A novel class of roses came into existence following continuous blending between the Bourbons and, it may appear, any other parent that may have come along. After some confusion initially, this class of rose was known as hybrid perpetuals. Sometime around 1820s, this race of rose was accepted as a new group and later several cultivars filled the catalogues.
However, the sheer number of these roses as well as their exceptional hybridity eventually proved to be the reason for the demise of many, while only the best among them managed to survive. It is interesting to note that all hybrid perpetual roses inherit the essential flaws of the hybrid tea roses.
Most breeders wanting to develop large, enchanting flowers that repeat bloom more often than not paid little or no attention to the excellence of their roses as garden shrubs. Yet, among the roughly 3,000 different types of hybrid perpetual roses were introduced to the market during the last century.
Some of them are really beautiful when they are in bloom and they also make hardy, healthy and well-formed garden shrubs. Generally, hybrid perpetual roses bloom profusely in spring and once again in the fall. During the intervening months the plants flower sporadically in a trickle.
The flowers of hybrid perpetual roses are large and, on an average, each flower measures anything between 3 inches and 5 inches (7.8 cm and 12.7 cm) across. However, a number of cultivators of this class of race produce giant flowers, each measuring about 6 inches to 7 inches (15.2 cm to 17.8 cm) in diameter. In addition, hybrid perpetual roses are full as well as fragrant.
Their colors range from white to pink, rose, scarlet and carmine. You will not find these roses in true orange or yellow colors. However, these roses are very cold hardy and they flourish in the south. The plants are susceptible to fungal diseases, especially when grown in places were summer months are extremely hot.
Introduced - 1868
'Baroness Rothschild' rose bears large, fully double, cup-shaped flowers that are extremely fragrant. The individual blooms of this perpetual hybrid rose variety measure about 3 inches to 4 inches in diameter and is composed of 40 petals.
The color of the flowers is rose-pink superimposed with white. They may be borne singly or appear in small clusters. Towards the centre, the flowers have a deeper pink hue. They appear in profusion in spring and once again in fall. The plants are upright, stiff and grow up to a height of 4 feet to 5 feet.
Introduced - 1842
Despite the fact that 'Baronne Prévost' is sometimes bothered by mildew and black spot, this hybrid perpetual is perhaps the most disease resistant among all the roses in its class. This is the prime reason why this rose is among the few that are able to thrive in the humid regions of the Southeast.
Since this rose also possesses remarkable abilities to endure cold, it is an excellent selection for growing in areas like the Mid-Atlantic states and the Northeast, where the hard winter months are likely to be followed by a hot and humid summer. It is also excellent for growing in the southern regions of Ontario.
The flowers of 'Baronne Prévost' rose are luxurious. In other words, the blossoms are pink rosettes, flattened having a button eye at their center. While the flowers of this hybrid perpetual are not as large as 'Paul Neyron', 'Baronne Prévost' bears flowers more copiously.
This is an old-world aristocrat rose that blossoms heavily towards the end of spring or in the beginning of summer and subsequently bears flowers sporadically all through the summer months. It again repeats its flowers heavily in autumn. 'Baronne Prévost' is a sturdy shrub that is ideally suited for growing in a mixed border of shrubs and flowers.
Introduced - 1914
This hybrid perpetual rose bears continuous series of flowers starting from the beginning of spring to the first hard frost of the season. 'Candeur Lyonnaise' rose produces long and pointed buds that unfurl to form double, very large blooms, each measuring about 5 inches in diameter.
The flowers are white, but occasionally they have a tinge of yellow, while the petals are precisely fringed. The plants of 'Candeur Lyonnaise' are very vigorous growers and have an upright, stately form.
They grow up to a moderate height. Since this rose has a prolonged flowering season, it is a wonderful shrub for growing in almost all types of gardens. Moreover, the blooms of 'Candeur Lyonnaise' rose are an excellent source of cut flowers.
Introduced - 1921
'Ferdinand Pichard' rose bears cup-shaped flowers that are both colourful as well as fragrant. The individual flowers of this hybrid perpetual rose measures anything between 2 ½ inches and 4 inches in diameter. The petals are splashed with either crimson or white stripes.
However, as the flowers mature their pink hue fades to white, while the crimson color changes to purple. The flowers are borne in clusters in profusion at the beginning of summer and once again in the fall. In between, the plants flower sporadically.
The foliage of this rose has a yellowish-green color, while the canes are virtually without thorns. The plants of 'Ferdinand Pichard' have a compact and upright habit and they are excellent for growing in garden beds.
This rose performs particularly well when they are provided with fertilizers regularly and watered copiously. The plants need heavy pruning during the winter. They are moderately resistant to mildew, but the plants are vulnerable to black spot.
Introduced - 1901
'Frau Karl Druschki' produces high-centered buds that unfurl to double flowers in the beginning of summer and the show is repeated in fall. The individual flowers measure anything between 4 inches and 4 ½ inches in diameter and are composed of as many as 30 to 35 petals, which have a lemon tinge at their base.
The flowers are white and borne copiously. The canes of this hybrid perpetual rose are almost smooth, while the supporting foliage is light green, coarse and has a leathery texture. The plants of 'Frau Karl Druschki' are robust and have an erect habit.
While the plants have fleshy branches, the stems are long and strong. The form as well as the color of this rose's flowers makes it very effective for growing along with other roses in garden beds and also in indoor arrangements.
The buds of this rose are generally unwilling to unfurl when the weather is damp. The leaves of 'Frau Karl Druschki' are vulnerable to mildew.
Introduced - 1853
'Général Jacqueminot' has been a florist's rose owing to its long stems that are excellent for cutting. The flowers of this hybrid perpetual rose are cup-shaped, bright, have a clear red hue and are very fragrant.
