22 Popular Heirloom Roses to Grow This Season

Heirloom roses, also called Old Garden or Antique Roses, are generally classified as any roses grown prior to 1867, when the first modern hybrid tea rose was bred. After this date, hybrid teas took over in popularity, and the perfect florist-style bloom was prized over fragrance or disease resistance.

While hybrid teas have their place, there’s been a modern resurgence in the desire for hardy, intensely fragrant roses that recall the blooms of the past. Some breeders, like David Austin, focus on blending vigorous roses with old-world style.

‘Souvenir de la Malmaison’ has nearly thornless canes. It smells of apples and cloves. It will bloom repeatedly throughout the season. Its original title was ‘Queen of Beauty and Fragrance’.

‘Souvenir’ grows to a mid-sized shrub at about four feet high. It stands up well to heat but dislikes a lot of rain (often causing its blooms to ball). Inducted into the World Rose Society’s Old Rose Hall of Fame in 1991 for its genealogical and historical importance, this iconic garden rose is a must for all who love old roses.

 ‘Rosa Mundi’

	botanical name Rosa Gallica ‘Variegata’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3’-4’
	hardiness zones 4- 8

‘Rosa Mundi’ is a gorgeous Gallica rose whose pale pink petals are striped with fuchsia. Another Old Rose Hall of Fame winner, ‘Rosa Mundi’ is an extremely hardy and disease resistant antique that blooms profusely for about six weeks starting in spring.

‘Rosa Mundi’ comes with an interesting tale. Legend says that it was named for “Fair Rosamund”, the mistress of King Henry II, who ruled until 1189.

When Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine discovered Rosamund, she poisoned her out of jealousy. After Rosamund’s death, ‘Rosa Mundi’, a never before seen rose of great beauty, arose from her grave.

Even without the accompanying legend, ‘Rosa Mundi’ is a fascinating ancient rose still valued today. Its lovely smell has recently inspired a Diptyque candle. It’s a showstopper at Jefferson’s gardens at Monticello, where it’s been grown since 1791.

‘Rosa Mundi’ is vigorous and unbothered by pests or disease and winter hardy to -40 ℉. It will sucker from the roots, spreading to form a bushy shrub smothered in blooms. Plant this rose in full sun or part shade and imagine you’re in a royal love triangle!

‘Mutabilis’

	botanical name Rosa Chinensis ‘Mutabilis’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 6’ – 10’
	hardiness zones 7- 10

‘Mutabilis’ is an old China Rose of unknown origin. It’s been beloved worldwide since a Swiss botanist noticed it growing in the gardens of the Italian Prince of Angera in 1891 and spread the word.

‘Mutabilis’ is most remarkable for its delicate single blooms, which open light cream and look as if someone painted them with pink and yellow watercolors. As they age, the flowers darken to crimson.

Many blooms at different stages give this large shrub the effect of many different colors blooming at the same time. Also called “The Butterfly Rose”, ‘Mutabilis’ looks like a flurry of butterflies in varied colors have alighted on the bush.

Designated the Earth Kind Ⓡ Rose of the Year in 2005 for its resistance to disease and drought, this is a very easy-to-grow rose. It will spread up to 10 ft. tall and wide when happy, so be sure to give it lots of space. Disguise its bare, somewhat leggy canes with ornamental grasses or nepeta for an informal, pretty look.

‘Rose de Rescht’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Rose de Rescht’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 3’ –4’
	hardiness zones 4-9

‘Rose de Rescht’ is well known for its deep, classic old rose fragrance and dark magenta blooms. It’s incredibly tough and sturdy. This variety received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

  Its origins and classification are somewhat murky. An English garden writer claimed to have brought it to the UK from Iran in 1940, but others have stated it originated in France in 1800. It’s been classified as a Portland, Gallica, and a Damask rose.

Regardless of its origin, you’ll want ‘Rose de Rescht’ in your garden for the fragrance alone. One of the strongest scented roses available, its beauty isn’t to be overlooked either.

‘Resht’s’ quartered rosette flowers pack in 100+ petals. The shrub stays fairly tidy at 3-4 ft. tall and can be tucked into the garden easily. It prefers full sun but will do quite well in the shade.

