Bourbon Roses Reblooming Antiques

The Repeat-Blooming Old Garden Rose Plant

© Angela England

Bourbon roses were the first of the Old Garden Roses to have a repeating bloom period. These antique roses range in color and form but were very popular and fragrant...

Bourbon roses seem to have originated in the early 1800’s as the natural result of hybridization between two native hedge roses. Bourbons were popular for their repeat blooming habit and fragrance but many were susceptible to blackspot or mildew diseases.

Hardiness Zones: Bourbons generally grow well in zones 5-10.

Bloom Time & Color: Bourbon roses appear in midsummer and then again in the fall for a second flush of blooms. The roses can be semi-double or double and are a wider variety of colors such as red, pink, purple or white. The bourbon rose flowers are highly fragrant.

Foliage: Bourbon roses have deep green foliage that can be susceptible to blackspot or mildew.

Growth Habit: Bourbon roses are highly varied in growth habit and growing anywhere from compact hedge shrubs, or trained as climbing roses. See specific bourbon rose cultivar information for details.

Dimensions: Bourbon roses range in height between 2’ and 10’ tall.

Preferred Conditions: Bourbons prefer full sun and moist well-drain soil. They also do not like to be overly crowded which can make them more prone to blackspot or mildew diseases.

Maintenance: Prune younger canes back by about one-third in late winter before the roses break dormancy since bourbons flower on new wood so early pruning will encourage prolific growth. Mulch around the rose plants to prevent water from splashing up onto the foliage which can encourage disease growth.

Pests or Diseases: Bourbon roses are prone to blackspot and mildew so try to find resistant cultivars or plant them in areas with good are circulation.

Companion Plants: Bourbon roses do well with other cottage garden plants, fragrant flowers or herbs.

Uses in the Garden: Use as hedge plants or train your bourbon rose plant as a climber up a trellis, arbor or wall.

Specific Cultivars: All cultivar information is given with the name of the cultivar, any known alternative names, bloom form and color and the American Rose Society (ARS) rating if known.

See other Old Garden Roses

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.


The copyright of the article Bourbon Roses Reblooming Antiques in Plants & Bulbs is owned by Angela England. Permission to republish Bourbon Roses Reblooming Antiques must be granted by the author in writing.




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