Mail Order Rose Bushes New Zealand
At Wairere Nursery in the Waikato you will find the largest selection of mail order Roses in New Zealand. Climbing, Bush, Shrub, Austin, Hybrid Teas, Floribundas, Rambling, Patio, Heritage and Species roses are all stocked at Wairere. Roses of every colour from the crisp whites of 'Iceberg' and 'Pascali' to the sensuous reds of 'Dublin Bay' and 'Deep Secret' or maybe you would prefer the warm yellow blooms of 'Graham Thomas' or 'Friesia'. Looking pretty in pink are 'Compassion', 'The Fairy' and 'Abraham Derby' and there are enough scented roses to fill any garden with fragrance. Harry and Lloyd are willing and able to help with your selection and with their years of experience can offer you specialist knowledge on how to get the best from your roses. Wairere Nursery has been delivering roses to gardeners through-out New Zealand for more than 20 years and will carefully package and freight your selection direct to your door. Browse our secure web-site for rose shopping 24/7 or give us a call on 07-824-3430 for personal assistance. You are also most welcome to visit our nursery situated at 826 Gordonton Road, Hamilton which is open 7 days per week.
Roses that were new to us in 2018
Roses that are new to us in 2019
Originally thought to be a species, Alba roses are now known (through modern DNA tests) to be an ancient natural hybrid of Rosa canina and Rosa damascene. Rosa canina commonly known as the "Dog Rose" earned its name from the thorns that were said to represent the teeth of the dog i.e. Canines and Rosa damascena refers to the origins of this Rose i.e. Damascus in the Middle East. The Romans who did indeed roam (for roam read conquer) are purported to have introduced Alba Roses to Britain. Rosa x alba quickly adapted to its new habitat and grew wild throughout ancient Britain. The name Alba literally translated means white and some historians say this may be why Britain was known as The Isle of Albion in ancient times but I think it is more likely to refer to the White Cliffs of Dover or perhaps it was because the ancient Brits were a pale and pasty lot! No package deals to Majorca in those days.
Alba roses all have the following characteristics:-
-White or pastel summer flowers that are delightfully fragrant
-Large grey-green foliage on slender stems
-Upright tall growth habit
-Very hardy with good disease resistance
-Low maintenance with only a light prune required after flowering
The most famous Alba rose is commonly known as "The White Rose of York", used as an emblem for the House of York during the War of the Roses (1455-1485). This rose is still grown and loved by modern gardeners today with the only battle being fought at the local Horticultural Society.
Alba roses all have the following characteristics:-
-White or pastel summer flowers that are delightfully fragrant
-Large grey-green foliage on slender stems
-Upright tall growth habit
-Very hardy with good disease resistance
-Low maintenance with only a light prune required after flowering
The most famous Alba rose is commonly known as "The White Rose of York", used as an emblem for the House of York during the War of the Roses (1455-1485). This rose is still grown and loved by modern gardeners today with the only battle being fought at the local Horticultural Society.
I don't think it would be an over-statement to say that David Austin is probably the most important and influential rose breeder of modern times. David Austin roses have reignited a fierce passion for roses world-wide and introduced a whole new generation of gardeners to this most beautiful of blooms.
Born in 1926, on a farm in the English Midlands where he still resides, David started his breeding programme with the objective of combining "the best of the old with the best of the new". His first releases were crosses between Gallicas and Floribundas producing "Constance Spry" in 1961 and "Chianti" in 1967. Two lovely roses but only once flowering, the main aim was to produce reliable "repeaters". This was achieved in 1969 with the release of The Canterbury Tales series.
Around about the 1980's David Austin started to use the brand "English Roses" but such is our association with the man and his roses that these wonderful roses are simply and affectionately called "David Austin's" or just plain "Austin's".
International success was achieved in 1983 with the release of "Mary Rose" and "Graham Thomas". In 2009, 26 years after release, "Graham Thomas" was voted the "World's Favourite Rose" by the World Federation of Rose Societies. Many other awards followed for both the man and the roses. "Princess Alexandra of Kent" and "Munstead Wood" are two recent releases which have received top awards for fragrance.
David Austin has been awarded an OBE, the Victoria Medal of Honour by the Royal Horticultural Society, the Dean Hole Medal by the Royal National Rose Society, an Honorary MSc from the University of East London and a lifetime achievement award from the Garden Centre Association in 2004.
In the family owned rose nursery where David Austin now works along side his son, David junior, roughly 300,000 rose seeds are planted every year in order to find the next magical Austin to delight rose lovers around the world. Modern Austin roses have the desirable characteristics of good vigour and fragrance but to me their very best feature is that they are at their most beautiful when fully open. Simply irresistible!
Born in 1926, on a farm in the English Midlands where he still resides, David started his breeding programme with the objective of combining "the best of the old with the best of the new". His first releases were crosses between Gallicas and Floribundas producing "Constance Spry" in 1961 and "Chianti" in 1967. Two lovely roses but only once flowering, the main aim was to produce reliable "repeaters". This was achieved in 1969 with the release of The Canterbury Tales series.
Around about the 1980's David Austin started to use the brand "English Roses" but such is our association with the man and his roses that these wonderful roses are simply and affectionately called "David Austin's" or just plain "Austin's".
International success was achieved in 1983 with the release of "Mary Rose" and "Graham Thomas". In 2009, 26 years after release, "Graham Thomas" was voted the "World's Favourite Rose" by the World Federation of Rose Societies. Many other awards followed for both the man and the roses. "Princess Alexandra of Kent" and "Munstead Wood" are two recent releases which have received top awards for fragrance.
