Landscaping with Species Roses - Part 2

Continuing with our discussion of Species roses are

Chinensis (= Indicae)

This rose grouping single-handedly set modern rosedom on its nose! It is from this group that all red roses and all repeat-blooming roses have descended. Growth of these roses varies in all forms; however, they are usually upright is growth pattern and range in size from 3 - 10 ft. (1 - 7 m). Leaflets vary from five to seven per leaf, flowers form in small clusters, and hips are round. Colors range from all the rose shades - pink, white, purple and red.

The two primary roses in the Species group are Rosa chinensis or 'China Rose' and R. gigantea. Also, included in this group are R.x. borboniana the progenitor of the Bourbons and R. ordata One rose, 'The Green Rose' (R. viridiflora) is a popular curiosity grown by many floral suppliers and rosarians interested in a "conversation piece."

Modern rose groupings are the Bourbons, Chinas, Hybrid Perpetuals, Noisettes, Teas, Hybrid Teas and Climbing Hybrid Teas.

Banksiae

Members of this group are vigorous climbers, growing easily to 20 ft. (7 m). What makes them fun to use in landscaping is their relative lack of prickles. Although flowers - usually white or yellow - are small, they form large clusters.

The group is distinctive in that it contains only four Species roses, originally named after the wife of Sir Joseph Banks, Curator for The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew around 1807. Although their origin is from China, they were introduced to the West from 1807 to 1870. The most popular are R. banksia alba plena ('White Lady Banksia') and R. banksia lutea ('Yellow Lady Banksia'). As a piece of rose trivia, the largest rose in the world is a 'Yellow Lady Banksia' which covers some 8000 sq. ft.

Laevigatae

This grouping is composed of only one Species rose and some of its hybrid offspring. So named for its smooth foliage, R. laevigata or 'Cherokee Rose' was originally discovered off the east coast of China in 1759, but later introduced to North America and allowed to naturalize. Blooms are white, large and borne singly on stems with very large, hooked prickles. If left to its own desires, this rose will easily grow to 20 ft. (7 m) and spread to form a dense thicket.

Near the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, hybrids of this rose were created to add color to the bloom. These include 'Anemone Rose' (a pink), 'Cooper's Burmese' (a cream white) and 'Red Cherokee' (a light red).

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