Are Heirloom Roses or Antique Roses for You?What You Need to KnowHeirloom roses (also called old or antique roses) are all the types of roses that were in existence prior to 1867 when the first hybrid tea rose was introduced in France. | Getting Started | How to Choose | Rose Flower Colors | Roses & Climate | Soil for Roses | Antique roses became less popular with rose gardeners because they did not repeat blooms as the new roses did. Even today, many gardeners still see these old roses as somehow inferior to modern roses.  But, what exactly are heirloom roses like? This type of rose only produce blossoms for two to four weeks during the early summer, whereas modern roses bloom several times during the season. When antique roses do bloom, though, they do so in abundance and the smell is simply intoxicating. If you’re considering adding heirloom roses to your garden (and you should), here are three important things to know before you first plant roses.
1. Heirloom Roses are Diverse and Hardy Antique roses come in an astounding array of colors, sizes, fragrances and flower forms. There are varieties of every shape and size so they can easily fit into your garden space, whether you want short or tall plants or even climbing roses. With the number of different species, you’ll definitely find a variety to suit your personal tastes, so plant roses. Heirloom roses are particularly hardy plants. They are easy to care for and for centuries they thrived even without the use of pesticides. You can also grow them in northern climates. Not all heirloom roses are suitable for northern climates, but if you do your research you’ll find that many species are hardy enough to endure the long winter months of the Northern United States and Canada. Some of the hardiest varieties are:
Damask roses are the least hardy of this group, but they are also the most fragrant and the blooms range in color from white to deep maroon. These roses have a long history of being used in the production of rose oil. Gallica is the most popular species of antique roses, with a pleasant but not overpowering fragrance.
2. They’re Easy to Take Care Of – Really! Your heirloom plant roses should be planted in a spot where you can guarantee at least six hours of sun per day. In terms of soil, you can start with a good quality garden soil and then mix in manure and compost to increase the nutrient levels. You'll need to water the roses regularly, but the key is proper drainage so the rose can have what it needs and the rest can drain away. Antique roses,like most plants, will not thrive if they are in wet, soggy soil for a lot of time. Unlike hybrid roses, this type of rose should not be crowded together. They need room to grow and breathe. Most heirloom roses either do not need pesticides or they have an aversion to them. You will rarely have to use pesticides on them and if you do, you should use them sparingly. Pruning should be done in the spring to remove dead or diseased wood – but don’t prune just for the sake of pruning! Heirloom roses really require no more attention than any other plants in your garden.
3. They’re Worth the Effort Even now you might still be asking yourself, why put in all this effort to plant roses that will only bloom for two to four weeks? The answer is simple... After providing the essentials that any other plant requires, they really take care of themselves and do not require a lot of attention. They truly are captivating plants with brilliant blooms and an intoxicating fragrance, and though heirloom roses may have lost favor with some rose gardeners, there is a long legacy of history attached to these plants. For centuries, they enchanted royals with their sweet smell, and many painters sought to capture the beauty of their short-lived blooms on canvas. You too can experience the profound beauty of heirloom roses by planting one in your garden next spring.
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