David Austin has been awarded an OBE, the Victoria Medal of Honour by the Royal Horticultural Society, the Dean Hole Medal by the Royal National Rose Society, an Honorary MSc from the University of East London and a lifetime achievement award from the Garden Centre Association in 2004.
In the family owned rose nursery where David Austin now works along side his son, David junior, roughly 300,000 rose seeds are planted every year in order to find the next magical Austin to delight rose lovers around the world. Modern Austin roses have the desirable characteristics of good vigour and fragrance but to me their very best feature is that they are at their most beautiful when fully open. Simply irresistible!
Bourbon Roses are named after Ile de Bourbon a small island in the Indian Ocean (now known as Reunion) which was once a French Colony but is now an "Overseas Department of France", whatever that means. The Bourbon Rose was a natural cross between Rosa chinensis and Rosa damascena bifera, these two pollen parents being a popular choice for hedging on the Island so there was obviously some horticultural hanky-panky going on in the hedge-rows. There are several disputed claims as to who saw this chance seedling first however it remains undisputed that seeds of this "new" rose were sent to France around 1817. There they were grown by the head gardener to King Louis-Philippe and became known as "Rosier de I'lle Bourbon". A very similar rose - many say exactly the same - grew in the Calcutta Botanic Gardens around the same time and was known in India as Rose Edouard. Perhaps the original seed was more widely distributed than first thought?
Still, no matter who did what with whom and where they were when they did it, there is no doubt that French horticulturists were the first to recognize the potential of the Bourbon. They went on to reproduce an extremely popular group of roses which we still enjoy in our gardens today. Perhaps the most celebrated of these is Souvenir de la Malmaison - named after Empress Josephine's garden at Malmaison. The Empress, better known to gardeners as a great Rosarian rather than being the second Mrs Bonaparte continues to be a constant and important thread in our Rose story. Souvenir de la Malmaison is a rose that loves the warmth perhaps harking back to its origins in that little Island in the sun. Other desirables are La Reine Victoria, Mme Isaac Pereire, Mme Ernst Calvat and Commandant Beaurepaire (Vince's favourite Rose) - I know, that's a "treadful" joke!
Still, no matter who did what with whom and where they were when they did it, there is no doubt that French horticulturists were the first to recognize the potential of the Bourbon. They went on to reproduce an extremely popular group of roses which we still enjoy in our gardens today. Perhaps the most celebrated of these is Souvenir de la Malmaison - named after Empress Josephine's garden at Malmaison. The Empress, better known to gardeners as a great Rosarian rather than being the second Mrs Bonaparte continues to be a constant and important thread in our Rose story. Souvenir de la Malmaison is a rose that loves the warmth perhaps harking back to its origins in that little Island in the sun. Other desirables are La Reine Victoria, Mme Isaac Pereire, Mme Ernst Calvat and Commandant Beaurepaire (Vince's favourite Rose) - I know, that's a "treadful" joke!
The importance of Rosa chinensis in the Rose story cannot be under-estimated. Without the parent genes of this species we would not have roses that have the ability to repeat bloom from spring until autumn. Sadly, the original species is now thought to be extinct but with China being such a huge country I, for one, am hopeful that it will be re-discovered growing happily in some little sheltered spot being cared for tenderly by an unassuming gardener. It's entirely possible (if not a little romantic) as the Chinese have cultivated Roses from about 3000BC. Confucius (551 - 479BC) recorded that a large number of roses had been planted in the Imperial Gardens in Peking and roses are certainly depicted in Chinese art from the 10th century onwards though the rose were was never as revered as the prestigious Chrysanthemum.
The first descendant of Rosa chinensis to reach Europe is thought to be the hybrid "Old Blush" AKA "Parson's Pink" which was planted in Holland in 1781 and no doubt transported to England from there. 8 years later a red form was found growing in Calcutta and brought to England by Gilbert Slater of the British East India Company, this rose is known today as "Slater's Crimson China". These 2 humble roses are responsible for the remontancy in all the many and beautiful roses that we grow today. "Old Blush" is also an important forbear of Miniature Roses.
The first descendant of Rosa chinensis to reach Europe is thought to be the hybrid "Old Blush" AKA "Parson's Pink" which was planted in Holland in 1781 and no doubt transported to England from there. 8 years later a red form was found growing in Calcutta and brought to England by Gilbert Slater of the British East India Company, this rose is known today as "Slater's Crimson China". These 2 humble roses are responsible for the remontancy in all the many and beautiful roses that we grow today. "Old Blush" is also an important forbear of Miniature Roses.
A Climbing Rose is really just a shrub rose that decided to get upwardly mobile - and aren';t we glad they did. Many of today's favourite roses, both Floribunda and Hybrid Tea have a climbing version. Even if you don't have a large garden but still have a desire to grow roses then think about decorating a wall, fence or trellis with a climbing rose. Climbing roses add a whole new heady dimension to the garden and allow us to enjoy our favourite blooms at nose or eye level.
Climbing roses differ from Rambling roses in that they have more upright, thicker and stiffer stems or canes, with larger flowers which are produced throughout the season. Climbing roses are usually pruned in winter or early spring, along with shrub roses, whereas a "Rambler" is usually pruned immediately after flowering in summer.
