Roses in General

Strictly speaking, 'old garden roses' are those that belong to classes introduced prior to 1867. In that year, the first hybrid tea rose, La France, was introduced. Old garden roses include the Bourbon, China, Damask, Gallica, Noisette, and Tea roses.
Using this classification, roses in classes developed later than 1867 are considered modern roses. Modern roses include the Polyantha, Hybrid Musk, Floribunda, Hybrid Tea, Miniature, and Shrub roses.
But, the word Œantique¹ is commonly used to describe any roses introduced in the early 1900¹s or before, and sometimes for modern roses that have antique-rose characteristics. In addition to the classes of old garden roses, polyantha, hybrid musk, and early hybrid tea roses are often considered 'antique' roses. . We also see these roses described as old-fashioned, heirloom, or vintage roses.

Own-root roses are those grown on their own roots, just like any normal plant. Grafted roses are created when the bud of a desired rose is grafted onto the roots of a 'rootstock' rose.

Classification is based both on parentage and characteristics. For example, a rose with a miniature and rambler as parents, may be either a miniature or rambler, but it could also be a polyantha if it is a short cluster-flowering shrub.

In general, roses are either once-blooming (nonremontant) or repeat-blooming (remontant). Once-blooming roses have a 3-6 week bloom period in spring or summer. Repeat-blooming roses bloom in spring, and then have another bloom in autumn. Continuous-blooming roses repeat flushes every 6-8 weeks from spring through autumn. Everblooming have some blooms nearly constantly from spring through autumn. However, these terms are used very loosely, and the frequency of rebloom varies with growing conditions.