Glossary of Rose Terms

Everything you want to know about bare root roses

Growing roses can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be. Here are a list of some of the more commonly used phrases to help you get started.
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Old English rose

There is no such thing, actually. It is an erroneous combination of Old Garden Rose and English Rose.

Old-Garden rose (aka: OGR)

Defined by the American Rose Society as being a member of a rose class that existed prior to the introduction of the first Hybrid La France, in 1867. Ferdinand Pichard, introduced in 1921, is an old-garden rose because its class, the Hybrid Perpetuals, existed before 1867.

Once-blooming (aka: Summer-f lowering)

A rose that has one annual bloom over an extended period in late spring or early summer. Most species and many old garden roses are onceblooming. Most modern roses are not.

Own-root

A rose that is grown directly on its own roots rather than by budding onto a rootstock. In severe winter areas, own-root roses offer the advantage of being able to regenerate true-to-name directly from their roots. Some roses, Gallicas in particular, will grow so readily on their own roots that they can become invasive if left unchecked.