It is important to establish a good framework for your Climbing rose in the first 2-3 years of growth. During this period you will have to do very little pruning except for any wayward shoots that apear outside your desired framework. Secure and train the upward canes in a fan shaped horizontal pattern. Lateral or side shoots will apear from these main canes and this is where your flowers will come from. These can be pruned back to about 1/3 of their growth in winter once your rose is established.
So step outside and look around. Is there a bare wall or a naked fence that would look so much better being dressed by a beautiful rose? Is there an area where a rose covered trellis would add some needed structure with a definite wow factor? With Climbing Roses no need to stay at ground level - rise above and let your imagination soar!
Climbing roses differ from Rambling roses in that they have more upright, thicker and stiffer stems or canes, with larger flowers which are produced throughout the season. Climbing roses are usually pruned in winter or early spring, along with shrub roses, whereas a "Rambler" is usually pruned immediately after flowering in summer.
It is important to establish a good framework for your Climbing rose in the first 2-3 years of growth. During this period you will have to do very little pruning except for any wayward shoots that apear outside your desired framework. Secure and train the upward canes in a fan shaped horizontal pattern. Lateral or side shoots will apear from these main canes and this is where your flowers will come from. These can be pruned back to about 1/3 of their growth in winter once your rose is established.
So step outside and look around. Is there a bare wall or a naked fence that would look so much better being dressed by a beautiful rose? Is there an area where a rose covered trellis would add some needed structure with a definite wow factor? With Climbing Roses no need to stay at ground level - rise above and let your imagination soar!
If you love roses and you love picking them, then you will love and apreciate the modern Hybrid Tea rose. These long stemmed beauties with their high pointed buds and elegant formal blooms are adored all over the world. Essential to modern flora culture, where would our florists be on Valentine';s Day without a red Hybrid Tea rose?
The foliage is usually large, dark green and glossy. The growth habit is short, bushy and sturdy. Of course they flower continuously and are ideal for mass display. Hybrid Tea roses are widely used for grafting onto a tall standard to provide height for formal planting schemes. If you do not have a large garden and still want a good variety of roses then Hybrid Teas will perform well in a container. Many are fragrant but not all. Talk to us if you particularly wish to choose by fragrance.
As with many roses we initially have the French to thank for the Hybrid Tea rose that we know today. Way back in 1867 Jean Baptiste Guillot of Lyons spotted a seedling with a difference amongst his rose stock. It is reported that far from being a carefully bred rose, that some unplanned promiscuity between the 2 parent roses resulted in this accidental seedling. It took some time for the rest of the world to agree that this rose was indeed something quite different and unique, as well as desirable. Once accepted, this new style of rose was embraced completely and now there are literally thousands to choose from.
Mr. Henry Bennett of England and the McGredy family of Ireland continued the development of Hybrid Tea roses. Sam McGredy, a 4th generation member of this prestigious horticultural family, relocated to NZ in the 1970';s and many world famous Hybrid Teas have been bred right here in NZ.
Some of the world';;s best loved roses are Hybrid Teas. At Wairere we have over 600 of them listed on our database, mostly in bush form; however some are also available as climbers. Look for such elegant beauties as "Aotearoa", "Loving Memory", "Margaret Merrill", and "Peace", to name just a very few.
If you love roses and you love picking them, then you will love and apreciate the modern Hybrid Tea rose. These long stemmed beauties with their high pointed buds and elegant formal blooms are adored all over the world. Essential to modern flora culture, where would our florists be on Valentine';s Day without a red Hybrid Tea rose?
The foliage is usually large, dark green and glossy. The growth habit is short, bushy and sturdy. Of course they flower continuously and are ideal for mass display. Hybrid Tea roses are widely used for grafting onto a tall standard to provide height for formal planting schemes. If you do not have a large garden and still want a good variety of roses then Hybrid Teas will perform well in a container. Many are fragrant but not all. Talk to us if you particularly wish to choose by fragrance.
As with many roses we initially have the French to thank for the Hybrid Tea rose that we know today. Way back in 1867 Jean Baptiste Guillot of Lyons spotted a seedling with a difference amongst his rose stock. It is reported that far from being a carefully bred rose, that some unplanned promiscuity between the 2 parent roses resulted in this accidental seedling. It took some time for the rest of the world to agree that this rose was indeed something quite different and unique, as well as desirable. Once accepted, this new style of rose was embraced completely and now there are literally thousands to choose from.
Mr. Henry Bennett of England and the McGredy family of Ireland continued the development of Hybrid Tea roses. Sam McGredy, a 4th generation member of this prestigious horticultural family, relocated to NZ in the 1970';s and many world famous Hybrid Teas have been bred right here in NZ.
Some of the world';;s best loved roses are Hybrid Teas. At Wairere we have over 600 of them listed on our database, mostly in bush form; however some are also available as climbers. Look for such elegant beauties as "Aotearoa", "Loving Memory", "Margaret Merrill", and "Peace", to name just a very few.
A new concept for confined spaces, the climbing Patio rose offers even those with the smallest of gardens an oportunity to admire roses at eye level. Seldom growing more than 2m with a nice upright habit these little darlings are very well behaved and easy to manage. Full of blooms from spring until autumn with dense disease resistant foliage.
Climbing Patio roses will grow very hapily in a container; however this does mean that you will have to be committed to a regular watering and feeding regime to ensure a top performance. As you will be admiring the beautiful blooms as you go about your task it will hardly be arduous. Use to bring some softness to dull areas of the house or garden, ideal for training up a down-pipe or pillar.
Be sure to check out our page on Patio shrub roses as well.
