The most noteworthy feature of rose Paul Neyron is the size of the roses, which are considered to be (perhaps) the largest found on any garden rose; immense blossoms of cerise pink may be as much as seven inches wide. Paul Neyron is sometimes referred to as a cabbage rose by our grandmothers, which is somewhat of a misnomer as cabbage rose is the common name for roses in the Centifolia class. Paul Neyron is a Hybrid Perpetual rose, a historic, yet lanky disease-ridden bunch.

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Welcome guest author Charles Waco Bankston, who writes about Hybrid Tea Rose Chicago Peace: Although my time on this Earth began in 1976, much occurred before and much will occur after—I’m certain of it. The 1960’s were anything but uneventful. As a matter of fact, several important events occurred in 1962. Marilyn Monroe died. Iron City Beer invented the pop top (called zip tops) can; the now infamous and ever-excited Tom Cruise was born, and of course, there was the Cuban Missile Crisis. But even more personally exciting to me was the birth of a rose, not just any rose, but one that has won the world over time and time again—Hybrid Tea rose Chicago Peace. Of the Hybrid Tea rose classification, Chicago Peace has become a favorite rose of many, including yours’ truly.

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Rose Pearly Gates is a climbing rose that is suitable for training as a pillar or on a trellis…or better yet my favorite method which is sprawling along a (preferably old) fence. By the way, with all climbing roses get those canes horizontal in order to encourage lateral buds and consequentially more roses. Train the canes when young as they are (like children) more impressionable at an early age…please note I did not use a term like ‘bend them to your will’ - firm and gentle guidance is the way to success.

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Recently, I wrote a briefish introduction to Knockout roses, and with the introduction of Pink Knockout roses and 2007’s Rainbow Knockout roses, there is ample evidence of hybridizing efforts aimed at toning down the brash color of the original Knockout rose while maintaining the vigor and good health charactistics of this line of shrub roses. Excellent roses for beginners, although I heard an interesting point of view from a nursery woman I greatly respect that suggests Knockout roses may end up being a victim of their own success.

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Abraham Darby is one of the most widely grown David Austin English roses, and with good reason. Abraham Darby is a shrub with classic flowers that also has the desired qualities of wonderful fragrance, excellent re-bloom, strong growth and disease resistance. Abraham Darby is the kind of result David Austin had in mind when he began his search for the new English Rose. Large blossoms can vary in color from soft peach to pink to apricot, and each perfectly formed flower is truly lovely. More, the fragrance is rich and memorable.

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Knockout roses have been the rage in recent years. Introduced in 1999 by Star Roses, and an AARS winner, Knockout roses have been the subject of some controversy (the ‘why’ in a bit) within the rose community. Truthfully, I had to conduct some soul-searching of my own about this rose. Even my mother started a crusade to get some type of answer out of me with regards to the Knockout rose. After much consideration, I have to (surprisingly to those who know me and even to myself) give the Knockout rose an enthusiastic thumbs up. A little late perhaps, as it seems the market has already spoken. So what exactly is the deal with Knockout roses?

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Of limited availability, David Austin English rose Sir Walter Raleigh is best suited for experienced gardeners, largely due to the cultural demands required to ensure success. The blossoms, outstanding in form and fragrance, are produced somewhat stingily throughout the season. The blooms are a warm pink, and have been described as being similar to a peony. Watch out for mildew and rust in areas where these maladies are prevalent.

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Named in honor of Jackson Perkins’ chief hybridizer, Bill Warriner is an outstanding rose. Imagine a rose which bears individual blooms of superb form in clustered masses throughout the season; surely, Bill Warriner meets the ideal established for Floribundas over fifty years ago. Color is salmon to coral, and the excellent substance makes Bill Warriner a very good cut rose indeed.

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Prior to the introduction of China and Tea roses to Europe, roses grown there bloomed once per season; bear in mind that the climate for northern and central Europe is characterized by relatively short summers. Most roses would come out of dormancy, bloom, and go dormant again, all within a relatively short time span. While the China and Tea roses brought repeat bloom to Europe, they were not reliably cold hardy in northern reaches. Rose Autumn Damask, introduced into Europe almost two thousand years (yes, twenty centuries) before either China or Tea roses was in fact the first remontant rose introduced into Europe.

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A sport of Red Coat, David Austin English Rose Dapple Dawn bears large, four to five inch blooms of single-flowered form. Warm pink petals move to a creamy white color towards the center of the bloom, and prominent yellow stamens add to the relaxed character of the blossoms. Due to the informality of the flowers, Dapple Dawn makes an excellent choice for the informal or cottage garden. Growing to a robust eight feet, Dapple Dawn does best at the back or middle of the border. Dapple Dawn’s flowers are borne continuously throughout the entire season; often the shrub will be covered in a mass of bloom. Despite a general healthy and vigorous demeanor, Dapple Dawn is slightly susceptible to blackspot.

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