Descriptions of Rose Families -
Ramblers and Climbers
It is helpful to know the characteristics of different rose families when planning your garden. To purchase the roses described shop here.
Here is information about the climbing and rambling rose families, with some good examples of roses from each family available for purchase. There are more roses representing each family in the colour sections of the roses for sale.
Here is information about the climbing and rambling rose families, with some good examples of roses from each family available for purchase. There are more roses representing each family in the colour sections of the roses for sale.
Noisette Climbers
These are beautiful roses that usually repeat flower and often have fabulous fragrance. They come in soft colours of white, blush, pink and soft yellow. A favourite is Lamarque.
Wichuraiana Ramblers
These were originally bred by Barbier in France in the early 1900s. They generally have small dark green glossy leaves and are very tough and easy to grow. Alberic Barbier (cream) is particularly proven in windy Wellington conditions. They come in every colour, except purple. Flowering can vary, but you often get some repeat with these roses. Other good examples are Paul Transon, Francois Poisson, Albertine, Crimson Showers, American Pillar, Sanders White, Bloomfield Courage.
Multiflora Ramblers
These ramblers have matt green foliage and tend to have fewer thorns than other ramblers. Most purple ramblers are multifloras but they come in most other colours as well. Many of these are once flowerers but there are exceptions. Somes examples are Veilchenblau, Astra Desmond, Donna Maria, Ghislaine de Feligonde.
Ken Nobb's Roses
Ken was a founder of the NZ Heritage Rose Society and a rose breeder. His aim was to breed thornless ramblers and he was reasonably successful. Roses are noted as being bred by Ken in their descriptions. Many of them are purple or pinky-purple as Veilchenblau was used in much of the breeding. Ken was also a missionary and he honoured the early New Zealand pioneers, particularly the women, in the naming of his roses. The stories of these pioneers and the roses they were named for are detailed in the book Missionaries Wives & Roses by Ann Chapman which we have for sale. Some examples are Mary Davis, Harriet Shepherd, Charlotte Kemp, John Gare Butler, Elizabeth Hamlin.