Rose nursery Belle Epoque brings back roses from old masters
Belle Epoque presented a collection of rare and forgotten garden rose varieties at an event at the Van Loon Museum in Amsterdam. These vintage climbing and shrub roses, each with a history and story, are grown in very small quantities. The roses are easy to plant at home. Workshops are also offered. The constantly changing selection is here to view.

Belle Epoque conducted extensive research into the roses depicted in still lifes, spending years studying art from European museums and botanical gardens. The result is a rose collection that is continually supplemented with exceptional varieties of shrub and climbing roses. From wild roses from the Greek period, cultivated for medicinal and cosmetic purposes, to those seen in 17th-century still lifes, and the most exuberant varieties that emerged during the Belle Epoque—the period when rose cultivation reached its peak.
The roses can be ordered through the Belle Epoque webshop, either in pots or as traditional rhizomes in autumn and winter. Planting and caring for the roses is easy, especially because they are proven to be strong and healthy varieties. This way, everyone can experience their beauty at home or give them as a gift.
The collection consists of wild roses, centifolia (hundred-petaled rose), damask rose, alba rose, and rare old roses and will be continuously expanded. These roses are featured in still lifes by Old Masters such as Rachel Ruysch. Examples include the apothecary rose, cultivated in France since the 13th century, roses that graced the gardens of Joséphine de Beauharnais and the French court, such as Rosa Félicité et Perpétue, and Rosa Centifolia Muscosa, which serves as the basis for the world-famous perfume Chanel No. 5.
For inspiration, workshops can be attended that are organised in collaboration with master binder Karin Looijestein.
Styling: Master of Flowers
Photography: Nancy van Schijndel and Roel Marius Brouwer

For more information, interviews and presentations on the topic
Assortment: Forgotten Roses
E-mail: info@belle-epoque.nl
Terra Nova Estate, Loenen aan de Vecht
Or view our rose and plant collections here:
- Planting roses
- Order climbing roses online
- Shrub roses online order
- David Austin roses
- English roses
- Rambler roses
- Order Clematis
- Order lavender
- Food and accessories for planting roses or plants