Climbing Patio roses will grow very hapily in a container; however this does mean that you will have to be committed to a regular watering and feeding regime to ensure a top performance. As you will be admiring the beautiful blooms as you go about your task it will hardly be arduous. Use to bring some softness to dull areas of the house or garden, ideal for training up a down-pipe or pillar.
Be sure to check out our page on Patio shrub roses as well.
A new concept for confined spaces, the climbing Patio rose offers even those with the smallest of gardens an oportunity to admire roses at eye level. Seldom growing more than 2m with a nice upright habit these little darlings are very well behaved and easy to manage. Full of blooms from spring until autumn with dense disease resistant foliage.
Climbing Patio roses will grow very hapily in a container; however this does mean that you will have to be committed to a regular watering and feeding regime to ensure a top performance. As you will be admiring the beautiful blooms as you go about your task it will hardly be arduous. Use to bring some softness to dull areas of the house or garden, ideal for training up a down-pipe or pillar.
Be sure to check out our page on Patio shrub roses as well.
Climbing Patio roses will grow very hapily in a container; however this does mean that you will have to be committed to a regular watering and feeding regime to ensure a top performance. As you will be admiring the beautiful blooms as you go about your task it will hardly be arduous. Use to bring some softness to dull areas of the house or garden, ideal for training up a down-pipe or pillar.
Be sure to check out our page on Patio shrub roses as well.
Rambling roses offer so much to the gardener. They are fast growing tough and vigorous. Use to cover fences, pergolas, old sheds and buildings or simply throw up a tree and allow to drip down with falling sprays of beauty. Rambling roses should be left to gain some height and width for the first few years and as they gain maturity the lax and graceful branches will literally be weighed down with blooms in late spring. Rambling roses don't often repeat flower but the quantity and length of bloom in spring will more than satisfy even the greediest gardener.
If you wish to prune or tidy, this is best done after flowering in summer as Ramblers flower on what is called the "old wood" i.e. the previous season';;s growth. Only winter prune if severe treatment is needed, obviously this may compromise the flowering the following spring. No need to worry however as you will find it very hard to kill a modern rambling rose. So go outside and look up to where you would like to see pretty rather than ugly then scroll down and choose a robust rambler which will quickly provide the solution.
If you wish to prune or tidy, this is best done after flowering in summer as Ramblers flower on what is called the "old wood" i.e. the previous season';;s growth. Only winter prune if severe treatment is needed, obviously this may compromise the flowering the following spring. No need to worry however as you will find it very hard to kill a modern rambling rose. So go outside and look up to where you would like to see pretty rather than ugly then scroll down and choose a robust rambler which will quickly provide the solution.
Rambling roses offer so much to the gardener. They are fast growing tough and vigorous. Use to cover fences, pergolas, old sheds and buildings or simply throw up a tree and allow to drip down with falling sprays of beauty. Rambling roses should be left to gain some height and width for the first few years and as they gain maturity the lax and graceful branches will literally be weighed down with blooms in late spring. Rambling roses don';;t often repeat flower but the quantity and length of bloom in spring will more than satisfy even the greediest gardener.
If you wish to prune or tidy, this is best done after flowering in summer as Ramblers flower on what is called the "old wood" i.e. the previous season';;s growth. Only winter prune if severe treatment is needed, obviously this may compromise the flowering the following spring. No need to worry however as you will find it very hard to kill a modern rambling rose. So go outside and look up to where you would like to see pretty rather than ugly then scroll down and choose a robust rambler which will quickly provide the solution.
If you wish to prune or tidy, this is best done after flowering in summer as Ramblers flower on what is called the "old wood" i.e. the previous season';;s growth. Only winter prune if severe treatment is needed, obviously this may compromise the flowering the following spring. No need to worry however as you will find it very hard to kill a modern rambling rose. So go outside and look up to where you would like to see pretty rather than ugly then scroll down and choose a robust rambler which will quickly provide the solution.
Do you enjoy wearing perfume or cologne? If so then give a thought to the ancient Damask Rose that is highly valued for its fragrance and subsequent production of Rose Oil or "Attar of Roses". Introduced to Europe by the returning Crusaders (no not the Canterbury Super 14 team) Damask roses quickly became popular and were widely used by Apothecaries of the day for "medicinal" purposes, with rose water being seen as a cure for almost every ill. I supose if you weren't cured at least you would smell better! Today hundreds of fields of Damask roses are still grown in Kazanlik, Bulgaria for the production of Attar of Roses. Can you imagine 3 tonnes of rose petals? That's what it takes to produce just 1kg of rose oil. The petals must be harvested between 5am and 10am as once the heat of the day commences then much of the valuable oil is lost. It must be a wonderful sight to see all the roses in full bloom just before harvesting. So when buying a Damask Rose you know that you are going to be rewarded with a deliciously fragrant rose. David Austin himself acknowledges the role of the Damask Rose in providing perfume for his modern day "English Roses." Other characteristics are subtle, soft grey/green foliage, very thorny shoots and summer flowers in varying shades of pink on short stalks. Many varieties will cope with poor soil and a little light shade. Add a little history to your planting scheme with these sensuous classic beauties.
