‘Golden Wings’, one of my favorite roses, has performed extremely well for us in our garden and richly deserves its category of “Outstanding” in the Roses In Review survey of the American Rose Society. It scored 8.8 out of a possible 10.0 points.

It is always in flower and is winter hardy in USDA Zones 4-9. Very disease resistant, this rose requires very little attention.

The flowers are medium yellow when they open, becoming paler as they age, and the stamens have an attractive and contrasting darker color than the petals. Flowers have 5 to 7 petals and the fragrance is moderate, pleasant and fresh. The bush can get 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide.

Flowers of this rose have all the charm and grace of the old-fashioned, heritage roses. The classic old rose shape is very different from the modern high centered Hybrid Tea. Flowers are flat, double, and very fragrant. This rose flowers constantly, unlike most old roses, many of which bloom only once a year. Disease resistance and winter hardiness are good (USDA Zones 4-9). The plant grows to four feet tall and wide so give it room.

This rose was introduced by Desprez, in France, in 1842 and is classed as a Hybrid Perpetual. In the United States it is often sold as ‘Jacques Cartier’ and in England as ‘Marchesa Boccella’. It is sometimes also known as ‘Marquise Boccella’. However, if you want to exhibit the flowers under the rules of the American Rose Society it must be shown as ‘Marchesa Boccella’.

In the 2007 Roses In Review survey of the American Rose Society, this rose received a score of 9.0 out of a possible 10.0 putting it in the “Outstanding” category.

Old roses are rarely available in local garden centers, but it doesn’t hurt to askwhether they can special order it for you. Also, look for them online to have them delivered right to your door.

 The Hybrid China rose ‘Mutabilis’ is a very old rose that comes to us from China. It is an “Outstanding” rose, ranking 8.9 out of 10.0 points in the Roses In Review program of the American Rose Society for 2007. The flowers open yellow and turn orange, then pink, and finally red as they age. The bush is very resistant to disease and produces flowers constantly. Its only flaw is that it has no fragrance. Winter hardy in USDA Zones 5-9.