Is this a classic?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Hi all -- I know very little about roses, but noticed these pics today and thought someone might recognize it. This rose was barely growing at my BF's house when it was purchased in 1985. It's in a horrible spot and we've tried twice over the years to dig and ax it out of the ground, but it just won't budge and it just won't die. It can be pretty though, so we finally gave up trying to remove it. It grows very quickly in spring, sending out upright strong canes that can be at least 8' long. It blooms heaviest in June in z5 NY. Here are two photos I have from different years. I don't think it has any great scent. To care for it, I just prune away any dead parts each spring, and sometimes shorten the canes or cut it completely back. Is this considered a climber? Does it look familiar? These are the only photos I have on my phone.

Featured Answer

Diane Brakefield

3 years ago

I like Dr Huey very much as a rootstock and have never had it take over the rose grafted onto it. I do bury the graft union, and I think this helps keep Huey under control. Dr Huey is not all bad, and I think it's quite pretty. Diane

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Comments (12)

Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
3 years ago
Dr. Huey. Rootstock that survived.
party_music50 thanked Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
party_music50
Original Author
3 years ago
omg, I can't believe how quickly you identified it! Thank you so much, Sheila!
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User
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Yeah, thats Dr. Huey. I guess you could call it a ”classic” of sorts, given its history as a rootstock.
party_music50
Original Author
3 years ago
By ’classic’ I meant ubiquitous in its time, and very likely to be in some old garden. .
Embothrium
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Continues to be used as rootstock by commercial producers supplying the general market. And not therefore an indicator of old planting sites alone. With examples of it that have partially or completely replaced the varieties grafted onto them being common where it is winter hardy.

'Dr. Huey' Rose (helpmefind.com)
party_music50
Original Author
3 years ago
That source says that Dr Huey is almost thornless, but this rose definitely has big hard sharp thorns. What does that mean?
Embothrium
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
What does that mean?

Almost in this context refers to quantity. As can be seen in your pictures there are significant lengths of stem that are not very thorny. As is characteristic of this variety. Whereas many other kinds can be almost packed with prickles or thorns.
party_music50 thanked Embothrium
User
3 years ago
@party_music50 'Dr Huey' has been ubiquitous in every time period since its introduction 100+ years ago. It can be found in every town and city in America, where the scion budded to it has long since died and the Dr. has taken over. Here in the Willamette Valley, it is by far the most common rose found.

It is considered to be a bit of a noxious weed by many gardeners who want it gone, but find it difficult to dispatch.
User
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
@Diane Brakefield The problem with Dr. Huey in my region is that its extremely Blackspot prone, so 95% of the many plants I see around town are nearly leafless by the time they are at peak bloom. Its not a great look.

Obviously, all the hundreds of plants of Huey in town came to be when the scion died - its a very common process. Not everyone plants their roses correctly!
BenT (NorCal 9B Sunset 14)
3 years ago
I think Dr Huey is attractive too, but as a once blooming climber, it might not be OK if your floribunda in the front of the border morphed into a big sprawling crimson monster. Here in California, Dr Huey is the only variety that blackspots for me. I view this as a plus, you need only follow the spots to prune out the suckers!
Embothrium
3 years ago
'Dr. Huey' may also rather often display a leaf mosaic pattern.