An ancient group of roses derived from R. canina and R. gallica. They tend to be strong growing shrubs with well-scented white to pale pink flowers and few thorns. Foliage and stems tend to be greyish. These roses require very little pruning except for the removal of very old wood once established (after flowering) and perhaps the shortening of any growths by one third in February.

These first appeared as mutations of Centifolia roses in 1720, in which the sepal, calyx and stems have a mossy growth. This is particularly attractive in the bud stage and has a noticeable balsam-like fragrance when touched. Later repeat flowering and more compact hybrids evolved from the Damask roses, although these do tend to be rather less mossy. Very popular in Victorian times.

This group has two distinct sections; the Summer Damasks and the Autumn Damasks. The former flower once only and are large, thorny quite open growing shrubs with intensely fragrant pink to white flowers. The latter and their allies the Portland roses are shorter more compact shrubs with the ability to repeat flower in Autumn, their colour range also includes red varieties. Prune by removing old and dead wood in winter. It is recommended that the recurrent varieties have their stems shortened by one third.

A group believed to have been started by the natural hybridisation of a China rose and the Autumn Damask on the Ile de Bourbon, the first recorded variety being in 1824. This original was then crossed with Gallicas and damasks to create a fantastic assortment of mostly repeat flowering hybrids.

These are all derived from Rosa rugosa, a native of Japan and Siberia which is extremely hardy and exceptionally disease resistant with a wonderful wrinkled foliage, a strong fragrance and an ability to repeat flower. Many varieties carry huge round red hips in Autumn.

Centifolia Roses

The "Cabbage" or "Provence" roses. These first appeared in the late 16th Century as a cross between Autumn Damask and an Alba rose. They tend to have large globular blooms of white or pink and to be rather lax in habit. All are fragrant and extremely hardy. Prune as for Albas.

A wonderful group of repeat flowering shrub roses. The flowers are medium sized and come in large clusters. Many are strongly scented. There is a good range of colours which tend to be of delicate hues. Can be left unpruned to form dense shrubs but to achieve good quality blooms and Autumn flowering remove spent flower heads in Summer and shorten shoots by one third in Winter.

First introduced from China in 1792, these roses were admired for their repeat flowering properties. They mostly tend to make small twiggy shrubs if left unpruned, although some, given time will even climb. In smaller gardens they can be hard pruned to maintain a more compact plant.

These are distinct from most ramblers in that they tend to have larger blooms, the ability to repeat flower and be of stouter growth. They all require support and it is essential that they are well tied into their structures. Plants are best trained horizontally at first to prevent any legginess and and encourage a spreading habit. Once established they are pruned by reducing side shoots to two or three buds from the main stem and tying in any new long growths.

These are more pliable in growth than Climbers and generally flower only once. The individual blooms tend to be smaller and come in large trusses, but for sheer quantity of bloom they are unsurpassed. some of the very vigorous sorts can be trained up through trees or used to smother unsightly buildings etc. They require very little pruning apart from a shortening of lateral growths and the usual removal of any dead, diseased or spent wood in winter.