Old Garden Roses provide a wealth of landscape design opportunities. The gardener, having made the "how, why, where and which" decisions, has yet another choice to make with regard to OGRs - recurrency.
The rose groups making up the OGRs are roughly divided by landscape designers into those which bloom only once and those we say are "recurrent" or repeat-blooming. Looking again at the IRAR's OGR classifications, this division would look generally as follows:
Once-blooming OGRs
- Alba
- Ayrshire
- Boursalt
- Centifolia
- Cl. Moss
- Damask*
- Eglanteria*
- Gallica
- Hybrid Alba
- Hybrid Canina
- Hybrid Foetida*
- Hybrid Multiflora*
- Hybrid Sempervirens*
- Hybrid Setigera*
- Hybrid Spinosissima*
- Moss*
- Species
* indicates some recurrent forms exist however sporadic
Recurrent OGRs
- Bourbon
- China
- Cl. Bourbon
- Cl. China
- Cl. Hybrid Perpetual
- Cl. Tea
- Hybrid Bourbon
- Hybrid Bracteata
- Hybrid China
- Hybrid Perpetual
- Noisette
- Portland
- Tea
As a side note, consideration must be given to the length of time between rebloom on recurrent roses. For gardeners in extreme northern or southern latitudes - where growing seasons can be quite short - the decision to use recurrent roses may be a mute point. That is, the length of time between rebloom of recurrent roses may be so long, the use of non-recurrent roses may actually display the same or even more flowers than if recurrent roses are selected.
Once-blooming OGRs landscape uses
Old Garden Roses lend themselves to many gardening forms and effects. I particularly like to use tall-growing, once-blooming OGRs as a backdrop in the garden. Their flush of bloom can extend for several weeks, and when finished, the foliage can provide a "canvas" in front of which other blooming perennials and annuals can be displayed.
Another excellent use of once-bloomers is as structure covers. Tall-growing specimens of these roses can easily be used to cover arbors, arches and pergolas. After their spring flush of bloom, the foliage remains to provide cooling shade for the summer garden visitor.
In cooler climates, 'Eglantine'(R. eglanteria) makes an excellent choice for covering arbors. After the flush of bloom, the foliage exudes an apple scent to enchant those who dwell under the cooling foliage. Although it can be grown in warmer climates with a bit of summer care and protection, my experience has been it is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zone 6 (-10°F/-23°C) and cooler.
In warmer climates, the OGRs of choice for covering arbors are the Hybrid Multifloras. Two excellent choices are R. multiflora carnea (a white) and 'Seven Sisters' (a pink). Both will easily grow to 15 ft. (4.5 m).
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