Disease resistance in roses
is a very subjective thing:- Iceberg for instance is a popular healthy
rose, as are the Flower Carpets, yet both can mildew quite badly on occasions.
In recent years breeders have
paid alot more attention to disease freedom, with increasingly good results.
However most rose health information is anecdotal. Here in Australia
many new roses are being screened at the Adelaide National Rose Gardens
for disease resistance. There are a great many roses described
as "healthy" but only included here are those with some acclaim to resistance.
Similarly, there are a great many promising varieties which may match or
surpass these presently listed. Naturally, comments
are welcome regarding the observed health of any listed (or otherwise).
Unfortunately the terms "healthy" and "resistant" are somewhat interchangeable
but "disease free" is quite precise. Note also that here priority
is given to health over floral prowness; but breeders are rapidly converging
the two traits. Perpetual flowering, scented, disease free, thornless
roses; here we come! The list following contains a mixture
of bush roses, climbers, miniature and ground covers etc. (Caps are incidental)
Rose Released Colour Height Perfume Flower type Resistance Details Class
Alberic Barbier White
shade tolerant white
Aotearoa New Zealand -
pink HT bush
ARCHIDUC JOSEPH Red
Tall *** Double ***** Brick to carmine red, recommended Tea aka Monsieur
Tillier red ***** tall HT
AUSTRALIA FAIR * Pink Low
*** Semi-Double ***** Named to honour our Centenary of Federation Bedding
Pink *****
BANKSIA DOUBLE WHITE
White V.Tall *** Double ***** Thornless, masses of flowers in spring, sweet
scent Species white *****
BANKSIA DOUBLE YELLOW
Yellow V.Tall * Double ***** Thornless, masses of flowers in spring Species
yell *****
Bonica pink pink
cluster prolific Bush
Cecile Brunner Climbing Climber;
light pink, light fragrance, up to 12ft. Walls and arches Pink
Climbing
Compassion Large-flowered
Climber; pink, shaded apricot, very fragrant (M) Pink
Climbing
Complicata (Ariana d'Algier)
pink blend not repeat Med. Frag. Gallica
Crystal Fairy (PGA) 2002 white
.5m The fairy/ White Carpet type Ground cover
Dublin Bay (Macdub) Large-flowered
Climber; deep red, some fragrance (S) red
Climbing
EGLANTERIA Pink Tall
*** Single ***** Lovely aromatic foliage, spring Old
Ekstase PBR (Kordes) Highly
fragrant cut flower variety. The red blooms are produced singly and also
several to a stem. Plant habit is strong with healthy dark foliage. (Standards
$25.00ea.) red
Elina Very large well formed
blooms of lemon to light yellow. Freely produced on a plant of exceptionally
healthy and plentiful growth. yell
FLINDERS Pink Low ***
Double ***** Good low shrub/ground cover. Little maintenance Clg/Ramb/GC
Flower Carpet Pink (Noatraum)
Ground Cover Shrub; deep pink, some fragrance (W) Pink
GC
Friesia syn Sunsprite * Yellow
Medium ***** Semi-Double *** Intense clear yellow in clusters Bedding
FRU DAGMAR HASTRUP Pink
Low *** Single ***** Continuous display of large blooms Early recurrent
Magic Carpet (Jaclover) (hb)
Ground Cover Rose; lavender, fragrant Lavender
MAWSON * White Low *** Semi-Double
***** Best described as a low growing Iceberg Bush
Mme Plantier white
not repeat Med. Frag. Alba
New Dawn Rambler; shell pink,
fragrant (M) Pink Low *** Double *** Repeated display , thick
glossy foliage Screen
ONKAPARINGA Pink Medium
***** Double ***** Australian bred rose of exceptional performance True
Blue Pink ***** prolific Bush
Our Rosy Carpet Masses of
semi-double, rose pink blooms are produced continuously. Extremely healthy
and hardy. Approx. 80cm high by 1.2m wide. Also makes an excellent 80cm
standard or tall weeping standard. $9.50ea or $75.00 per 10, $300.00 per
50, Pink
Precious Platinum An excellent
dual purpose rose of very good growth and disease resistance. Blooms are
bright crimson red produced singly on long strong stems. Dark green foliage.
Highly recommended. red
ROSERAIE DE L'HAY dark red
Medium *** Semi-Double ***** Large double peony-like blooms Rugosa
red ***** Modern Rugosa
Rugosa Roses - all varieties
RUGSPIN Lavender Medium
***** Single ***** Very large blooms and hips Early recurrent Rugosa
St. Patrick - yellow blend
yell HT
Star Struck PBR Multi-petalled
blooms of pastel peach to buff apricot are produced continuously in large
clusters. A tough landscaping or hedging plant with excellent disease resistance.
Ideal as a specimen or planted en masse. Winner of the 1999 Hardiest
apricot 1.5x1.2 contin bush
The Mayflower 2003 Pink Bush
completely res. David Austin Heritage
Traviata (Meilland) 2002 red
bush med 1.2m old fashioned heritage
References
Botanicas Roses Random House
1998 Peter Beales et al.
The NZ Book of Roses John
Martin & Colin Hutchinson 1992 Palmers Gardenworld & Whitcoulls
With special acknowledgement
& thanks to:-
![]() |
![]() |
| This page has been accessed times. |
| Disclaimer- information contained on this page is no guarantee of performance or otherwise. |