‘Rose de Rescht’ will rebloom in flushes during the season. It has short stems characteristic of Portland roses, which give the effect of flowers covering the full shrub when in bloom.

This rose is low-maintenance and requires no spraying for disease or common rose pests. If you want an easy introduction to Heirloom roses, ‘Rose de Rescht’ is a great place to start.

‘La Belle Sultane’

	botanical name Rosa Gallica ‘Violacea’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 5’- 7’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Of unknown origin, records of this rose originate to The Netherlands in the late 1700s. Its single to semi-double blooms have a dusky, velvet quality. They are a deep crimson-violet, with contrasting golden stamens. ‘La Belle Sultane’ blooms for several weeks in late spring.

This beautiful rose was named for Aimée Dubucq de Rivery, who according to legend, was seized by pirates on a voyage from France to Martinique in 1784.

She was taken to Sultan Abdul Hammed of the Turkish Empire, who wed her. Renowned for her beauty and draped in jewels, Aimée gave birth to a son who became sultan, making her La Sultane. Her story has been memorialized in novels and film, and this ravishing rose is a fitting tribute.

‘La Belle Sultane’ is very fragrant and, if left unpruned in the fall, it will develop pretty scarlet hips. Its dark color adds an air of mystery to the garden.

‘Rosa Gallica Officinalis’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Gallica Officinalis’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 3’– 5’
	hardiness zones 3-8

No Heirloom rose list would be complete without ‘Rosa Gallica Officinalis’. This rose, dating back to at least the 12th century, was prized by early cultivators for its luscious perfume, vibrant color, and medicinal uses.

‘Rosa Gallica Officinalis’, native to ancient Persia, earned the title of ‘Apothecary’s Rose’ and was often found framing the door of village apothecaries. It served as the symbol for the House of Lancaster in the War of the Roses. More recently, ‘Rosa Gallica’ was inducted into the Old Rose Hall of Fame.

If you’ve ever smelled a rose perfume, you will recognize the dramatic old rose fragrance of ‘Rosa Gallica Officinalis’. It produces loads of heavily fragranced, intense magenta blooms every spring on a large shrub full of bright green foliage.

 ‘Rosa Gallica’s’ open form is loved by bees. It’s a tough, low-maintenance choice for the garden. Plant it this year and enjoy the beauty others have cherished for centuries.

‘Crépuscule’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Crépuscule’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 6’ – 12’
	hardiness zones 6- 10

‘‘Crépuscule’, French for “twilight”, shimmers with the golden colors of the sunset. This is a tea-noisette rose with large nodding blooms and a graceful climbing habit. ‘Crépuscule’ blooms in late spring and puts on a striking show of double apricot flowers, with small repeat flushes all summer.

This rose is a vigorous grower and will need the support of a sturdy trellis or arbor to reach its full potential. Fortunately, it has very few thorns and long canes that are easy to train. It has a sweet musky scent and glossy green foliage.

If you prefer not to train ‘Crépuscule’ vertically, you can let it sprawl. Left to its own devices, it will grow into a giant weeping shrub. Popular in many modern gardens, ‘Crépuscule’ wins me over with its drought tolerance and resistance to disease and pests.

‘Autumn Damask’

	botanical name Rosa Damascena ’Bifera’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun- Part shade
	height 4’-6’
	hardiness zones 4-10

The oldest known repeat-flowering rose, ‘Autumn Damask’ is the parent of many Old Garden roses. Historians believe it was brought from Syria to Europe sometime in the 13th century.

In France, ‘Autumn Damask’ is known as ‘Quatre Saisons’ for its ability to bring beauty in all four seasons. It has frilly mid-pink blooms, attractive gray-green foliage, and beautiful oblong red hips in winter.

Damask roses have an intense rose scent, used to create the Attar of Roses that forms the base of many perfumes. In your garden, it will be a beautiful and historic accompaniment to your other perennials.

 ‘Autumn Damask’ has a showy flush in spring, followed by a smaller bloom in autumn. It is vigorous and slow spreading, up to 5 feet.

Damasks tend to resent heavy pruning, so allow this one to grow into its natural shape, removing small or crossing canes as necessary. Plant it in full sun to dappled shade and remember to enjoy that classic rose scent!

