Ayrshire Roses (Rosa arvensis)
Plant Profile – Care, Uses and Cultivars of the OGR Ayrshire Rose
Ayrshire roses have been used for hundreds of years in a variety of ways in gardens. Find out why, and how to care for your own piece of Old World charm!
These Old Garden Roses are a newer classification for the American Rose Society, but not new to gardeners.
There is some discrepancy as to whether Ayrshire roses are native to England or developed in Scotland but it is likely many cultivars were nurtured and hybrids developed in Scotland from the Rosa arvensis native to Britain.
Hardiness Zones: Ayrshire roses are usually very cold hardy, some as far north as zones3 or 4, but check specific information for more details.
Bloom Time & Color: Ayrshires usually produce one large flush of fragrant, white or pale blooms in late spring or early summer. Ayrshire blooms are often semi-double.
Foliage: Ayrshire roses have dark green, usually glossy foliage.
Growth Habit: Often called “ramblers” the Ayrshire roses have very long, flexible canes that will fountain out, grow prostrate as a ground cover, or make impressive climbers.
Dimensions: Ayrshire roses can grow to 15’ long or more.
Preferred Conditions: Hardy and non-fussy, Ayrshire roses will tolerate poor soil conditions, shady areas and are more drought tolerant than other roses.
Maintenance: Pruning Ayrshire roses should be done with care, and rarely, as these roses bloom on old wood. Only remove dead, diseased or misplaced canes as needed.
Pests or Diseases: Ayrshire roses are pest and disease resistant.
Companion Plants: Any of the Medieval Era heirloom plants would make excellent companion plants for Ayrshire roses. Also consider pairing Ayrshire roses with other early summer blooming plants.
Uses in the Garden: Ayrshire roses can be used to create a rose fountain effect, grown prostrate as ground cover, on hillside to prevent soil erosion, or allowed to climb up into trees.
Other Uses: Ayrshire roses are excellent for planting on the north or east side of the house or shed because of their shade tolerance. Use along the back of the border and train vertically. Ayrshire roses are also known as “field roses” because the hybrids were often used as informal hedges to delineate fields and boundaries to create a sort of living fence.
Ayrshire Varieties & Cultivars:
- Ayrshire Splendens (Rosa arvensis ‘Splendens’) - Also called ‘Splendens’ and ‘Myrrh Ayrshire’, this rose is a great choice for a rose fountain with pale pink, fragrant blooms, and vigorous growth to 15’. Since pre-1830.
- Ayrshire Queen – Pre-1830 Ayrshire rose also, this has deep pink buds that open to pale flowers flushed with red. Classified as red blend color, the flowers are graceful and fragrant. Another tall Ayrshire reaching 20’.
- Dundee Rambler – Pre-1850 this Ayrshire rose is a very well-known and popular choice because of the double, white flowers with their strong fragrance. Prolific flower clusters on 15’ climber.
- Bennett’s Seedling – Also called ‘Thoresbyana’, this Ayrshire plant is a free-blooming, white flowered shrub with remarkable shade tolerance. Hardy to zone 5 without protection it will grow about 10’ tall.
- Janet B. Wood – From 1786 this Ayrshire shrub with its semi-double white blooms has been enjoyed in gardens. This rose will grow to 30’ if given support.
Sources: Cultivar information is based on American Rose Society “Handbook for Selecting Roses” 2007. Additional information on using roses in the garden was found in The Heirloom Country Garden by Sarah Heffner. Historic information was also found in The Rose Book by Graham Stuart Thomas and Paul Barden's website on historic roses.