As we leave the 1920’s behind and the birth of suburban life begins the modern Floribunda Rose starts to make an appearance. Compact and free flowering, this style of rose was just what modern gardeners were looking for. Initially these roses were known as Hybrid Polyanthas which we learnt last week means many flowered. The Americans, who were leaders in the development of this new style of rose, preferred the term Floribunda which they started to use in the 1930’s and this is the term still used by Rosarians today. Poulsen Roses of Denmark did some of the initial breeding of Floribundas producing a rose called Red Riding Hood which led to two more Floribundas called Else Poulsen and Kirsten Poulsen introduced in 1924. The American Nursery Jackson and Perkins continued the development and introduction of many new Floribundas and at one time this family owned nursery was renowned as the world’s largest rose grower. To name drop just a few famous Floribundas: - where would we be without[C1] Iceberg (and its many permutations), Margaret Merrill, Sexy Rexy or Satchmo? A personal favourite of mine is Queen Elizabeth not because I am an avid royalist but it was the first rose I learnt the name and history of when I was a budding pre-teen gardener. The main characteristic of Floribunda Roses is that their flowers are carried in large clusters or sprays giving a mass display often from spring right through to autumn.
Two of my very favourite "old" roses, "Anais Segales" and "Complicata" belong to the Gallica family and if they can be considered typical of the species then they are very easy to grow. R."Anais Segales" can be seen on many an old farm entrance way or fence line in NZ and can be recognized by its showy rich mauve blooms with the most exquisite petal formation.
If you don't notice the flowers immediately you will certainly smell the delicious perfume wafting through the air in early October as "Anais Segales" is one of the first roses to flower in spring. R. "Complicata" by way of contrast is a simple single rose of show-off pink and in full bloom it is a wonderful sight.
Gallica roses are another ancient species, and Rosa gallica Officinalis is better known as the Apothecary's Rose or Red Rose of Lancaster. Remember the War of the Roses between Lancaster and York? The White Rose of York is actually Rosa alba. The roses represented the warring factions of Lancaster and Yorkshire. Today peace is kept by R. damascena versicolor also known as R. York, and Lancaster which is a combination of blush pink and white.
Anyway back to Gallica roses which are characterized by neat rounded foliage with a serrated edge in a soft grey green tone. The plants are usually well contained at a height of no more than 1.5m. Warning: if grown from a cutting they will sucker and spread which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Most garden centre plants will be grafted and therefore not prone to spreading out of control. Many Gallicas have a strong fragrance but not all, so check out our individual descriptions. The flower colour ranges from deep pink to purple. Nice ornamental hips in autumn. The older wood has small bristly thorns but new growth is relatively thorn less.
One of the best features of the Gallica group is that they thrive in poor soil. So if you thought you didn't have the right conditions to grow good roses try a Gallica, we're sure you will be pleased with the results.
When you are shoping for roses, the Hybrid Musk rose will not be shouting out "Pick me, pick me" like its more flamboyant cousins. This does not mean that these quietly understated roses should be overlooked. For me they add a solid background of beauty to the rose garden or shrubbery.
The flowers tend to be simple and small; some are single but most are double. They have attractive prominent stamens and a soft musky perfume. The flowers apear in sprays or clusters on long branches and there are plenty of them. The excellent repeating characteristics of Hybrid Musk roses ensure that the blooms will continue from spring through to autumn even without regular dead heading. Small hips provide ongoing interest into winter.
The dark green foliage is usually glossy and healthy and there are relatively few thorns compared to many other varieties. Hybrid Musks are very hardy and will tolerate poorer soils without making too many demands for extra fuss and attention. Hybrid Musks are versatile and can be used as small climbers, background fillers or informal hedges. Look for some of our reliable favourites:- "Buff Beauty", "Ballerina", "Cornelia" and "Moonlight".
Hybrid Musks probably owe their personality to the man who was responsible for the development of this group of roses - Clergyman Joseph Pemberton from Essex, England. His parishioners were obviously very well behaved as Mr. Pemberton had the time to pursue his passion for rose breeding. He released his first rose on the market in 1913 and continued his breeding work until his death. What a fitting memorial that the modern gardener continues to admire and apreciate his efforts.
As our Rose journey continues we leave behind the intrepid adventurers and plant hunters and step forward into the world of modern Rose breeding which really got in to gear with the Hybrid Perpetual Group. Hybrid Perpetual Roses evolved from deliberate crosses between Noisettes, Boubons, Portlands and Hybrid Chinas in an attempt to extend the flowering period of roses beyond summer. Hybrid Perpetuals dominated between 1840 and 1900 and in this frantic period of rose breeding it is estimated 800 plus "new" Hybrid Perpetual roses were introduced. Many have French names which, indicates that the French Rose Breeders were still highly active, in the world of horticulture that is. This period in history also saw the rise in popularity of exhibiting blooms as cut flowers at competitive Rose Shows (the War of the Roses), many roses being bred just for this purpose. In general, this group develop into large plants with large blooms that carry a powerful fragrance. Paul Neyron, Ferdinand Pichard and La Reine are typical of the form.
