Roses of
Christmas PastVictorian roses for gardens shaped by memory, patience and enduring beauty
In the stillness of December, when frost feathers the garden and bare branches trace strong silhouettes against pale skies, it is easy to think of another age. A Dickensian Christmas feels close at hand: lantern light on cobbled streets, mist in the air, and behind brick walls and wrought-iron gates, old roses resting through the cold.
Though they are bare now, many of the varieties we grow today were already cherished in Victorian times, rooted in gardens that knew the same cold, the same darkness, and the same deep anticipation of return.
These are roses shaped by history, carried forward by generations of gardeners, and still fully relevant in the gardens of today.
Shrub Roses for the Summer Garden
By early summer, these shrubs move from silhouette to abundance, filling borders with fragrance, colour and presence.
Mme Hardy, introduced in 1832, remains one of the defining white roses of the nineteenth century. Its broad, flat blooms with the distinctive green eye glow against deep foliage, carrying strong Old Rose fragrance on warm evenings.
Tuscany Superb was already known in the early Victorian years and valued for its dramatic, dark crimson. Against paler planting, its velvety colour delivers depth, contrast and striking intensity.
Little White Pet, raised in 1879, is prized for its neat habit and perfectly formed blush-white blooms. Its flowers appear in tidy clusters, capturing the Victorian love of proportion and restraint.
Mme Isaac Pereire arrived in 1881 and swiftly earned renown for one of the richest perfumes ever captured in a rose. Deep rose-pink and full in form, it releases waves of scent that hang in the air long after sunset.
Comte de Champagne belongs to the great mid-Victorian era of rose breeding, when softer tones and fuller forms came into fashion. Its calm colouring and steady temperament suited the formal terraces and ordered gardens of the time.
Climbers and Ramblers for Old Walls and Open Sky
As summer gathers pace, these great roses rise and spill, transforming walls, arches and trees into living architecture.
Rambling Rector, known since the 1830s, sends vast trusses of small white flowers through hedgerows and along old boundaries. In full bloom it becomes a drifting cloud of white, alive with movement and scent.
Gloire de Dijon appeared in 1853 and quickly gained admiration for its warm apricot and honeyed gold tones. Unlike many Victorian climbers, it repeats generously, offering flower well beyond its first flush.
Félicité et Perpétue, raised in 1828, produces sweeping growth laden with creamy white clusters. Trained into trees or across large walls, it creates scale, softness and spectacle in equal measure.
Aimée Vibert also dates from 1828 and was treasured for its abundance of small white flowers and notable fragrance. Across doorways and arches it frames space with scent and movement.
Cécile Brünner, introduced in 1881, bridges the world of shrub and climber. Its perfectly formed small pink blooms appear in steady succession, giving refinement and continuity through the early and mid-summer weeks.
A Living Victorian Inheritance
These roses were bred for permanence rather than fashion. They have endured through shifting tastes, changing climates and the passing of generations. Their beauty lies not in novelty, but in character built over time.
To plant one of these roses is to place a living thread of the past into the soil of the present. Through summer they rise into flower, linking stone walls with scent and colour, and proving that the finest garden pleasures are still those shaped by patience and time.
Looking for a gift?
Christmas is a wonderful time to give something lasting - a rose that will bring colour, fragrance and joy as the new year unfolds. Even a small garden or balcony can be transformed by the right variety, making a rose a thoughtful and personal choice.
Whether the person you’re buying for already grows roses or is beginning their journey, this guide will help you find a beautiful variety for the gardener in your life.
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Roses of Christmas PastIn the stillness of December, when frost feathers the garden and bare branches trace strong silhouettes against pale skies, it is easy to think of another age. A Dickensian Christmas feels close at hand: lantern light on cobbled streets, mist in the air, and behind brick walls and wrought-iron gates, old roses resting through the cold. Though they are bare now, many of the varieties we grow today were already cherished in Victorian times, rooted in gardens that knew the same cold, the same darkness, and the same deep anticipation of return.
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Wild Rose Hips in Winter: Reading the Plants Behind ThemWinter has a way of showing roses as they really are. With the leaves down and the flowers long gone, the plants stand in their most open, honest form. This is when the hips become noticeable. On wild species roses, these fruits are not just a seasonal leftover. They are small clues about the landscapes that shaped each plant. If you look closely, they reveal far more than you might expect.
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Using Rose Hips for Christmas: Natural Crafts and Winter Garden InspirationAs autumn settles and the days take on a crisp, silvery light, the garden begins to quieten. Blooms fade, leaves fall, and roses offer their final gesture of the year. Their hips, glowing in reds and soft oranges, brighten bare stems like small lanterns and bring warmth to the stillness of the season. These fruits have long carried a nostalgic charm, recalling winter walks, simple festive gatherings and the comforting traditions of Christmas. Rose hips are easy to collect. Choose firm, brightly coloured hips and snip them with a short length of stem attached. A gentle rinse is enough to prepare them for craft or cookery.
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The Perfect Gifts for Gardeners this ChristmasAs the garden rests and daylight draws in, Christmas becomes a lovely moment to surprise the gardener in your life with something thoughtful. The right gift can brighten the quieter months and carry the promise of beauty when spring returns and the roses wake again.
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Roses in the Shadow: English Roses for Shaded SpotsWhen we speak of “shade” in the garden, it is important to be precise. Few roses will prosper in deep shadow, but many are perfectly happy with four or five hours of sunlight a day. Think of those north-facing walls or quiet spots that bask in morning or evening light. These are not wasted spaces; with the right roses, they can become some of the most enchanting areas of the garden.
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Creating Living Walls with Climbing RosesA living wall has a way of transforming a space, turning a simple surface into a quiet theatre of petals, scent and shifting light. When English Roses form the foundation, the display becomes generous and enduring. Their repeat blooms, soft colours and naturally graceful habit bring depth and character to any vertical space, whether it is a boundary fence, a warm house wall or a tucked-away corner that needs a little life.
