‘Hippolyte’: With pruning, surely I can keep this Gallica 4’ tall?

4 years ago

Hi, all! I have a question for those of you who have grown the lovely, old purple Gallica ‘Hippolyte’ for an extended time. I’d like to keep this rose at around 4‘ feet tall, even after 15 years down the road. Surely, I can annually prune my own-root baby from Burlington Roses so that it never outgrows its spot, yes? Or will ‘Hippolyte’ eventually, after a decade or more, insist on becoming the rambler-esque creature that‘s implied by its found rose label: “Mylor Carver Cottage Mauve Rambler”. HMF says ‘Hippolyte‘ grows up to 6.5….which is 2.5’ taller than I want it to be. And I know it’s got some non Gallica ancestry that may influence both its habit and height. Thank you so much for sharing your your feedback and experience! I’m shoehorning in a few OGRs for the long haul. Carol

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Comments (3)

Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
4 years ago
My Hippolyte is so much more modest in stature, Carol, I might need to give mine more goodies. I'm no help. I would just leave it be to grow however large it wanted. Of course, some people will think my garden looks like hell. I think I'm in the "love the one you're with" club and let the roses be themselves.

I'm sure your design skills are much better than mine.
portlandmysteryrose thanked Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
Melissa Northern Italy zone 8
4 years ago
I have nothing to offer but moral support. Give your plan a try and see what happens; I think it might well work.

Enjoy your new rose!
portlandmysteryrose thanked Melissa Northern Italy zone 8
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portlandmysteryrose
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you, @Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR and @Melissa Northern Italy zone 8! Wise words and moral support are always welcome.

I have a semi shady spot next to Gallicas and Mosses in my parking strip bed, and I’d like to tuck in a thornless, purple Gallica, too, but I don’t want the situation to be too obnoxious when drivers park next to my roses. Plus I want to maintain some roadway visibility when my neighbor or I back out of our driveways. My garden is in a very crowded inner city area! I suppose that once Hippolyte grows up, I can just whack it and see what happens. Maybe the nearby tree roots will slow it down or it will grow modestly like yours, Sheila. Carol