Lorraine Lee: Perhaps Alister Clark’s Finest legacy Probably breeder Alister Clark’s finest legacy, Lorraine Lee is a pink to coral Hybrid Gigantea-Tea rose, available either as large shrub or climber. You can read a bit more about Clark on our rose breeders page. We have the climber in our back garden, and it seems this … Read moreLorraine Lee
This is one of the earlier of the Austin English roses. Bred in 1986, it is no longer actively marketed due to it being superseded by better varieties. That means you may find it difficult to get a bush from a commercial nursery. Your best bet is to find somebody with a plant and beg … Read moreOthello
The Rugosa rose, also known as Japanese rose and Ramanas rose. This beautiful flowering shrub is native to Asia and was first seen in China, Japan and Korea where it grows along the coastline in sandy soiled areas. The name ‘Rugosa’ rose actually comes from the Japanese word ‘Hamans’ which means ‘shore pear’, due to its prickly bush like foliage. The … Read moreWild Roses: Rugosa
Rosa Virginiana (Virginia Rose) Also known as Rosa Virginiana, this species is common on the East Coast of the United States, but can go as far west as Arkansas and as far north as Quebec and Ontario. It is a perennial shrub, much like the multiflora and swamp species. Left unchecked, it can reach six … Read moreRosa Virginiana
This variety has been around for a while now (1960) but is still very popular. A rich pink with a darker tone on the underside of the petals, it has a medium fragrance and tends to be a little too thorny for my liking. It won an ARS award the year after release (1961). One … Read moreDuet Rose
Abraham Darby, bred in 1985 and part of David Austins English Rose collection. Rated by Austin as one of the more fragrant of his creations, this will make a great specimen shrub, or a small climber. Beautiful orange, peach coloring of Abraham Darby One Of The Best This rose has a lot going for it. … Read moreAbraham Darby
You won’t often see this rose, it’s a little hard to obtain. But if you can get one, then it makes a great addition to any garden. While generally found as a shrub, you can train it to climb if you have the right conditions. Individually, these flowers are quite pretty, but nothing special. It’s … Read moreCocktail, Red Floribunda