Hybrid Musk Roses

The musk rose (R. Moschata) probably originates from India or southern China. Many of the repeat-flowering shrub roses descend from it. Rev. Pemberton bred the first long-flowering rose shrubs with large flower clusters in Essex at the beginning of the 20th century. The bushes, which bloom in beautiful pastel shades, keep flowering until autumn.

Many give off an intense musk-like fragrance. Most Moschata hybrids are well suited to natural gardens. Until winter they carry clusters of decorative rose hips, which birds like to feed on. Their single or only loosely double flowers with easily accessible stamens attract bees.

Most of the Lens roses and other well-known varieties such as Mozart and Ballerina also belong to this group of cluster-flowering roses.