Sean McCann, any thoughts about his roses?

5 years ago

I forget how I stumbled across Sean McCann, but after I read his obituary (linked from HMF, which also mentioned he is the father of Colum McCann), I decided to order one of his books. I bought it quite cheaply from an online bookseller, and when I received it, I was surprised to find it was signed by the author at an event in Redding, Calif. in 1998:

So, based on this, I decided to try one of his roses, and I have ordered 'Bud Meyers' from RVR. I'm wondering if anybody else is still growing his roses and has any opinions on others I should try. Also looking forward to diving into the book.

Featured Answer

jerijen

5 years ago

Let me just wipe my eyes. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED SEAN.

I have ONE of his roses . . . 'Gentle Annie' and it's a winner.

He told me once that he couldn't bear to throw a rose away, so when he went through his seedlings, he packed the rejects in his car, and took them out and planted them out in the Irish countryside. It delighted him to think about how people might find them one day, and be confused.

'Gentle Annie'

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

roseseek
5 years ago
Yes, he was one in a million and a desperately missed friend. I've had a number of his roses over the years and agree that Gentle Annie (named for his sister in law, of whom he said, "she is the gentlest person I have ever known") is superb. In Zone 9b, Newhall, it was as good as Iceberg for landscaping, only without the occasional mildew and in mauve shades. I currently only have Smiling Jean, a RUDELY healthy shrub with glossy, gorgeous foliage. https://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.60389 It needs a good home where it can be planted in the ground and allowed to do its thing.
Formerly RBEHS Z10A/S17 thanked roseseek
Related Professionals
Gaithersburg Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Twin Falls Landscape Contractors · Georgetown Home Builders · Lake Havasu City Home Builders · Selma Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Little Rock Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Nashua Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Syracuse Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Victorville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Hilton Head Island Landscape Contractors · Fort Worth Landscape Contractors · Anniston Landscape Contractors · Burlington Landscape Contractors · Greenville Home Builders · Fargo Home Builders
Formerly RBEHS Z10A/S17
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you. It's great having some sense of connection to these roses and the individuals who created them. It looks like Gentle Annie has fallen out of commerce.
roseseek
5 years ago
Most of his roses have.
Rosefolly z5
5 years ago
Oh, that is really too bad!
jerijen
5 years ago
It really IS too bad.

I do so miss Sean.
Formerly RBEHS Z10A/S17
Original Author
5 years ago
My attempt to keep his legacy alive just arrived in the mail.
HU-163294622
last year
last modified: last year
Hello, Sean was my grandfather! It's so so lovely to see all these comments about him. It's been 10 years and we still miss him dearly. Can I ask where you purchased this? I'd love to be able to plant some of his roses. I know this was posted a good while ago but thought I'd try my luck!
woodrose77
last year
It looks like Rogue Valley Roses hear in the US is the only retail source for this rose and it's out of stock. Here is a link to it's page on helpmefind.com.

https://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.40839.0&tab=1
fig_insanity Z7b E TN
last year
last modified: last year
@HU-163294622 Here is a link that will take you to a list of all of the roses that your grandfather bred (there are 101 listed). You can click on each one to go to a page where there will be a tab at the top that says "BUY FROM". Click that to see if it is commercially available, and which nurseries carry it. I suspect that Bierkreek will be your most likely source. I hope you can find at least a few to add to your garden. Best of luck!

Roses of Sean McCann
stillanntn6b
12 months ago
Does any other old timer remember who on Gardenweb was actively collecting all of his roses?
jerijen
12 months ago
Hey -- Sean's grandson -- I wonder if he ever told you this . . .

He said, when he had picked out the seedling roses he was going to keep, to grow on, he would load the rest in his car, and take them out into the countryside, and plant them, and leave them . . . so that, one day, people might find them, not knowing where they came from.

Sean always made me smile.