de Rohan' is an example of a wonderful dark red rose. When I saw one blooming in a country garden, I thought it was one of the reddest roses I had ever seen. Its flowers are large and full-bodied, opening flat and deepening to black-red as they mature. This rose's only faults lie in the sprawling character of the shrub while still young and in its stems, which tend to be thin and weak.

Another red hybrid perpetual, as unique as it is attractive, is `Baron Girod de l'Ain.' It has double flowers of vivid ruby red, the petals fringed with white. Their shape is cuplike, yet also ruffled and frilly, an impression accentuated by the unusual white edges. The shrub's habit of growth is upright but, like `Prince Camille de Rohan,' a bit straggly. `Baron Girod de l'Ain' has leathery, medium green leaves and prominent thorns.

`General Jacqueminot,' often fondly called "General Jack," is yet another hybrid perpetual of dark red beauty. It's not surprising to learn that this rose, with its long-stemmed, shapely buds and velvety flowers, has been a favorite of florists over the years. `General Jacqueminot' is even worth growing just for its perfume. It is also vigorous and, for the most part, healthy, although it is somewhat prone to rust from midsummer on.

Catalogs often recommend "pegging" General Jacqueminot' and other long-caned roses in order to increase bloom. Most hybrid perpetuals benefit from this method of training, which involves bending the ends of the canes to the ground and securing them with stakes or wire pins. Pegging encourages flowering stems to form along the length of the canes, creating a fountain-shaped plant and a splendid show of blooms. Naturally upright in habit, hybrid perpetuals may also be trained against a fence or trellis. They are reasonably winter-hardy and recommended for gardens in Zones 5 to 9.

Many gardeners have a favorite climbing red rose. The most famous red climber in America is undoubtedly `Blaze.' The month of May would not seem quite right in my part of the country, the Southeast, without visions of scarlet `Blaze' decorating arbors, walls and fences. A glimpse of this vivid red rose tumbling over a freshly painted white fence is a sight to bring sparkle to the most jaded eyes.

While undeniably lacking the intrigue of the older, more legendary roses, `Blaze' compensates with its qualities of toughness and dependability. Its foliage has a dark, leathery appearance, and the plant itself is fast-growing. `Blaze' produces its brilliant double flowers in one heavy spring bloom followed by consistent, albeit less profuse, rebloom throughout summer and fall.