The Roses of Nantucket
and oh the stories they could tell
Another Nantucket summer is upon us which means it’s time to put on your linen dresses, go to the beach, have dinner in town and explore the island with all its gorgeous blooms. For me it means wandering around the island looking for the most Instagram-worthy spots to share with you all. A question I get asked a lot this time of year is “what kind of rose is that?!” So I’ve decided to breakdown the Sconset roses—and, more generally, Nantucket—in a blog post so you can learn about the varieties and know which is which! I’d like to offer a fair warning though—as I often tell people in the comments on Instagram—I’m a rose (and hydrangea) admirer only, unfortunately, I do not know the best tips & tricks for making them grow.
New dawn climbing roses
You can find these blush-pink beauties climbing all over Nantucket homes—especially in Sconset. They begin blooming mid-June and continue to do so throughout the summertime. One of our favorite homes with a stunning display of New Dawn roses is the famous Eagle Cottage which is pictured below. Love climbing roses as much as us? You can purchase the Eagle Cottage print or the Constitution print to hang in your own home to remind you of the beauty of Nantucket summers. Looking for something you can take with you wherever you go? If you take a closer look at our Cottage Bag you’ll see a sketch of some New Dawns climbing on our cottage!
While I do not have anything that comes close to looking like a green thumb—my photo of Eagle Cottage was featured in a Better Homes and Garden article which tells you everything you need to know about growing your own New Dawn climbing roses!
American pillar climbing roses
These carmine-pink roses are another fan favorite and it’s not hard to see why—I mean, just look at them! The famous Mitchell Street house has become engulfed by the American Pillar throughout the years and is frequently photographed during the summer. I’d love to know how old the vines are—I can just imagine the stories the roses could tell! While the Mitchell St. house is by far the most famous example, there are plenty of American Pillar vines climbing all over other homes in Sconset and the rest of the island.
We at anantucketsummer are such big fans of this rose we designed a bag in their honor! The Rose Tote features one of my photos of the American Pillar roses printed on a medium weight canvas and is finished off with custom-made webbing and leather handles. This tote is perfect for any and all Nantucket activities—especially strolling through Sconset in June and July!
Excelsa rambling rose
The last rose I get asked about is the Excelsa Rambling Rose—my personal favorite! This crimson rose climbs all over fences, arches, walls and pergolas and repeatedly blooms in clusters from midsummer to fall. Every time I see them, they remind me of roses on a (cup)cake—probably why they’re my favorite (and why I’m now craving cupcakes…). Like the New Dawn & American Pillars, these grow all over the island but are especially popular in Sconset.
While there are plenty of other varieties I could tell you about, these are the three roses I’m most frequently asked about. Hopefully after reading this, you can point out which rose is which on your next trip to Nantucket! And if you’re looking for the right direction to see the climbing roses in action—let our Itinerary Bag be your guide.
