Wild roses

[George B]

Whats going on with the wild rose species. I didnt like them from the start. Now my distributor no longer carries them, swiched to wild rose. This could be that their supplier(s) have now converted to the wild thing as well. New market or huge phase I dont know.

What is it that the Wild rose has that the Hybrid tea doesnt. The Hybrid tea has a beautiful blossom, more petal count, well formed shape.

I get customers that tell me that their not suppose to be pruned cuz their half wild. This is a huge misunderstanding.

I have seen a customer that had about 40 or more on their property line. I did ask her about pruning and her answer was " their not suppose to be pruned cuz their half wild" I wanted to know who gave her this method. Im pretty sure either the dealer wasnt fully informed or wanted the roses to get woody and old and eventually looking forward for the customer to replace those old ugly roses.
By the way I still supply the Hybrid tea and Grandiflora rose.

What are your thoughts about Wild Roses. George.

[3girls]

I'm not sure what you are referring to as wild roses.

There is a beast called multiflora rose that was promoted in the 20's or 30's that took over America. Many a farmer has cursed the day they were planted.

On the other hand, there are some wonderful roses, half wild, that are the Rosa rugosa's. I just love them. They have mostly single flowers followed by huge rose hips. I want a bunch for the perimeters of our property.

Raintree Nursery used to carry them.

[George B]

Im referring to the Rugosas. Maybe Raintree is seeing them like I see them. Like you said mainly single blooms, where as the Tea's are mostly double with a pettal count of 30 or more. The Rugosa has some that have a 30+ pettal count but not many, most are under 10.
George.

[Ann B.]

Actually, the majority of my antique roses are doubled, and when I say doubled, I mean even more doubled than my hybrid teas or grandifloras.

I have heard of the multifloras, and I don't think any of mine fall into that category.

My favorites tend to be the ones that are more like the English roses. The flowers are larger than my grandifloras, but not as large as my Mr. Lincoln, Tropicana or Climbing peace. They are, however, easier to maintain in my humid environment. I have never had to spray them for black spot which is a real problem for me. I also do not have to fertilize them as often to keep them healthy looking and blooming.

None of mine have spread from the roots. I do have two that have little sprouts nearby, but they appear to have soil layered the natural way. Those two are Climbing Coltide Support (I'll have to check the spelling when I have time) and The Fairy.

The Fairy is becoming one of my all time favorites because it is small yet blooms almost continually from early spring to early winter. It has small doubled flowers arranged in large clusters. They root easily, and I started many from the bucket of cuttings my sister brought to me from Texas. Most of those plants were given to family members. They grow very well in a pot because of the small plant size.

What can I say? I don't have any complaints about my collection. Each and everyone has performed quite well for me, and the frangrance is wonderful.

The only problem I have had is the mistake of planting the red passiflora too close to them. The vine absolutely covered 50 feet of fence. Even with that, the roses don't seem to mind...

I don't think any of mine are considered 'wild'. I am not sure what 'wild' roses means... And yes, I realize that our milder winters allow me to grow more varieties of 'own root' roses. In fact, I suspect that there are many hybrids that would survive on their own roots in our climate.

One thing for sure, I don't worry about pruning the OGR's the way I did with my hybrids. Aphids are rarely a problem for me. I do my best to encourage critters, like lizards, that feast on them.

[George B]

Ann- you've touched a few of my favourites. Chrysler Imperial, Mr Lincoln, Oklahoma, Tropicana, Double Delight, you cant forget about the entire PEACE family. Cant go wrong with any rose mentioned.

Ann I spray all our roses to control Black spot and Aphids and just keeps them looking good.

Ann from your response I see that the Half wild roses arent your cup of tea either.

By the way I havent seen any Lizards yet. Ive battled with the Garden snakes I dont want to see lizards. George.

[Ann B.]

George,

If you had the tiny little lizards that we have, you wouldn't mind them. They are such good critters. They never bother anything, and there is always an ample supply of the 'babies' around here.

I do not like the garden snakes. I don't care if they are harmless or not. The eat my frogs, and I encourage frogs also, so snakes are OUT in my book. Female thing? That's okay! I am female!

I don't know about wild roses or half wild. I don't have experience with them, so I cannot say much about them except that some have complained about the invasive ones. I encourage discussions on any type of invasive roses because I surely do not want any. Like I said, I have heard of them, but never experienced any...

I do like the old garden roses that I have, otherwise known as antique roses. They are easy care, and they bloom like crazy without all the spraying and fertilizing.

I like what I have, and I wish I could do more with the hybrids, but right now I cannot. That is my climate, and if they require too much work for HERE, I pass them along to my friends who can enjoy them. They are gorgeous, and I am envious of those who grow them without problems.

Enjoy you roses! I do...