There are many different classifications of rose that fall under the heading "Old Garden Roses", and quite a bit of intermixing within groups.  I am actively expanding my collection, and have aquired a pretty decent collection from most of the major classes: China, Tea, Noisette, Bourbon, Hybrid Perpetual and Climbing/Rambling Old Garden Roses.  The others are loosely grouped together by bloom habit; remontant (repeat blooming) or nonremontant (once blooming) roses.  The more I learn about these amazing plants, the greater my desire to expand my collection.

Indeed, there is little that matches the sheer indulgence of burying your nose in an armload of fragrant blooms; in terms of fragrance, Old Garden Roses truly are the Queen of Flowers... and their soft colors and sumptious, petal-packed blooms are the epitome of romance.

The pages that follow contain images of these roses and detail their performance in my garden.