“Old”, is ‘hip’, ‘with-it’, ‘cool’….’phat’, even. And although these terms may not be so ”in” – depending on your generation –, ”heritage”, ”antique”, or simply trusted, beloved and admired things of the past are again “in vogue”.

Clothes that mimic those we relinquished to the rag bag (and wouldn’t be caught dead in) have become the rage, and wind-storm-look hairdos and retro-look furniture have become as coveted as true antique heirlooms are by avid collectors.

Old-time vegetables and flowers are also making a comeback in many a garden, and among these are roses. “Antique/Old Garden/ Heritage” roses, –showing that “heritage” means something. Old is good.

Rose enthusiasts everywhere are turning again to antique roses for their gardens, for good reasons. The many advantages of these old garden roses are being rediscovered. Their general ease of care, as compared to some of their more sensitive, more “modern” cousins, is one of their prized winning attributes. Not all heritage varieties are immune to the dastardly black spot disease, but most suffer little from its effects, and this eliminates the regular spray programs required by more delicate cousins. Other diseases and insects aren’t usually major problems with this group…assuming you have provided them with proper nurture.

Old Garden roses are known for their gloriously abundant perfumes, and they need less major pruning. As more hardy shrubs or climbers, they lend themselves to many landscape uses, allowing them to socialize and adorn our yards with vertical bloom and graceful arches in various areas, as opposed to confinement to one rose bed or area.
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