RUSSELL NURSERY ROSE SELECTIONS
2010
Introduction
Types Of Roses We Carry
Bush Roses
Climbers
Tree Roses
INTRODUCTION
Our roses will be available as bare root plants until about the end of March. They will next be available in 5 gallon pots towards the end of May or the beginning of June, depending on the weather. Even in the first year you can expect lots of blooms and nice sized plants. Climbers can take 2 or 3 years, sometimes longer, to develop their framework and to start blooming really well.
The focus of our rose collection is on Modern shrub roses and floribundas. We like roses that don’t need special treatment and don’t need to be in their own space, segregated from the rest of the garden – although they can be. We generally stock newer varieties which are bred to be disease resistant, are often fragrant and have good repeat bloom.
We also carry a selection of David Austin English roses, which do like a little more pampering, and definitely need some elbow room, but a little extra effort will be well rewarded.
We think that roses should come out of the ‘Rose Garden’ and into the general landscape, where they can fill many roles. For example, they can be used to:
- Create a focal point – Use roses in mixed or shrub borders for summer colour and fragrance.
- Screen out the neighbours – Use trellises to make fences taller and grow climbers on them to create an effective (and friendly) screen.
- Keep out intruders and keep in the kids – A hedge of rugosa roses, for example, will provide a dense, impenetrable barrier, which will be full of colour and fragrance over a long season.
- Soften a wall – A bare expanse of wall is the perfect spot for a strong climber.
- Create beautiful containers – Roses grow really well in big pots or try a Flower Carpet rose in a big hanging basket.
- Control erosion – The suckering nature of rugosas and many species roses, such as our native Nootka rose, make them excellent choices for stabilizing a bank. They are also very tolerant of seaside conditions.
- Cover a bare patch – Flower Carpet roses and many of the floribundas are very effective ground covers when planted en masse.
- Provide winter interest – Roses like Bonica, the rugosas and ‘Autumn Sunset’, to name just a few, have showy hips that brighten up the winter landscape. The trick is to not prune off the last blooms of the season – they will often develop hips
TYPES OF ROSES WE CARRY
Our catalogue is divided into two very broad categories – bush roses, and climbing roses, which describe growth habit rather than type. The lists are alphabetical, with more specific classification included in the individual descriptions.
English Roses aka David Austin Roses: There are hundreds of varieties from many different breeding lines. The original crosses were between old garden roses and modern hybrid teas. To make it easier to sort them all out, they have been divided into groups – each very different in breeding and character. The three main groups are:
- English Old Rose Hybrids: The original English Roses, these have true old rose character. They bloom in soft pinks and shades of crimson and purple and form small to medium sized bushy shrubs. They make excellent garden roses that mingle well with other plants. Most have a strong fragrance.
- The Leander Group: More modern in character, they form large robust shrubs, with elegantly aching growth. The flowers are large and come in a wide range of colours, including rich yellows and coppery oranges and deep reds and pinks. They usually have a strong fragrance.
- English Musk Roses: Blooms are smaller and daintier, but the plants themselves can be quite robust. Colours are soft blush pinks, pale yellows and shades of apricot and peach. Fragrances are light.
Floribundas (Latin for many flowering): Bred by crossing small multi flowered polyantha roses with hybrid tea roses to create plants that bloom profusely like the polyanthas, but have the beauty and colour range of the hybrid teas. Plants are bushy and carry their blooms in large sprays. Floribundas are found in a wide range of colours and feature classic hybrid tea-shaped blossoms. They are usually very good repeat bloomers and the newer varieties are especially healthy and vigorous.
Shrub Roses: By definition, a shrub rose is any rose that is not a hybrid tea or a floribunda. So it is a big catch all category that varies tremendously in form, hardiness, colour. It’s safe to say that within this group there is something for pretty much any situation and purpose. Shrub roses are also sometimes known as landscape roses, because they can be mixed with other plants in beds and borders.
