Jason from Fraser Valley Rose Farm concludes his fascinating series on old garden roses with one of his personal favorites—the Portland roses. Often overshadowed by their more famous successors, these roses represent a critical turning point in rose history. Their story intertwines with the excitement of reblooming roses in Europe, a genetic puzzle, and a legacy that influenced the development of modern garden roses.
Jason starts the discussion with a rose that epitomizes this group: the mysterious yet humble ‘Duchess of Portland.’ Even in December, this resilient rose bears buds and blooms, a testament to its remarkable ability to rebloom—a trait almost unheard of among European roses of its time. But the story of the Portland roses extends far beyond their garden appeal, into a deeper mystery of their origins and impact.
A Mystery of Genetics and Origins
The story of the Portland roses begins with the ‘Duchess of Portland,’ a simple yet enchanting rose. Its wide-open, hot pink flowers were not the reason for its fame—after all, its Gallica and Damask ancestors had plenty of charm in their blooms. What set this rose apart was its reblooming habit. While European roses of the 18th century typically bloomed only once in spring, the Duchess offered repeat flowering, a trait that tantalized gardeners and breeders alike.
Where did it come from? Legend has it that the rose was brought to England from Italy by either the second or third Duchess of Portland. This account, while romantic, lacks hard evidence. For years, some speculated that it descended from a cross with Slater’s Crimson China, one of the first China roses to reach Europe. However, modern genetic testing debunked this theory, confirming instead that the ‘Duchess of Portland’ was likely the result of a cross between the Autumn Damask (Rosa damascena bifera), an ancient reblooming rose, and a Gallica rose.
This finding deepened the mystery. Reblooming in roses is thought to be a recessive trait, meaning both parent roses typically need to carry the gene for the offspring to inherit it. Yet the Autumn Damask is a sparse rebloomer, and Gallicas are strictly once-blooming. How this cross produced such a strong rebloomer remains unexplained, but it was a genetic anomaly that laid the foundation for a new class of roses.
The Creation of the Portland Class
When French breeders began experimenting with the ‘Duchess of Portland,’ they crossed it with their beloved Gallicas and created a class of reblooming roses. These were not perpetually blooming roses like modern Hybrid Teas but could flower in distinct flushes throughout the season. The roses retained the compact habit and rich fragrance of their Gallica heritage, blending it with the reblooming potential of the Autumn Damask. The result was a collection of roses that were both practical and exquisite for European gardens.
The scent of the Portland roses is a notable highlight. Combining the rich, heady perfume of Damasks with the longer-lasting, softer fragrance of Gallicas, Portland roses produced what many enthusiasts consider the finest fragrance in roses. Jason highlights Rose de Rescht as a prime example of this blend, a rose with a deep, captivating scent and densely packed flowers.
Why Portland Roses Captured Hearts
During their heyday in the early 19th century, Portland roses enjoyed immense popularity. They offered traits gardeners coveted: a shorter, more compact growth habit ideal for small gardens, beautiful old-fashioned blooms, and a fragrance that delighted the senses. Unlike taller roses such as Damasks or Albas, Portland roses fit neatly into garden beds and required less maintenance, although they were not entirely immune to foliar diseases.
Their colors spanned a pleasing range from white (Blanc de Vibert) to pale pink (Comte de Chambord) and deeper shades of pink or crimson (Rose de Rescht). These hues harmonized with the classic “old rose” look that dominated European tastes before the rise of modern hybrids.
The Decline of Portland Roses
Despite their early success, Portland roses quickly fell out of favor. Around the mid-19th century, breeders began introducing Hybrid Perpetuals, a new class that combined the best traits of multiple rose groups, including Portland roses, Bourbons, and Chinas. Hybrid Perpetuals brought larger blooms, a broader color palette, and even greater vigor, overshadowing the Portlands.
Adding to the confusion, many early rosarians mistakenly assumed Portland roses were closely related to the China roses. This misconception led to their classification as precursors to the Hybrid Perpetuals rather than recognizing their distinct lineage from Gallicas and Damasks. By the time Hybrid Teas arrived in the late 19th century, Portland roses had almost entirely disappeared from nurseries.
Modern Survivors: Portland Roses Today
Today, Portland roses are rare gems, with only a dozen or so varieties still available commercially in North America. Jason mentions some standout varieties that remain beloved by enthusiasts. These include:
- Jacques Cartier, often praised as one of the finest roses for its densely petaled, flat blooms and enchanting fragrance.
- Duchess of Portland, the originator of the class and still an excellent garden shrub with simple flowers
- Rose de Rescht, a compact rose with deeply colored blooms and exceptional scent.
- Comte de Chambord, offering soft pink flowers and a rich fragrance.
- Blanc de Vibert, an elegant white rose with a classic old-world charm.
These roses hold a special place in heritage rose collections and are a reminder of their pivotal role in rose breeding history.
A Place in History
Portland roses represent a unique chapter in the evolution of garden roses. Jason notes that their timing was both a blessing and a curse. Their reblooming trait was revolutionary, but the arrival of China roses and the subsequent development of Hybrid Perpetuals quickly pushed them aside. Yet their legacy lives on through their influence on modern hybrids.
For gardeners seeking something different, Portland roses offer a combination of history, fragrance, and beauty that few other roses can match. Jason encourages rose lovers to give these forgotten treasures a place in their gardens.
Closing Thoughts
As Jason wraps up his series on old garden roses, he reflects on how Portland roses exemplify the rich history and complexity of rose breeding. Their story, from the genetic anomaly of the ‘Duchess of Portland’ to their influence on later hybrids, highlights the innovation and passion that have shaped the world of roses. Whether you grow them for their compact habit, exceptional fragrance, or historical significance, Portland roses are a testament to the enduring allure of these remarkable plants.
For those eager to learn more, Jason’s playlist on old garden roses offers a deep dive into the fascinating world of heritage roses. And for the most patient viewers, he shares a fun snippet about Rose du Roi, one of the most famous Portland roses and an early Hybrid Perpetual. Its name and legacy were shaped as much by political tides as by its garden performance, a fitting tribute to the intrigue surrounding Portland roses.