Characteristics of Hybrid Perpetual Roses
- Tall and Upright in Habit
- Large blooms that are often cupped and quartered
- Colour range white, pink, crimson, maroon and striped
- Fragrant
- Recurrent i.e. flower more than once a season
- Pruned after flowering
Characteristics of Hybrid Perpetual Roses
- Tall and Upright in Habit
- Large blooms that are often cupped and quartered
- Colour range white, pink, crimson, maroon and striped
- Fragrant
- Recurrent i.e. flower more than once a season
- Pruned after flowering
The birth of the ubiquitous Hybrid Tea rose occurred around the mid 1880’s and eventuated from some fairly random crosses between Hybrid Perpetual and Tea Roses. The resulting off-spring were not called Hybrid Teas but classified according to the dominant pollen parent. It wasn’t until 1884 that Hybrid Tea Roses were listed (in a catalogue put out by Dickson’s of Northern Ireland) as a distinct group. Many years later in 1898 the National Rose Society finally accepted these “new” roses as a separate class. In modern times Hybrid Teas have been re-classified officially as “Large Flowered Roses”. However in all my many years of working in horticulture I have never heard them referred to as such and it seems the term Hybrid Tea is here to stay. La France, a beautiful pink rose bred in 1867 by French nurseryman Jean Baptiste Guillot is acknowledged as the first official Hybrid Tea. Henry Bennett from the UK, to whom the term Hybrid Tea is attributed without any sense of pride or prejudice, was also an important early breeder of Hybrid Tea roses. Henry’s lovely rose, Lady Mary Fitzwilliam (1882) figured in the parentage of many future cultivars. Another rose to command early attention was Mme Caroline Testout (1890) named after the Parisian dress designer. Madame promoted this bright pink rose in her salon which, “voila” led to its instant success. Modern Hybrid Tea roses, of which there are literally thousands of cultivars, have quite a mixed pedigree but are characterized by their sturdy long stems, pointed buds and large elegant flowers that open out to display a symmetrical spiral of petals, usually of good substance. Naturally Hybrid Teas repeat well and are often fragrant with glossy leathery foliage. Here at Wairere we love the sweet simplicity of Dainty Bess, Ellen Wilmott and Mrs Oakley Fisher, 3 desirable single roses bred in the 1920-30’s. Big Purple, Double Delight, Elina, First Love, Ingrid Bergman, Loving Memory, Pascali, Remember Me and Tequila Sunrise are all fine examples of quality Hybrid Tea roses and of course no list would be complete without the much loved Peace rose which has been an enduring favourite since 1945. Click here to check out our full list of Hybrid Tea roses.
Matthews Roses range of varieties are selected not only for their beautiful flowers and fragrance, but for their hardiness, health and easiness to grow in New Zealand conditions. Every plant they produce has been grown with care for over 2 years on the nursery. With generations of rose growing experience, you can trust a Matthews Rose to perform in your garden.
Moss roses are generally accepted as being part of the Centifolia Group (rose of 100 petals). They are easy to recognise because of the "bristles" or "whiskers" that cover the stems and buds. In the rose world this designer stubble is known as "moss". The green or bronze coloured moss is full of aromatic resinous oils and is sticky to the touch. Gardeners in the Victorian era were enchanted by the Moss Rose and this is when it was at the height of its popularity. There is no definite record as to when or how this quirk of nature occurred though the original Moss rose Rosa centifolia muscosa is accepted as being a sport of Rosa centifolia. Moss Roses are mentioned in written records from the early 1700's onwards.
Characteristics of Moss Roses
- "Mossing" of stems, buds and sometimes the base of leaves
- Small and compact habit
- Blooms that are beautifully fragrant
- Colour ranges from deep purple, pink white and striped
- Prune after flowering
Some of our favourites are Chapeau de Napoleon, Shailers White Moss, Nuits de Young, Marechal Davoust and William Lobb.
Characteristics of Moss Roses
- "Mossing" of stems, buds and sometimes the base of leaves
- Small and compact habit
- Blooms that are beautifully fragrant
- Colour ranges from deep purple, pink white and striped
- Prune after flowering
Some of our favourites are Chapeau de Napoleon, Shailers White Moss, Nuits de Young, Marechal Davoust and William Lobb.
These Roses are new to Wairere Nursery for this season.
Back in the late eighties when I first became enamoured with Old Fashioned Roses there were many Noisette Roses on my "must have" list. At the time I was discussing them with a knowledgeable Rosarian who was quick to tell me that the name wasn't pronounced like the English word for noise i.e. "Noise-ettes" but it was pronounced "Nwah-zeht's" as per the French language. Now that I know these roses were bred and developed by the French born Noisette brothers, Philippe and Louis this makes perfect sense. What doesn't make sense is that Noisette is actually the feminine French word for Hazlenut, so these roses aren't noisy, just a little nutty... but I digress.
Noisette Roses eventuated from a deliberate cross between a hybrid Rosa chinensis, namely "Old Blush" (the importance of which we have previously mentioned) and Rosa moschata. This cross was done in 1803, in the USA, by John Champney, hence we have the rose called "Champney"s Pink Cluster" which is the official flower of Charleston. Mr Champney passed on a seedling to his friend Philippe Noisette who at the time resided in Charleston and ran the first specialist rose nursery in the USA. Philippe in turn sent seed and plants to his brother in France who named the first seedlings Les Rosiers de Philippe Noisette. Eventually this was shortened to Noisette.
Characteristics of Noisette Roses
- Small to medium blooms often borne in clusters
- Very fragrant
- Light green glossy foliage
- Thorny Stems
- Many are climbers
- Pruned in Winter
- Most flower more than once a season
Some of our favourites are Lamarque, Celine Forestier, Mme Alfred Carriere, Crepuscule, and Gloire de Dijon to name a few.
Noisette Roses eventuated from a deliberate cross between a hybrid Rosa chinensis, namely "Old Blush" (the importance of which we have previously mentioned) and Rosa moschata. This cross was done in 1803, in the USA, by John Champney, hence we have the rose called "Champney"s Pink Cluster" which is the official flower of Charleston. Mr Champney passed on a seedling to his friend Philippe Noisette who at the time resided in Charleston and ran the first specialist rose nursery in the USA. Philippe in turn sent seed and plants to his brother in France who named the first seedlings Les Rosiers de Philippe Noisette. Eventually this was shortened to Noisette.
