Moss Roses

by Ivy Bodin                                                     

The Moss rose family of roses resulted many years ago from a mutation in the Centifolia family of roses (those hundred-petalled, cabbage-like. cupped blooms so glorified by the Dutch master artists).  They were known to be in existence in the 1600s and 1700s.  It seems in the mid-1800s the French hybridizers utilized this class of roses in developing many  varieties and some of these exquisite blooms are still available to us today.  Characteristic of the Mosses are a raised bumpy green growth on buds that have a resinous fragrance when rubbed with one's fingers. 

  Mme. Louis Leveque

In Southern California the bushes are very vigorous and can get quite large for some varieties  with an ability to send out colonies of new plants.  They  are fairly resistant to disease and some minor powdery mildew can be observed.  Also  at times foilage can develop dried brown/yellow splotches that growers sometime label as "Moss/Portland grunge".  The exquisite multi-petalled blooms almost glow with a porcelain-like quality that make any other imperfections seem minor concerns.  Although many of the mosses are once bloomers, some are remontant. A highly recommended class of roses for rose connoiseurs.

Ivy's Moss Roses - All Roses Grown and Photographed by Ivy Bodin.