10 roses for a Victorian rose garden

4th August, 2023

If you live in a Victorian terrace or larger Victorian home and are looking for garden ideas, why not create your own beautiful Victorian rose garden, border, or even just a few pots on a balcony or steps, using roses that were popular during the Victorian era. Many of the modern rose cultivars have only been developed in recent decades. The roses below are old roses, that were all either already in existence when the Victorian era began, or were bred during the 19th century.

1. Duchess de Brabant Rose - This rose is a beautiful shade of light pink and has a delicate fragrance. It was first introduced in 1857 and is considered a classic Victorian rose.

2. Madame Isaac Pereire Rose - A deep shade of pink, this rose has a strong, spicy fragrance that was favoured by the Victorians. It was introduced in 1881 and is still a popular choice for gardeners today.

3. Alba Maxima Rose - One of the oldest roses still in cultivation, the Alba Maxima has pure white flowers with a subtle fragrance. It is a vigorous grower and is often used for hedging.

4. Mme. Plantier Rose - This rose is a pure white and has a sweet fragrance. It was introduced in 1835 and is still popular in gardens today for its hardiness and long blooming season.

5. Mrs. John Laing Rose - A deep pink rose with a strong fragrance, the Mrs. John Laing was introduced in 1887. It has large, full blooms and a long blooming season.

6. Souvenir de la Malmaison Rose - A pale pink rose with a strong fragrance, the Souvenir de la Malmaison was introduced in 1843. It has large, full blooms and is named after the Château de Malmaison, the home of Napoleon Bonaparte's wife, Josephine.

7. Charles de Mills Rose - A dark red rose with a strong fragrance, the Charles de Mills was introduced in 1790 and is one of the oldest known red roses. It is a vigorous grower and is popular in cottage gardens.

8. Baroness Rothschild Rose - This rose is a pale pink with a strong fragrance and was introduced in 1867. It has large, full flowers and is named after the famous Rothschild banking family.

9. Comte de Chambord Rose - A pale pink rose with a strong fragrance, the Comte de Chambord was introduced in 1860. It has large, full blooms and is a good choice for use in floral vase arrangements.

10. Zephirine Drouhin Rose - This rose is a deep pink colour and has a strong fragrance. It was introduced in 1868 and is known for its thornless stems, making it a popular choice for use in gardens and for cutting for bouquets.