Hybrid Perpetual roses are interesting from a historical perspective because they provide a link between the past and present of rose breeding. During the latter part of the 19th century, rose competitions were at their height, and breeders focused much of their attention on developing plants which would produce exhibition-quality buds. Bred on a large scale for repeat bloom and quality of flower, unfortunately, other qualities were sacrificed. As shrubs, many hybrid perpetuals' are stiff, uprightish affairs, lacking much of the grace of the older roses. While remontant as the name suggests, Hybrid Perpetuals still cannot compete with Hybrid Teas or Floribundas with regard to consistency or quality of bloom.

With the advent of the Hybrid Tea, the breeding of Hybrid Perpetuals began to decline and very few are grown today. However, for those who are interested in growing a rose that perhaps no one else in the community has, and which is undemanding once established, is easy to grow, and has beautiful flowers, there are some beautiful Hybrid Perpetual Roses still offered commercially. Below are some suggestions...

'Baronne Prevost', 1842 Large, quartered blossoms on a double bloom of soft pink on an erect shrub which grows four to five feet. Baronne Prevost is a reliable repeat bloomer and nicely fragrant.

'Paul Neyron', 1869 Very famous 'cabbage rose' (though not a Centifolia!) of many of our grandmothers' gardens. Huge six to seven inch fragrant blooms of a rich pink. In the past, Paul Neyron was considered to have the largest flowers of all roses, and still hard to beat.

'Reines des Violettes' ,1860 The 'Queen of the Violets' is a favorite rose of many, the flowers mature from a deep purple to a soft violet over time. A note here, as the purple color of this beauty still moves towards pinkish tones. Flower is old rose form and reliably repeats; combine these attributes with a nearly thornless, disease-resistant habit, and you have a truly outstanding rose.