‘Zéphirine Drouhin’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Zephirine Drouhin’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun- Part shade
	height 12’ – 20’
	hardiness zones 6- 11

Old Bourbon Rose ‘Zéphirine Drouhin’ is hard to beat for its lush, romantic style. Old Bourbon Roses originated on the island of Réunion in the 1800s. They’re known for big, large double blooms and heavenly fragrance.

‘Zéphirine Drouhin’  blooms with continual flushes of vibrant pink flowers. It’s a large climber, reaching up to 20 feet, that looks particularly breathtaking, trained along an arch or stone wall. A huge perk for high-traffic areas or families with children: ‘Zéphirine’ is nearly thornless! 

This rose grows best in warm climates. It will put up with quite a bit of shade, a big advantage if you lack sun in your space. Sadly ‘Zéphirine Drouhin’ lacks the disease resistance of many of the heirloom varieties.

While still a hardy rose, monitor ‘Zéphirine Drouhin’ for signs of stress and remove any diseased foliage as necessary. This lavish rose is worth the extra effort! 

‘Red Moss’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Henri Martin’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 5’-6’
	hardiness zones 4- 11

Moss Roses, not to be confused with the annual moss rose ‘Portulaca’, are a fascinating variety for your collection. The stems, buds, and sepals have a fuzzy appearance due to pine-scented glands that cover them, like moss.

‘Red Moss’ is a stunning member of this family, with a long flush of old-fashioned, petal-packed fuschia to crimson flowers.

Rated as one of the top Old Garden roses by the American Rose Society, ‘Red Moss’ makes beautiful cut flowers. It’s highly fragrant, fast-growing, adaptable, and tough.

It climbs to a max height of 6 ft. or so and appreciates some support via a trellis. Plant ‘Red Moss’ not only as a beautiful representative of this unusual category of roses but for its eye-catching waved blooms and lavish scent.

‘Rêve d’Or’

	botanical name Rosa ‘’Rêve d’Or’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun- Part Shade
	height 10’-18’
	hardiness zones 7- 9

‘Rêve d’Or’, meaning “Golden Dream”, is a pale gold Earth Kind rose with hints of deeper apricot. It’s a sturdy climber reaching up to 18 feet. It blooms in flushes from spring through fall.

It was Earth Kind’s Rose of the Year in 2010 for outstanding performance and disease resistance. In the right climate, ‘Rêve’ is carefree and gorgeous.

It’s especially recommended for warm areas where roses are prone to powdery mildew, as it seems to sail through the common fungal issue with ease.

‘Rêve d’Or’ has informal double blooms and a light tea rose fragrance. It is a tea noisette, a descendant of the crossing between old China, musk, and hybrid tea roses.

With larger blooms than regular noisettes, ‘Rêve’ enchants when allowed to climb and trail gracefully over arches and pergolas. Some say the fall flush is the best, with the perfect touch of golden color at the end of the season.

‘Burgundian Rose’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Pompon de Bourgogne’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 2’ – 3’
	hardiness zones 4- 9

This adorable rose is a miniature member of the Centifolia family. Centifolias (“one hundred petals”), also called Cabbage Roses, are characterized by globular, thickly petaled blooms and overall hardiness. The ‘Burgundian Rose’ is a stellar example, with dark pink to cerise flowers and a charming button eye.

Even when not in flower, ‘Burgundian’s’ tiny leaves and dense, bushy habit make for an attractive shrub in the garden. It prefers full sun and looks lovely planted en masse or in a long row to form a hedge.

‘Burgundian Rose’ is an early American favorite and is still found in the gardens at Monticello and Mt. Vernon. It will bloom from May through June, with abundant perfumed flowers.

Image Credit: Nadiatalent via Wikimedia Commons (Use Allowed With Attribution)

‘Reine des Violettes’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Reine des Violettes’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun- Part Shade
	height 3’-4’
	hardiness zones 4- 9

Introduced in 1860, this  ‘Queen of the violets’ is a hybrid perpetual. This is a group of roses known for vigorous growth and adaptability. It has lilac-pink, quartered blooms that open flat. ‘Reine des Violettes’ is a lovely, mid-size climber.