Characteristics of Noisette Roses
- Small to medium blooms often borne in clusters
- Very fragrant
- Light green glossy foliage
- Thorny Stems
- Many are climbers
- Pruned in Winter
- Most flower more than once a season
Some of our favourites are Lamarque, Celine Forestier, Mme Alfred Carriere, Crepuscule, and Gloire de Dijon to name a few.
Even the name of this group of roses indicates that they are the very latest in modern rose breeding. Bred for their compact and well behaved habit they are the rose for those of us with small gardens, courtyards and of course patios. Undemanding yet so rewarding, Patio roses suit even the non-gardener. Basically they are just a down-sized version of a floribunda or cluster flower rose.
Bred to simply flower their heads off, they will give you a non-stop display from spring through to autumn. The small dense foliage has good disease resistance and the plants have a vigorous hardy attitude adding to their desirability. Obviously Patio roses are ideal for container growing but can also be used for group planting in flower beds. We have a large range to choose from in either bush or upright standard form.
Perfect for a special gift perhaps combined with a nice pot to complement the flower colour. We're sure everyone can find a perfect spot for one of our perfect little Patio roses.
This small but important Group of Roses have a rather confused and muddy ancestry. For many years Portland Roses were considered to be an ancient chance cross between Rosa chinensis semperflorens (Slater's Crimson China) and Rosa damascena bifera. Respected Rosarian Peter Beales wrote in his definitive work "Classic Roses":- I am of the opinion that no China Rose was in any way involved in this scattering of pollen. Not surprisingly Peter has been proved right as DNA tests have shown that the Portland Roses have no Chinese Ancestry and in fact inherit their good looks, fine fragrance and remontant habit from the Damask and Gallica.
Rosa portlandica AKA as Rosa paestana and "Duchess of Portland" arrived in England around 1780 or so and was first listed in a Nursery Catalogue in 1782. The Nursery in question was most likely to be Lee and Kennedy of Hammersmith, London who were instrumental in introducing many new plants to the acquisitive horticulturists of the era. Not only did they import the first China Rose in 1787 and the first Fuchsia in 1788, in 1818 they also introduced Roses grown on standards, an idea they pinched from the French. Sacre bleu! Lee and Kennedy were suppliers to the Empress Josephine"s garden at Malmaison and were given special dispensation to continue to supply Josephine's garden despite the Napoleonic Wars. The Portland Rose is said to be named after the II Duchess of Portland a passionate collector and keen botanist. During the 1800's Portland Roses were bred intensively in France being highly valued for their brightness of bloom. Despite their desirability and importance in rose history eventually Portland Roses were out-classed by their own off-spring, the upstarts we know as the Hybrid Perpetual Group. Luckily we can still show them the respect they deserve and plant such beauties as "Jacques Cartier" and "Comte Chambord" in our gardens today.
Characteristics of Portland Roses
- Tidy and compact habit
- Short stems
- Fragrant
- Deep red or pink blooms that are very double
- Prefer rich soil
- Prefer Winter pruning
- Remontant i.e. flower more than once a year usually summer and again in autumn
Rosa portlandica AKA as Rosa paestana and "Duchess of Portland" arrived in England around 1780 or so and was first listed in a Nursery Catalogue in 1782. The Nursery in question was most likely to be Lee and Kennedy of Hammersmith, London who were instrumental in introducing many new plants to the acquisitive horticulturists of the era. Not only did they import the first China Rose in 1787 and the first Fuchsia in 1788, in 1818 they also introduced Roses grown on standards, an idea they pinched from the French. Sacre bleu! Lee and Kennedy were suppliers to the Empress Josephine"s garden at Malmaison and were given special dispensation to continue to supply Josephine's garden despite the Napoleonic Wars. The Portland Rose is said to be named after the II Duchess of Portland a passionate collector and keen botanist. During the 1800's Portland Roses were bred intensively in France being highly valued for their brightness of bloom. Despite their desirability and importance in rose history eventually Portland Roses were out-classed by their own off-spring, the upstarts we know as the Hybrid Perpetual Group. Luckily we can still show them the respect they deserve and plant such beauties as "Jacques Cartier" and "Comte Chambord" in our gardens today.
Characteristics of Portland Roses
- Tidy and compact habit
- Short stems
- Fragrant
- Deep red or pink blooms that are very double
- Prefer rich soil
- Prefer Winter pruning
- Remontant i.e. flower more than once a year usually summer and again in autumn
The Rugosa Rose is native to Japan, D.O.B. unknown. Introduced to Europe in the late 1700's, the Rugosa hybrids are prized for ease of cultivation, large fragrant blooms and large highly ornamental hips which are full of Vitamin C. Rugosa roses will tolerate salt laden winds, extremes of heat and cold and are so robust that in some countries they are used for hedging on farms and barrier planting on motorways! Talk about tough. Rugosa roses are also used for Standard Rose Root-stocks and will quickly take over if the grafted rose is neglected or weak. It is important to note though, the one thing they don't particularly tolerate, is modern chemical spray as it damages the foliage but as these roses are disease resistant this is seldom a problem.
Characteristics of Rugosa Roses
- Almost indestructible
- Rough textured leaves
- Stiff thorny short stems
- Showy hips ornamental and edible rich in Vitamin C
- Mainly summer flowering
- Fragrant
- Disease Resistant
- Little if any pruning required
Characteristics of Rugosa Roses
- Almost indestructible
- Rough textured leaves
- Stiff thorny short stems
- Showy hips ornamental and edible rich in Vitamin C
- Mainly summer flowering
- Fragrant
- Disease Resistant
- Little if any pruning required
Check back soon for more information!
