History of Garden Roses

Moss and China roses

Moss

Moss roses are characterised by having moss-like aromatic glands on the calyx and stem. They are descended from two originals - Rosa x centifolia 'Muscosa', a sport of R. x centifolia and 'Quatre Saisons Blanc Mousseux', a sport of the Autumn Damask. In the 19th century the two races were merged and many hybrids were bred. Moss roses are highly scented and were great favourites in Victorian times.

China

This group was developed from four roses derived from R. chinensis, which were introduced into Europe from China , in the late 18th and early 19th century. R. odorata (R. chinensis x R. gigantea) together with another China, founded the group known as Tea Roses, so called because their scent resembled the odour of freshly packed tea.

China roses were mainly valued for their continuous flowering habit. They were crossed with the existing European Roses to produce the Hybrid China, Portland , Bourbon and Noisette groups.

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