Yes, you have an own-root plant. If an Alba, it should be quite cold hardy in your climate. Unlike citrus, where the rootstock can give cold-hardiness to a grafted scion, that doesn't seem to happen in roses -- the scion (top of the graft -- the part that makes the leaves, stems, and flowers) has its own degree of cold-hardiness regardless of what it is (or isn't) grafted to, and the rootstock (the bottom part of the graft, providing the roots and perhaps a bit of the lower trunk) is also independent of the scion for its level of hardiness. With a grafted rose, if you planted it with the graft union above ground, it is possible for the rootstock to freeze out from under a hardy scion, in which case you lose the bush. That's why northern gardeners usually bury the union deep enough to avoid that happening. You'll not have to worry about that with your own-root plant, though.

Do you have photos of the rose from last spring or summer -- flowers, leaves, thorns, etc.? If so, someone here may be able to help identify it.

Malcolm

Where I am, the big advantage of rootstock is that it gives the rose vigor it wouldn't otherwise have. So a rose that dies back over the winter will rebound much better on a vigorous rootstock than it would own-root. Since albas are usually tip hardy, it wouldn't be an issue with them since even if they aren't vigorous, it isn't that big a deal if it takes more than one growing season to build up to a reasonable (to the rose) size.

Thank you Malcolm and Mad Gallica. I really appreciate the information. Perhaps I could ask one more question? Now that I have rooted the cuttings this fall/winter, should I plant them out this spring/summer? Or keep them in pots until next spring?

Thanks again, I feel I understand the issue of rootstock quite a bit better now. And I plan to take a picture of the rose bush this spring when it's in bloom and post it here for ID. I am intrigued to know what it is.

I guess I would keep them in pots for a bit longer and plant out in autumn - always seems less stress for the plants and watering isn't usually so necessary.

Thanks Campanula. That's good advice, and that's what I'll do. Our falls are pretty rainy, so she'll get a good watering in. Thanks again, everyone!