Each flower of this rose measures anything between 2 ½ inches and 4 inches wide and is composed of 25 to 30 petals. The reverse side of the petals have an overtone of white.
This rose is often regarded as an ideal example of the hybrid perpetual class of roses. 'Général Jacqueminot' plants are bushy and they are repeat bloom. The plants grow up to a height of anything between 4 feet and 5 feet and their foliage is rich green. It is interesting to note that rose gardeners have nicknamed this rose as "General Jack".
Introduced - 1924
This perpetual hybrid rose variety bears double flowers whose color varies from crimson to scarlet. The individual flowers of 'Henry Nevard' rose measure about 4 inches or even more across and are composed of 30 petals.
The flowers are very fragrant and are borne all through the summer months. The plants are bushy and grow up to a height of 4 feet to 5 feet. The leaves of this rose are dark green and have a leathery texture. The plants of 'Henry Nevard' rose are vulnerable to mildew.
Introduced - 1878
'Mabbel Morrison' is an ungainly shrub that has a tendency to grow tall. However, this hybrid perpetual rose is a moderately compact cultivar that has healthy and attractive foliage, which is considered to be a pleasant exception. This is not a common rose, but it needs to be known better.
The large cup-shaped blooms of 'Mabel Morrison' are exceptional and they more or less look like big water lilies. The blooms unfurl with a pale blush pink and for most of the season they fade to a pure white. Towards the fall, the color of the flowers may change to a deeper shade of pink.
The flowers of this rose emit a pleasant perfume and they are very effective as cut flowers. In addition, 'Mabel Morrison' contributes greatly to a mixed border of flowers and shrubs. This is particularly due to the fact that this perpetual rose is capable of flourishing in a wide range of soils.
Introduced - 1842
The flowers of 'Marchesa Boccella', also referred to as 'Jacques Cartier', are large, full and they repeat flushes all through the growing season. The very double blooms of this hybrid perpetual rose have a delicate pink hue with blush along the edge of the petals.
The flowers are borne in compact clusters on stiff and short stems. The flowers of 'Marchesa Boccella' are exceptionally fragrant. The petals of this rose numerous, but smaller compared to most other hybrid perpetual.
The foliage is bright green and dense. This rose is considered to be among the finest in its class. 'Marchesa Boccella' is a vigorous grower and its form varies from medium to tall erect. It is also rather spreading. The recurring flowering habit of this rose as well as its lush foliage makes it very suitable for growing in large garden beds and borders.
Introduced - 1893
'Marchioness of Londonderry' bears large fragrant flowers having ivory white hue having a pale pink to rose pink blush. The form of the blooms of this hybrid perpetual rose varies from cup-shaped to high-centered. The cabbagy flowers of this rose measures anything between 4 inches and 5 inches in diameter.
This rose does not bloom continuously, but the plants present an excellent floral show in spring and once again in fall. The foliage has a leathery texture, while the canes are almost without thorns.
'Marchioness of Londonderry' is an extremely robust plant and vigorous grower. The plants have a tough and upright habit and are best for growing in large garden beds and borders. In addition, you may also train the plants to grow along a fence or on a trellis.
Introduced - 1887
Compared to other hybrid perpetual roses, 'Mrs. John Laing' is a low growing plant – it grows up to a height of anything between 3 feet and 4 feet. The flowers of this rose have a soft pink hue and they are potently fragrant. The individual flowers measure about 3 inches to 4 inches in diameter and are composed of as many as 45 petals. This rose blooms repeatedly during the summer months.
Introduced - 1869
'Paul Neyron' is among the giant hybrid perpetual roses and it perhaps bears the largest blooms among all the roses that are in cultivation. The tousled flowers have a rich pink hue and each may measure about 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter.
The fragrant flowers are borne atop strong and upright canes displaying pride. Aside from the flowers, the leaves of this rose are also large, shiny green and bold. Both the flowers as well as the leaves of 'Paul Neyron' are remarkable.
This hybrid perpetual rose variety is a vigorously growing shrub and it requires sufficient space to grow properly flexing its muscles. When grown behind a mixed border of shrubs and flowers, 'Paul Neyron' makes a bold statement. Moreover, this rose also serves well when grown as a flowering hedge.
Introduced - 1860
'Reine des Violettes' rose bears very double flowers that open with a rosy purple hue and as the flowers mature their color fades to violet. The reverse side of the petals are lighter as well as silkier compared the velvety upper side. The petals of this hybrid perpetual rose are quartered and they surround a button eye.
The flowers may be borne singly or appear in small clusters with a potent and complex fragrance. Once the three-inch flowers have matured completely, they fade very quickly. The foliage of this rose is meagre and has a silvery green hue, while the canes are almost smooth - without thorns.
The plants of 'Reine des Violettes' are bushy and they grow tall as well as wide. It is necessary to prune the plant hard in order to maintain a compact shrub. The canes are long and flexible and they can be trained to climb. This hybrid perpetual variety is especially attractive when you grow it on walls. In order to put on its best performance, the plants require rich soils.
Introduced - 1890
'Roger Lambelin' is valued for the exceptional color pattern of its double flowers, which repeat bloom. The petals of this rose have a brilliant crimson edge with white streaks. As a result, the blooms appear as if they are wearing petticoats. As the flowers mature, their color fades to maroon.
Each flower of 'Roger Lambelin' rose is composed of roughly 30 fringed petals having velvety texture. The flowers are very fragrant. 'Roger Lambelin' is a vigorously growing hybrid perpetual rose and the plants have a full and bushy habit.
However, the plants are somewhat fussy and require extremely good soil. They are, however, prone to black spot as well as mildew. The flowers of a similar hybrid perpetual rose known as 'Baron Girod de l'Ain' are little less colored, but it is a more dependable performer compared to 'Roger Lambelin'.