BUSH ROSES
Abraham Darby: ENGLISH ROSE (Leander Group) H: 5’ X S: 5’. Large arching habit. Vigorous. Peachy pink. Immense full flowers. Fruity fragrance. Glossy healthy foliage. Repeat flowering. Can be trained as a small climber. Excellent back of the border filler; Best with some sturdy support. No overhead watering!
Bonica: SHRUB. H: 3’ x S: 3’, Bushy and spreading. Dainty, loose petalled, pure pink flowers. Bright orange hips. Repeat bloomer. Vigorous, easy to grow, hardy, very disease resistant. Can be used as groundcover, in mixed borders, containers.
Brother Cadfael: ENGLISH ROSE (Old Rose Hybrid) H: 4’ X S: 3’ Stout, bushy, habit. Huge globular flowers are soft to medium pink with ruffled edges - Almost like peonies. Very fragrant, repeat blooming. Dark green, healthy foliage. Can reach 8’ and be trained as a climber.
NEW FOR 2010
Carding Mill: ENGLISH ROSE (Leander Group) H: 4’ X S: 3.5’ Mixed shades of pink, apricot and yellow. Strong fragrance. Bushy, rounded, healthy habit. Flowers nod slightly on strong stems. Good repeat blooming.
NEW FOR 2010
Charles Albanel: SHRUB (Explorer Series). H: 2’ X S: 3’, Low spreading habit, good groundcover. Medium pink flowers. Some fragrance. Exceptionally hardy, very low maintenance.
NEW FOR 2010
Cinco de Mayo: FLORIBUNDA H: 4’ x S: 4’, Rounded and bushy. Smokey lavender & rusty red-orange blend. Good repeat bloom over a long season. Moderate fragrance. Clean glossy foliage. Interesting colour blend goes well with most other colours.
2009 AARS Winner
Crocus Rose: ENGLISH ROSE (English Musk) H: 4’ X S: 4’ Soft apricot aging to cream. Very robust and free flowering. Large clusters of lightly fragrant blooms. Slightly arching habit. Can be trained as a small climber. Summer pruning will encourage a compact habit.
NEW FOR 2010
Darcey Bussell: ENGLISH ROSE (Old Rose Hybrid) H: 2.5’ X S: 2’ Deep, rich crimson tinged with mauve. Short, shrubby habit perfect for the front of a bed or border or a large container. Sweet fruity fragrance. Moderate size blooms in the rosette style. Free flowering throughout the growing season.
NEW FOR 2010
Drop Dead Red: FLORIBUNDA H: 4’ X S: 3’ Red velvet red. Intense colour doesn’t fade as blooms age. Shows well against the deep green foliage. Mild fragrance. Very healthy.
NEW FOR 2010
Easy Does it: FLORIBUNDA H: 4’ X S: 4’ Swirls of mango orange, peach pink and ripe apricot. Large clusters of ruffled, fragrant blooms. Glossy bright green leaves. Rounded bushy habit. Vigorous, healthy. Moderately fragrant.
NEW FOR 2010. ONLY AARS WINNER THIS YEAR.
Ebb Tide: FLORIBUNDA H: 4’ x S: 3’ Medium size, upright and bushy. Huge 5” Smoky plum purple. flowers. Strong fragrance. Old fashioned in appearance. Gets better and produces more blooms as it becomes established.
Eglantyne: ENGLISH ROSE (Old Rose Hybrid) H: 4.5’ X S: 3’ Light pink, large, fully double saucer-like blooms with smaller petals in the centre, and a wonderful old-rose scent. Can be trained as a small climber.
NEW FOR 2010
Flower Carpet: SHRUB. H: 3’ x S: 4’ Low growing and spreading; Low maintenance, minimal pruning, disease resistant. Somewhat shade tolerant; Very versatile, can be used for mass planting, accents, containers, hanging baskets. Long blooming. Small glossy leaves. Choice of colours: Amber (New), Apple Blossom, Hot Pink Supreme, Scarlet, Coral, White and Yellow.