‘Reine’ has sumptuous, slightly peppery, old rose fragrance and nearly thorn-free canes. It will repeat flower throughout the season but appreciates deadheading for maximum bloom.

This rose is a heavy feeder, so keep it happy with a good organic fertilizer in early spring, midsummer, and before fall flush.

The gray-green foliage and violet shades of this plant have made it a winner for over 100 years. It stands up well to harsh weather and disease. If you don’t have support for it to climb, ‘Reine’ is a good candidate for “pegging” (bending arched canes and fixing them to the ground) and will respond with even more abundant blooms.

‘Madame Plantier’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Madame Plantier’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun- Part Shade
	height 5’– 12’
	hardiness zones 3-9

If you love creamy neutrals, you’ll love cold hardy Alba hybrid ‘Madame Plantier’. With pink-tinged buds that open to clusters of delicate blushed ivory, it’s easy to see how ‘Madame’ earned the nickname “Bride’s Rose”.

‘Madame Plantier’ has a strong, sweet fragrance that perfumes the garden. It grows quickly and is quite tall when mature at 12 feet. It makes a beautiful backdrop for short-statured blue and purple perennials. 

In many climates, ‘Madame Plantier’s’ first flush heralds the return of spring. It blooms for several weeks and begs to be cut for whimsical, fluffy bouquets.

Thriving on neglect, this sweet rose is known to grow in old cemeteries and abandoned homesteads. In your garden, it likes something to climb but won’t need much attention beyond training its graceful, arched canes.

Bred in 1835 to honor a family member of hybridizer Jacques Plantier, this rose has history and beauty on its list of attributes. With adorable green pips and outer petals that reflect back slightly, it’s an excellent substitute for the hard-to-find look-a-like ‘Madame Hardy’.

‘The Bishop’

	botanical name Rosa Gallica ‘Purpuro-Violacea Magna’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun- Part Shade
	height 4’-6’
	hardiness zones 4-9

‘The Bishop’ is beloved for slow color transformation. It has full, cherry red rosettes that fade to gray-violet. Grown since 1790, ‘The Bishop’ looks just as lovely in contemporary gardens.

‘The Bishop’ has unusual, rolled petals and a compact upright habit. It works well in a mixed border with other fragrant perennials. For best performance, plant this Centifolia in full sun with dappled afternoon shade. It flowers for several weeks in early spring.

‘The Bishop’ makes beautiful cut flowers that will perfume your home. A must for fans of the highly sought purple and blue-toned roses! 

‘Dupuy Jamain’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Dupuy Jamain’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4’ – 5’
	hardiness zones 6-10

With profuse high, centered blooms in vivid cerise-pink, ‘Dupuy Jamain’ is easy to love. Bred and named for esteemed Parisian horticulturist Dupuy Jamain, this rose was popularized in the 1860s. ‘Dupuy’ looks beautiful in containers, and blooms from spring through frost.

‘Dupuy Jamain’ is a hybrid perpetual, favored in the Victorian Era. It has strong, upright canes, and short stems, which results in flowers that look nestled among the bright green leaves.

 Best of all, ‘Dupuy’ has a truly delicious old rose fragrance. Though quite hardy, “Dupuy Jamain’ is somewhat susceptible to rust in humid climates. Be on the lookout for discolored leaves, and dispose of them before the fungus can spread. Kept healthy, this rose will be a showstopper in your garden.

‘Alba Maxima’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Alba Maxima’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 5’ – 6’
	hardiness zones 4- 11

A cross between Rosa Gallica and the wild dog rose, ‘Alba Maxima’s’ snow white blooms have been memorialized in paintings of the Italian masters from the 1400s. ‘Alba’ has smooth gray-green leaves and luscious double blooms. It grows about 6 feet tall and has one awe-inspiring spring flush.

 ‘Alba Maxima’ has a distinct elegant perfume and is one of the longest-living roses of all time. It was the model for the White Rose of York in the famed War of the Roses starting in 1455, and still has a regal appearance today.

‘Alba Maxima’ will flourish in the garden of even the laziest gardeners and can thrive in poor soils. It is a common survivor in abandoned historic rose gardens and will be just as tough for you!

‘Reine Victoria’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Reine Victoria’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 5-’7’
	hardiness zones 6-10

Rose show champion ‘Reine Victoria’ is a majestic beauty named for the English queen. It is a lovely upright shrub with fully cupped, lush pink blooms.

