How to Grow Bourbon Roses Reblooming Antiques

Bourbon roses seem to have originated in the early 1800’s as the natural result of hybridization between two native hedge roses. Bourbons were popular for their repeat blooming habit and fragrance but many were susceptible to blackspot or mildew diseases.

Cultivation Information and How to Grow Bourbon Roses

Hardiness Zones – Bourbons generally grow well in zones 5-10.

Bloom Time & Color – Bourbon roses appear in midsummer and then again in the fall for a second flush of blooms. The roses can be semi-double or double and are a wider variety of colors such as red, pink, purple or white. The bourbon rose flowers are highly fragrant.

Foliage – Bourbon roses have deep green foliage that can be susceptible to blackspot or mildew.

Growth Habit – Bourbon roses are highly varied in growth habit and growing anywhere from compact hedge shrubs, or trained as climbing roses. See specific bourbon rose cultivar information for details.

Dimensions – Bourbon roses range in height between 2′ and 10′ tall.

Preferred Conditions – Bourbons prefer full sun and moist well-drain soil. They also do not like to be overly crowded which can make them more prone to blackspot or mildew diseases.

Maintenance – Prune younger canes back by about one-third in late winter before the roses break dormancy since bourbons flower on new wood so early pruning will encourage prolific growth. Mulch around the rose plants to prevent water from splashing up onto the foliage which can encourage disease growth.

Pests or Diseases: – Bourbon roses are prone to blackspot and mildew so try to find resistant cultivars or plant them in areas with good are circulation.

Companion Plants – Bourbon roses do well with other cottage garden plants, fragrant flowers or herbs.

Uses in the Garden – Use as hedge plants or train your bourbon rose plant as a climber up a trellis, arbor or wall.

Popular Named Cultivars of Bourbon Roses

All cultivar information is given with the name of the cultivar, any known alternative names, bloom form and color and the American Rose Society (ARS) rating if known.

• ‘Honorine de Brabant’ – Hardy to zone 5 (with protection) thorugh zone 10. This bourbon is a pink blend and produces very attractive striped flowers that are also fragrant. One of the more disease resistant Bourbons less prone to foliar diseases. ARS rating: 8.3
• Souvenir de la Malmaison (Queen of Beauty and Fragrance)- Hardy zone 6 (5 with protection) Another bourbon rose with reported high resistance to blackspot disease. A compact bourbon growing only 3-5′ tall x 3′ wide. This antique bourbon rose has fully quartered light pink blooms but a red variant and a climbing form both exist. Repeat blooming. ARS rating: 8.7
• Zepherine Drouhin (Thornless Rose, Charles Bonnet) – Hardy zones 5-10. A favorite climbing bourbon rose for good reason – this heirloom rose is nearly thornless making it perfect for heavy traffic areas where large thorns might be a problem. Tolerates shady conditions well. Variable disease resistance with some gardeners reporting excellent resistance and others reporting blackspot problems. ARS rating: 8.0
• Madame Isaac Pereire (Le Bienheureux de la Salle, Mme Issac Pereire) – Hardy zone 5. Large antique rose grows 6-8′ tall and is perfect as a hedge, short climber or pillar rose as canes can tend to lay over and do better with support. One of the strongest fragrances of the Bourbons, this rose has the color and scent of raspberries on large, double, deep-pink blooms. Blackspot susceptibility is easily tolerated because of constant, season long blooming. ARS rating: 8.4
• Louise Odier (Louis Philippe d’Angers, Madame de Stella) – Hardy zones 5-10. Very double pink flowers with a hint of lavender. One of the easiest antique bourbons to grow, this 5′ shrub rose bears its flowers on long stems making it an excellent plant for cutting as well. Shade tolerant, strong fragrance. ARS rating: 8.5
• Gruss an Teplitz – Hardy zones 5-10. A true red bourbon rose with scarlet flowers that will not fade in the sun. Reliable rebloom and highly fragrant. This antique rose will grow into a fairly dense 5′ tall and wide shrub. ARS rating: 8.3
• Kathleen Harrop – Hardy zones 5-10. A sport of the Zepherine Drouhin, this heirloom bourbon rose is a more subtle, light pink color. As thornless as it’s parent plant, this rose only grows between 6-9′ tall making it either a large shrub or a small climber. Repeat flowering. ARS rating: unknown

See other Old Garden Roses

Cultivar information is based on American Rose Society ‚”Handbook for Selecting Roses” 2007. Additional information on using roses in the garden was found in The Heirloom Country Garden by Sarah Heffner. Historic information was also found in The Rose Book by Graham Stuart Thomas and Paul Barden’s website on historic roses.