Gentle Hermione: ENGLISH ROSE (Leander Group) H: 4.5’ X S: 3’ Pure pink paling to soft blush towards the outer petals. Blooms of true old rose character are freely produced throughout the summer. Good resistance to rain. Forms an attractive, rounded very healthy shrub with slightly arching stems.
NEW FOR 2010 
Golden Celebration: ENGLISH ROSE (Leander Group) H: 4’ x S: 5’+ Rounded vigorous habit. Large, fully double, rich golden yellow blooms. Strong fragrance. Glossy, dark green foliage. Slightly rounded, arching habit. Repeats well. Can be trained as a small climber.
Graham Thomas: ENGLISH ROSE (English Musk) H: 6’ x S: 7’+ Tall; Upright; Rich topaz yellow. Double cup shaped flowers, some fragrance, free flowering over a long season; Strong grower, healthy. Heavily laden branches need some support. Can be trained as a small climber. Shade tolerant.
Hansa: SHRUB (Rugosa Hybrid) H: 4’ x S: 5’ Upright habit; Large, semi-double, deep magenta flowers. Intoxicating fragrance. Large orange, red hips. Medium green, glossy crinkled foliage with good fall colour. Tough and highly disease resistant. Avoid chemical sprays. Good for exposed sites.
Heritage: ENGLISH ROSE (English Musk) H: 6’+ x S: 4’+ Tall; Upright; Soft blush pink; Double, cup shaped flowers, strong old rose fragrance, continual flowering. Robust. Can be trained as small climber or use at the back of the border. Tolerates some shade.
Home Run: SHRUB H: 3’ x S: 3’ Rounded and bushy. Showy flame red. Masses of single blooms all season. Extremely resistant to blackspot and mildew. Great in pots.
Hot Cocoa: FLORIBUNDA. H: 3’ x S: 3’ Bushy. Smokey chocolate orange. Slight fragrance. Unique colour. Very healthy. Good repeat bloom. 2003 AARS WINNER.
Julia Child: FLORIBUNDA H: 3’ x S: 3’ Rounded and bushy. Butter gold. Fragrant. Old fashioned in appearance. Very healthy and disease resistant. Good repeat bloom. Very consistent in all climates. 2006 AARS WINNER.
Lady Emma Hamilton: ENGLISH ROSE (English Musk) H: 4.5’ X S: 3’ The tight buds are dark red with dashes of orange. The fully open flowers are a lovely mixture of rich tangerine-orange and yellow-orange on the outside. Strong fragrance with hints of pear, grape and citrus fruits. Fairly upright, bushy habit. Free flowering. NEW FOR 2010
La Sevillana: SHRUB H: 3’-3.5’ X S: 3’- 3.5’ Upright , tidy habit. Masses of scarlet blooms over a very long season. Profuse hips. Tolerates poor soils. Disease resistant. This is the variety planted near the Johnson St. Bridge on the road to the Delta Hotel.
LD Braithwaite: ENGLISH ROSE (Old Rose Hybrid) H: 4’ X S: 4’ Robust & bushy, rich glowing crimson, large, very full flowers, light fragrance. Repeat flowering. Very floriferous and healthy.
NEW FOR 2010
Litchfield Angel: ENGLISH ROSE (Old Rose Hybrid) H: 4’ X S: 3’ Neatly formed cups of creamy apricot open to a more domed flower of creamy white. Fully double blooms are lightly fragrant. Vigorous, rounded habit.
NEW FOR 2010
Livin’ Easy: FLORIBUNDA. H: 3’ X S: 3’ Rounded habit. Apricot -orange. Blooms constantly. Very healthy, glossy foliage. Great in mass plantings. Lots of twiggy growth.
Marie Bugnet: SHRUB (Rugosa Hybrid) 4’ X 4’ Rounded habit. Pure white blooms. Very fragrant. Blooms all season long. Highly disease resistant. Hardy and easy to grow. Good near the ocean. Avoid chemical sprays
Mary Rose: ENGLISH ROSE (Old Rose Hybrid) H: 4’ X S: 4’ Rose pink. Very reliable and easy. Nice bushy habit. Good repeat bloom. One of the most popular English roses. Good fragrance.
