Although not as widely popular as they should be, single petalled roses are the reason we have roses today, for all the original roses (species) were single petalled. By single petalled we mean they have a single row of petals, often 4-8. Rosa sericea pteracantha is one of the few roses with 4 petals. Others such as Oriental Charm have up to 8 petals, mostly in a somewhat single row. When the rose has a second set of petals off and on, it becomes semi-double (8-20). Double petalled are 20 on up.

Single petalled roses are charming and beautiful in their simplistic way. These roses growing in the wild make beautiful plants when in full bloom. They survived for centuries with no care, watering, culture etc. We don’t know when they were first cultivated, but most likely it was by the Chinese. About 80% of the species roses were found in the Asian area, especially China. All species roses were found in the Northern Hemisphere, none in the Southern Hemisphere. The Southern area roses were introduced by man, nature, or by animal.

Some of these wild roses sported genetically into a very double form. These roses are named scientifically “plena,” which means double. These double roses were freaks of nature. Since they were so full, it was difficult, if not impossible, for them to self-seed or to be pollinated naturally through insects. So it is not surprising that these double roses were not major players in the production of modern roses. The best known of these plena roses are the Chestnut Rose (Rosa roxburghii plena) and Rosa californica plena.

Only a few of the single petalled roses were used for breeding today’s roses. C. C. Hurst suggests that most of today’s roses came from Rosa gallica, Rosa phoenica, Rosa moschata, and Rosa damascena. These are but 4 of the hundreds of species roses that are known. Others that were used later included Rosa eglanteria, Rosa multiflora and Rosa wichuraiana.

These single petalled roses are beautiful and should be used in every landscape, whether they are once or repeat blooming. For those who have seen the white garden at Sissinghurst Castle in England knows of the beauty of the massive specimen of Rosa longicuspus (actually Rosa mulliganii). The huge heads of pure white single petalled, very fragrant blooms are a true delight. The same could be said for other tall growing rambler and species roses that are awesome grown against a building, over a bank, wall, fence, up a tree, pillar, or a pergola.

Some of the best once blooming, climbing type, single petalled roses include the following:

Bobbie James – one of the most popular once blooming ramblers in England. I saw a great specimen of this pure white rose in Albuquerque. Very fragrant, this rose can cover a gazebo easily.

Rosa filipes “Kiftsgate” – probably one of the largest roses, it can grow up to 50’+. This rose will produce large heads of very small white flowers. The plant is literally “covered” with blooms. It is also a late season bloomer.

Montecito – a hybrid gigantea, this is another of the largest roses around. The yellowish blooms are huge, often 8 to 9 inches across. Not winter hardy.

Rosa brunonii – another popular rambler used for pergolas in England. Another large rose with very fragrant rose with large heads of white blooms.

Rosa banksiae normalis and lutescens – the single petalled versions of the popular white and yellow Lady Banks roses. These vigorous plants have near evergreen foliage and are one of the first roses to bloom. In our warmer climates, we are often blessed with repeat blooms.

Rosa multiflora – one of the original members of the ramblers. It has strong stiff canes and produces clusters of small white blooms. There are several interesting subspecies including the Bamboo Rose (Rosa multiflora watsoniana).

Wedding Day – another popular white rambler in England. There is a magnificent specimen growing over the office building at St. Albans, home of the Royal National Rose Society.

Dupontii – Another popular rambler for pergolas or even a single specimen. A beautiful rose, it is an example of the single pistil of the synstylae. It is also very fragrant and the blooms are the purest white.

Francis E. Lester – one of the most beautiful single petalled hybrid musks. Very clean plant with very fragrant white blooms.

American Pillar – one of the most popular ramblers in any country. A US introduction, this red with white centered rose can get mildew.

Newport Fairy – this large plant is one of the most popular ramblers. Large heads of reddish-pink blooms that cover the plant and emits a pleasant perfume. Good for growing up trees.

Rosa laevigata – one of my favorite species. This vigorous grower has super clean foliage, and pure white blooms that seem to last forever.

The best of the once blooming, single petalled roses that are best as stand alone landscape type plants:

Rosa canina – this rose grows wild naturally throughout Europe. It forms a large shrub like mass with white blooms. It is commonly nicknamed the Dog Rose.

Rosa carolina – a native US rose, this species has large pink blooms. Grows to around 4’.

Rosa setigera – another US native with deep pink blooms. A late season bloomer.

Rosa stellata mirifica – The Gooseberry Rose, another US native with parsley like foliage and spiked hips. A low stature plant. One of my favorites.

Nevada – this white hybrid moyesii and its pink sport, Marguerite Hilling, are among the first roses to bloom in the spring. They form large shrubs that will be covered with blooms. May repeat, can also be grown as a climber.

Complicata – a large mounding plant, the large pink blooms are near perfection.

Rosa hugonis – Father Hugo’s Rose, this was one of the highest rated species roses by the American Rose Society. An early bloomer, this plant makes a large mound of yellow blooms.

Rosa eglanteria – The Sweet Briar Rose, this rose is better known for it’s place in Shakespearean history and it’s apple scented foliage than for the blooms. This rose was used to produce many once blooming hybrids, mostly by Penzance.

Austrian Copper (Rosa foetida bicolor) – this red and yellow bloomed plant is an early bloomer and puts on quite a display. The rest of the year the plant is rather haggard looking. Grows to about 6 feet.

Max Graf – one of the best once blooming ground covers. Bright pink blooms with golden centers, covers a large amount of ground. There is also a Red Max Graf.

Rosa wichuraiana – the original member of some ramblers and ground cover type roses. The canes are loose, thin, and pliable. Can be pegged down to cover a hillside. Called the Memorial Rose, it has small clusters of white blooms.

For small gardens or even containers, there are some petite single petalled roses.

Rosa sonomensis – there are several members of this small, low growing plant with pink blooms. Rarely exceeds 18 inches; it has deep pink blooms.

Rosa spithamea – another low growing rose, called the California Ground Rose. Grows about 18 inches high.

Nomozi – this mini rose is part low growing ground cover or climber if trained. The plant is covered with small white blooms. Popular rose for rock gardens.

As you can see there are plenty of single petalled roses available for most uses. In the second half of this article, we will cover the repeat blooming single petalled roses.