Unique Characteristics
Each division has unique characteristics, but still offers a wide variety of color and bloom. If you are new to the antiques, visit your local nurseries and see what is available. Visit the local rose growing societies, and visit with gardeners who have them. Then experiment. Some possible starters include:
'Mermaid' which is a vigorous and thorny plant. It blooms from late spring until frost with large, single yellow flowers. It grows quickly, blooms long, but does have big thorns.
"Old Blush" is a common old rose, with again, a long blooming period. It blooms profusely with double light pink blossoms in the spring, then slows down a little during the hot dry summer, and bounces back in the fall. This vigorous shrub rose gets five to six feet in height and spread.
`Zephirine Drouhin' is a wonderful climber with thornless stems. It is extremely fragrant with semi double dark pink flowers primarily in the spring, with a smaller show occasionally in the fall. The growth habit, coupled with thornless stems makes this one a winner.