Molineux: ENGLISH ROSE (English Musk) H : 4’ X S: 2.5’ Fully double rich yellow flowers. Almost continual bloom until late fall. Compact, healthy and bushy habit. Very fragrant. Performs well in all areas.
NEW FOR 2010
Moondance: FLORIBUNDA H: 4’ x S: 4’ Upright to columnar habit. Big clusters of well-formed buds open to Sparkling white blooms on long stems. Good cut flower. Highly resistant to blackspot, mildew and rust. 2007 AARS WINNER
Pat Austin: ENGLISH ROSE (Leander Group) H: 4’ X S: 4’ Vigorous, upright and bushy. Nodding, semi-double blossoms open a stunning coppery orange. Petals are paler on the reverse. Quite fragrant, with glossy dark green foliage. Very unique and eye-catching.
Playboy: FLORIBUNDA. H: 2.5’ x S: 3’ Rounded. Orange & scarlet with a yellow centre. Clusters of large semi-double flowers. Very healthy. Showy and reliable.
Pretty Lady: FLORIBUNDA. H: 3’ x S: 3’ Rounded. Full ruffled blooms are a delicate creamy white. Hardy, free flowering and highly resistant to blackspot.
Pumpkin Patch: FLORIBUNDA H: 3’ X S: 3’ Copper toned buds open caramel-orange. Large clusters of fragrant, medium sized blooms. Shiny green foliage. Very good disease resistance. Good repeat. Colour lasts longer in some afternoon shade.
NEW FOR 2010.
Rosa gymnocarpa: SHRUB (Species) Native to B.C. AKA Baldhip Rose or Wood Rose. Can get to 2 metres in height, usually less. Five petalled, light pink flowers from May – July. Red hips. This is a shade tolerant woodland plant.
Rosa moyesii ‘Eddie’s Jewel’ SHRUB H: 8’ x S: 6’ Large, arching habit. Usually blooms in one big show. Double, bright, brick red. Tolerates shade and poor soils. Produces lots of large orange hips. Bred in B.C. by the same breeder of Cornus ‘Eddie’s White Wonder’.
Rosa nutkana: SPECIES native to B.C. Tall, spreading; Single medium pink flowers; Bright orange hips and red stems are beautiful in winter. Use as a hedge, barrier, with other native plants. Will form a thicket. Tough and drought tolerant. 1 gallon avail.now
Rosa rugosa: SPECIES Upright to 6’. Shades of white to dark pink. Repeat flowering. Large red hips. Extremely tough and hardy and will grow almost anywhere. Spreads widely from suckers. Use as hedging, a barrier, groundcover or specimen. Best choice for exposed areas. Does not like hard pruning or chemical sprays.
Sunsprite: FLORIBUNDA: 2’-2.5’ Bushy. Said to be the best yellow rose, bar none. Deep yellow, long lasting colour, sweet fragrance. Good continuity of bloom and disease resistance.
Topaz Jewel: SHRUB (Rugosa Hybrid). 5’x 7’ Large, arching, bushy habit, Clusters of pale yellow, semi-double flowers with showy orange stamens. Light fragrance. No hips. Free flowering and vigorous. Healthy and tough. Avoid chemical sprays.
Watercolors: SHRUB H: 4’ x S: 4’ Very bushy, rounded to slightly spreading habit. Ever-changing yellows & blushing pinks. Clusters of single blooms. Moderate fragrance.
Wild Blue Yonder: GRANDIFLORA H: 4-5’ S: 3’ Upright and bushy habit. Red-purple with a lavender eye. Strong fragrance. Semi-double flowers look like camellias. Vigorous and healthy. 2006 AARS Winner
Young Lycidas: ENGLISH ROSE (Old Rose Hybrid) H: 4’ X S: 3’ Bushy habit. Blend of deep magenta, rose and pink. Large, fully double blooms. Classic old rose form. Strong fragrance.
