Oops - Here are the two pictures I took of it today (which I forgot to post above):

From the driveway:

From inside of the new garden:

Jackie

Such a grand survivor!

Yes it is, and I understand we can thank the Chinese for that - evidently it was cultivated for they don't know how many hundreds of years in china, until the English plant hunter Richard Fortune "discovered" it in a private garden in China. It did not like the English climate, however, but it does like it here in Northern CA zone 9/10!

Jackie

Oops again - I meant Robert Fortune, and he was from Scotland, not England.

Jackie

Gorgeous! And, for the first time in a LONG time, Houzzless allowed me to FOLLOW!

Nice specimen of 'Fortune's Double Yellow'! The first time I ever saw one was in 2000 on a trip to visit Ralph Moore, and we stopped at a motel in Fresno 3/4 of the way there, so we could arrive early the next morning. Just down the street from the motel was a huge plant of 'Fortune's Double Yellow' growing up a utility pole, outside a Veterinary clinic, and I was amazed!

That's when I knew I had to try it in breeding. Eventually, I sent out a request for pollen, and Barbara Oliva sent me some. From that pollen came "Pink Phoenix", which I still grow and love.

Pink Phoenix has set two whole flower buds here, Paul!

Paul - I LOVE the shape of the Pink Phoenix blooms - is that called "high shouldered"? Your pics on HMF show that pale pink, and a very dark pink - does it change over time? How tall is yours now?

I am waiting to see how big my FDY gets - we are having the tree it is under trimmed, and it will get more light this coming summer. I don't like to trim roses, but I might if it decides to get as big as the bush I got it from.

Jackie

Wow! That is one gorgeous old rose, Jackie!! I can see why FDY caused such a commotion back in the day. I also want to add that your new garden area looks amazing! You and DH have gone above and beyond making lemonade from fire prevention lemons. You must be so pleased with the results! Carol

@jacqueline9CA My original specimen of "Pink Phoenix" is about 7 feet tall, and struggling, because its in a battle for space and light with 'Golden Century' - and it is pretty clear that 'Golden Century' is winning.

However, last year I planted a new start of "Pink Phoenix" in another greenhouse where its got loads of space, and its grown from a 7" tall sprig last April, to a cluster of 8 or 9 seven foot long canes now. This thing has vigor!

Golden Century needs spreading around all over. It is a MAGNIFICENT landscape plant in SoCal! Like a more mannerly, every-blooming Banksiae.

Paul - I laughed when I read your comment that Pink Phoenix "has vigor!". Perhaps its parent FDY does not get huge in your climate, but in a warm climate (like mine) the unpruned clone from which I got the cutting that grew into my plant of FDY was very vigorous indeed! Here is a photo I took of it in full bloom. This is why I am slightly nervous about how big it is going to get in my garden.

If you leave your plant of Pink Phoenix in a warm greenhouse for 2-4 years, you might find out exactly how big it can get - who knows how big that would be? At least then you could take that potential into consideration in your future breeding with it. Just a thought...

Jackie

Here is the FDY in our local tiny sort of "parklet" next to a bike path. It gets NO CARE whatever - that is all one plant, and as I recall it had traveled further to the right than would fit into this photo. It also went all the way to the top of the tree on the far left. The fat looking tree in the center right is over 20 feet tall.

portlandmysteryrose - Thank you for your kind comments. The new garden was all my DH's idea (and he did all the work), because I think he knew his life would be much better if he did not have to live with someone who was grieving and depressed about having to remove several old & beloved roses. It worked - now I am going to move those to my new garden - and more!

Jackie

Your DH is a talented and wise treasure! When the rose gardener is unhappy, nobody is happy.

You inspire me! I look forward to updates as you continue planting your new beds.

Carol

The world needs more roses like 'Fortune's Double Yellow'. I mean huge, and rampaging about all over. I love those peach-and-strawberry-ice-cream-colored roses.

Good news about the huge old FDY pictured above - there was a plan to clear cut that little parklet where it lives, including every single tree, and of course the rose. That was being suggested by a regional group of some sort which wanted to re-do the entire area. This was discussed ad nauseam for about 5 years. Luckily, when the residents of the actual small town whose land this was got to vote on it, they voted against it, and the little park and the rose was saved.

Jackie