‘Reine Victoria’ is rarely without flowers, all season long, despite lack of deadheading. Its elegant flowers and long stems make it a perfect candidate for the cut flower garden. Sometimes called the ‘Shell Rose’ for its distinctive bloom shape, the delightful fragrance puts it over the top.

‘Reine’ is a fast grower and performs best in full sun. It looks lovely in large pots or at the back of the border behind creamy white annuals. If you love pink and British royalty, you won’t be disappointed in this honorific rose.

‘Lady Banks’

	botanical name Rosa Banksiae
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 20’-40’
	hardiness zones 7-10

I find myself recommending this stunning rambler over and over! Whether you choose soft, violet-scented ‘Normalis’ or the popular yellow ‘Lutea’, it’s hard not to fall in love with ‘Lady Banks’.

‘Lady’ is a giant rambler that grows up to 40 feet tall. It flowers in one thrilling show for 4-5 weeks in early spring, with attractive glossy foliage the rest of the season. Evergreen in zones 9-11, ‘Lady’ is not to be missed in large gardens.

You can train her to climb or let her sprawl into a large, mounded shrub. This rose is maintenance-free and only requires pruning if you’d like to keep its growth in check. Even better, her canes are thornless, so no worries if you have kids and pets playing in the garden!

A natural addition to woodland or cottage gardens, ‘Lady Banks’ looks equally striking when used to soften formal topiaries and hardscapes. A favorite since botanist Joseph Banks named it to honor his wife in 1807, this rose has a major impact in the garden!

‘Variegata di Bologna’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Variegata di Bologna’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 6’ – 10’
	hardiness zones 5-9

I can’t resist adding another antique striped variety to this list. Award-winning ‘Variegata di Bologna’ draws the eye with white blooms striped in light purple to crimson, on a wide, bushy shrub.

‘Variegata’ has double, cupped blooms that grow up to 5 inches across. Its intoxicating scent makes up for some disease susceptibility, which usually strikes in warmer climates. This rose has the tendency to throw out some long, leggy canes and work beautifully when trained vertically alongside clematis.

‘Variegata’s’ best flush is in early spring, but it will have occasional repeats in summer and early fall. If you love striped roses, try Italian ‘Variegata’ for fragrance, vigorous growth, and large, densely petaled flowers.

‘General Jacqueminot’

	botanical name Rosa ‘General Jacqueminot’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 4’ – 7’’
	hardiness zones 5- 10

Often called ‘General Jack’ this old garden staple has raspberry red, globular blooms, highlighted by a pale reverse. The parent of many iconic hybrid teas, ‘General’ has long stems and lasting flowers perfect for cutting.

‘General Jacqueminot’ was bred in 1853 and named for a French general in the Napoleonic wars. It has a strong fruity scent and color that deepens attractively in the shade.

Plant ‘General Jacqueminot’ near the back of the border or train it to frame your porch. It is the perfect accompaniment to chartreuse sedums and wispy baptisia.

A standout hybrid perpetual that is sometimes hit by powdery mildew in humid climates, this rose is worth a bit of fuss!

‘Harison’s Yellow’

	botanical name Rosa ‘CHEwpatout’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3’-8’
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Harison’s Rose’, a bright canary yellow rose, is also known as the “Oregon Trail Rose” and the “Yellow Rose of Texas”. First grown in New York in 1830 by gardener George Harison, this rose was so cherished that pioneers traveling west made a place for it in their wagons.

Many of them ended up in Texas, where the rose soon grew so prolifically that it was thought to be a native plant by subsequent generations.

Still found growing beautifully in untended sites along the Oregon Trail, ‘Harison’s Rose’ will tolerate drought, intense heat, and total neglect. Its big cheerful blooms alert passers-by to the start of spring. It does produce suckers, so be on the lookout if you don’t want it to spread.

 ‘Harison’s Yellow’ is the ultimate rose for lovers of bright colors and American history. Its semi-double flowers are irresistibly sunny, with matching stamens. Even better, you won’t have to spend any time fretting over this one. A proven survivor, ‘Harison’s Yellow’ is one resilient rose!