NEW FOR 2010
CLIMBERS
Altissimo: MODERN CLIMBER 10’-12’ Vigorous. Long lasting single blooms are Chinese lacquer-red. Blooms well on new and old wood. Good on an arbour, large wall or fence.
Autumn Sunset: MODERN CLIMBER 8’-12’; Clusters of large, double warm apricot gold flowers; Strong fragrance; Free flowering from the first year, blooms on old and new wood; Super disease resistant; Vigorous, shiny green foliage. Sport of Westerland.
Don Juan: MODERN CLIMBER 12’-14’, Deep velvety red. Strong fragrance. Large, full blossoms. Blooms on old and new wood. Glossy, dark green foliage.
Iceberg: CL FLORIBUNDA 10’ -14’ Climbing form of an old favourite. Clusters of ice white blooms. Slight fragrance. Mostly summer flowering. Very showy in bloom. Provide good air circulation to guard against mildew. Shade tolerant.
John Davis: HARDY CLIMBER- EXPLORER SERIES 6’ –8 ‘ Large clusters of double medium pink flowers; Light fragrance; Ever blooming; Hardy and disease resistant. Glossy leathery foliage.
Mme. Alfred Carriere: NOISETTE 15’ x10 ’ Vigorous grower. Fragrant white blossoms are tinged with pink. Repeat flowering over a very long season. Generally healthy, but is slightly prone to mildew - which its good qualities more than compensate for! Tolerates some shade. Suitable for a north wall or growing up a tree or arbour. (introduced in 1879)
New Dawn: WICHURAINA HYBRID 10 -15’ Pale shell pink; Fragrant; Excellent repeat bloom, well into the fall; Vigorous and healthy; Strong flexible growth, will cover a wall or large arch. Watch for mildew on the tips of the canes in late summer. Some call this a rambler, others a climber. It can be treated as either.
Night Owl: MODERN CLIMBER 10’ - 14’ Wine purple. Long lasting bloms hold their colour well. Moderately fragrant. Clean grey-green leaves. Repeats well. Vigorous grower.
Pearly Gates: MODERN CLIMBER 10’ -12’ Pure pastel pink. Blooms on old and new wood. Fragrant. Large, well-formed flowers. Free flowering, but later blooming than some.
Rhonda: MODERN CLIMBER 10’ Clear medium pink. Blooms on old and new wood. Fragrant. Disease resistant. Vigorous.
Royal Sunset: MODERN CLIMBER 8’ –10’ Elegant buds and large orangey apricot flowers have the look of an old rose. Blooms on old and new wood. Fragrant. Vigorous.
Westerland: MODERN SHRUB 7’- 8’; Blended peachy orange; Moderate fragrance; Highly disease resistant and vigorous. Blooms freely the first season on old and new wood. Best grown against a wall or trellis.
English Roses That Can Be Trained As Climbers
Abraham Darby
Brother Cadfael
Crocus Rose
Eglantyne
Golden Celebration
Graham Thomas
Heritage
TREE ROSES Not available bare root
36” Cinco de Mayo: FLORIBUNDA , Rounded and bushy. Smokey lavender & rusty red-orange blend. Good repeat bloom over a long season. Moderate fragrance. Clean glossy foliage. Interesting colour blend goes well with most other colours. 2009 AARS Winner
36” Drop Dead Red: FLORIBUNDA Red velvet red. Intense colour doesn’t fade as blooms age. Shows well against the deep green foliage. Mild fragrance. Very healthy. NEW FOR 2010
36” Flower Carpets – Apple Blossom, Pink Supreme, Scarlet
36” Iceberg: FLORIBUNDA Clusters of ice white blooms. Slight fragrance. Mostly summer flowering. Very showy in bloom. Provide good air circulation to guard against mildew. Shade tolerant.
36”Julia Child: FLORIBUNDA. Rounded and bushy. Butter gold. Fragrant. Old fashioned in appearance. Very healthy and disease resistant. Good repeat bloom. Very consistent in all climates.
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