Stop and smell the roses.

(If you can find one that's fragrant).

    What do Penelope, Yellow Lady Banks, Lamarque, Zephirine Drouhin, and Madame Antoine Mari have in common?  They are all varieties of antique roses.  In recent years antique roses have been growing in popularity.  Why antique roses vs modern roses?  One reason is because of their historic interest.  As antique roses have been hybridized only by nature there is a high probability that the bloom you admire today looks the same as it did when it was brought West by an American pioneer woman, or cultivated by a Chinese emperor.

    Also, because antique roses have not been breed like their modern counterparts they are often more fragrant, easier to maintain, and display handsome foliage.  There are many varieties of antique roses that actually thrive on neglect as evident by the many species found in old cemeteries and abandoned homesites.  Many modern roses on the other hand require constant attention and have had to forgo scent and beautiful foliage in favor of striking colors and long bud forms.  So of course it's no surprise that antique roses are taking back their rightful place in today's gardens.  Who doesn't want a beautiful smelling, great foliage, easy to maintain rose bush?

    Caring for your antique roses is still quite simple.  Plant them in rich, well fertilized, drained soil.  Make sure the location gets plenty of good healthy air movement and at least 6 hours of sun a day (morning sunlight is preferrred).  Give it a good soaking every 7-10 days.  And if you are planting in a pot rather than a flower bed remember to fertilize and water more frequently.

    Follow these steps and quite literally your great, great, great, ect. . . .grandchildren could enjoy the same beautiful rose plants as you do today.