I started breeding roses in 1983 and right from the start I set myself high standards, emphasizing the most important aspect of a rose is good health. It is my long held view that it is pointless producing a stunning flower if the plant on which it sits is a dud. The next most important attributes in my mind are Freedom of flowering and quick repeat. However, good foliage, bush shape, weather tolerance and beauty of the flower are also all on the list of standards that must be achieved. To accomplish all of the above, as well as fragrance, is the ultimate success.
Whether you are celebrating a special occasion, remembering a loved one or just saying "I care", what could be more perfect than the lasting gift of nature in the form of an enduring rose? Here at Wairere, where roses rule, we have put together a carefully chosen list of over 100 roses right across the colour spectrum to provide you with a simple yet unique solution to mark life's special moments.
Tea Roses hail from the Orient and are an ancient cross (deliberate or otherwise) between Rosa gigantea and Rosa chinensis resulting in a rose we know botanically as Rosa x odorata, common name "Hume's Blush Tea-Scented China". Tea Roses are such a key part of the Rose story as they are one of the ancestors of the Modern Hybrid Tea rose we grow and exhibit today. John Reeves, a Tea Inspector for the British East India Company, based in China from 1812 to 1831, was especially passionate about these Roses and paid Chinese agents to collect specimens from areas that were forbidden to foreigners. Mr Reeves also patronized and exported to Britain large amounts of plant material grown by the Fa Tee Nursery in Canton. Such was the excitement of the day that paintings of the "China Teas" were commissioned and these can still be seen today in the RHS Lord Lindley Library in London.
These "new' roses were eagerly embraced by European horticulturists. The French and the Italians began making their own crosses which resulted in 250 new Tea Roses being introduced between 1830 and 1840. Sadly a series of hard European winters around the 1840's resulted in the decline of the Tea Rose as they did not do well in the cold damp conditions. Many popular varieties of the day are now thought to be extinct though they could still be growing, much loved but unidentified in secluded corners of the globe. Luckily for us the Tea Roses that were taken to Australia and New Zealand by early British settlers thrived in the warmer temperatures therefore ensuring their enduring popularity. We can thank British Rosarian Graham Thomas (the popular yellow Austin Rose bares his name) for fighting for the preservation of Tea roses in the 1960's. Eminent NZ Rosarians Nancy Steen and Trevor Griffiths also admired and wrote about the importance of Tea Roses and here at Wairere we are continuing the love affair with these most beautiful and desired roses. Check out some of our favourites:- Jean Ducher, Lady Hillington, Devonensis, Monsieur Tillier, General Galleni.
Characteristics of the Tea Rose
- Open growth habit
- Silky petals with subtle colour tones
- Distinctive pointed buds on slender stems
- Cupped nodding blooms double or semi-double
- Delicious distinctive fragrance
- Will grow in sun or filtered light as long as it is warm and cosy
- Long lived therefore require space to grow
- Resent hard pruning – best just dead-headed regularly
- Recurrent i.e. bloom continuously if in a warm sheltered spot
These "new' roses were eagerly embraced by European horticulturists. The French and the Italians began making their own crosses which resulted in 250 new Tea Roses being introduced between 1830 and 1840. Sadly a series of hard European winters around the 1840's resulted in the decline of the Tea Rose as they did not do well in the cold damp conditions. Many popular varieties of the day are now thought to be extinct though they could still be growing, much loved but unidentified in secluded corners of the globe. Luckily for us the Tea Roses that were taken to Australia and New Zealand by early British settlers thrived in the warmer temperatures therefore ensuring their enduring popularity. We can thank British Rosarian Graham Thomas (the popular yellow Austin Rose bares his name) for fighting for the preservation of Tea roses in the 1960's. Eminent NZ Rosarians Nancy Steen and Trevor Griffiths also admired and wrote about the importance of Tea Roses and here at Wairere we are continuing the love affair with these most beautiful and desired roses. Check out some of our favourites:- Jean Ducher, Lady Hillington, Devonensis, Monsieur Tillier, General Galleni.
Characteristics of the Tea Rose
- Open growth habit
- Silky petals with subtle colour tones
- Distinctive pointed buds on slender stems
- Cupped nodding blooms double or semi-double
- Delicious distinctive fragrance
- Will grow in sun or filtered light as long as it is warm and cosy
- Long lived therefore require space to grow
- Resent hard pruning – best just dead-headed regularly
- Recurrent i.e. bloom continuously if in a warm sheltered spot
Check out our other pages -
Roses for Sale in New Zealand
Camellias for Sale in New Zealand NZ
Fruit Trees for sale in New Zealand
Perrenials for sale in New Zealand
Trees for sale in New Zealand
Plants for sale in New Zealand
Plants for sale Online in New Zealand
Topiary Plants for sale in New Zealand
Plants for sale in New Zealand
Nurseries in Hamilton New Zealand
Hedging Plants for Sale in New Zealand
Hamilton Garden Centres New Zealand
Hamilton Landscaping New Zealand
Native Trees For Sale in New Zealand
Mail Order Plants New Zealand
Mail Order Roses New Zealand
Mail Order Rose Bushes New Zealand
Mail Order Nurseries in New Zealand
Roses for Sale in New Zealand
Roses for Sale in New Zealand