Sheila, thank you! I had no idea this place existed. They have a great collection!

I grew 'The Frau,' some years ago. For every beautiful, well formed bloom it grew, it grew two deformed, disheveled ones. That's how it grows. Its flower petals just do not present themselves beautifully most of the time. You've been warned.

Moses.

Perhaps climate? Nonetheless, you've warned me. Thank you Moses

Look carefully at the photos of 'The Frau,' on HMFR. Can you see what I am seeing?

If you want the fragrance, carefree attributes, and flower beauty found among the H. rugosas, a group of mostly tousle headed flowers, may I direct your attention to these exceptions: Charles Albanel, Schneekoppe (Ger.), aka. Snow Carpet (Pavement), and Henry Hudson. Schneekoppe and Charles Albanel have particularly beautiful blooms most of the time.

Corn Hill Nursery does not ship to the USA, that I am aware of.

Moses.

I looked at HMF, yes I saw what you were mentioning. Thanks for the Rugosa recommendations, I really like this class.

I called Corn Hill this morning and they do ship to the U.S. in the spring though shipping is kind of pricey

Moses, I had one in Alaska and my sister has one in Minnesota and we totally have never seen a more pristine beauty. I'm sorry you had a problem.

Ian,

At one time years ago I was smitten with Hybrid Rugosas. I trialed over 30 varieties, not at once, but over about a 15 year period. With observing their behaviors, and those which were permanent residents at a large, local, ARS accredited rose garden, I came up with what I considered the best of the best, and named them for you so that you could benefit from my experience.

Of them all, Henry Hudson stood shoulders above the rest.

Here is why:

1. Compact restrained bush form, very garden worthy, which trait is lacking in so many of them.

2. Heaviest bloomer of them all, and all season long, so many HRs have a bloom here and there.....too much bush, too few blooms.

3. Most beautifully formed flower, form of bloom is not the HR's strength.

Of course, my evaluations are subjective, open for criticism, but my defense is strong, and based on generally accepted standards.

Hope I have been helpful to you.

Moses.

Moses, what a seemingly amazing plant!

Yes this has definitely been helpful. My Hansa needs a buddy lol. Henry Hudson is now a candidate

Roseraie deL'Hay, Snow Pavement, Agnes, Therese Bugnet, Purple Pavement, Basyes Purple and Souvenir de Philemon Cochet, and Martin Frobisher and Wasagaming are some of my favorites. Fru Dagmar Hastrop is a winner.

I don't recommend Pink Surprise because it is such a monster, although the flowers are beautiful.

Suzy Verrier's book about Rugosas is wonderful. In Alaska these were a mainstay, but they grow beautifully here too.

Rugosas are soo cool.

I think the repeat blooming Multiflora hybrids rival them though

(Aka Polyanthas and climbers like Peggy Martin)

@Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR, I think it was you that dissuaded me from pink surprise. I was smitten by those flowers though!

Looks like Greenmantle has it:

https://www.greenmantlenursery.com/roses2008/roselist2008.htm

Ian,

You might like Souvenir de Philemon Cochet and Wild Edric.

Souvenir did Philemon Crochet is a seedling offspring from the classic H. Rugosa, Blanc Double de Coubert. It's huge 4.5" flower is very double (almost carnation like), and pure white. It grew very nicely for me.

I never grew Wild Edric because it was introduced in 2005, by of all rose breeders, David Austin. I was easing out my Hybrid Rugosas by then. It's a beauty with mostly nicely formed, heavy petaled, big blooms. Wild Edric appears to be a heavy bloomer, too, much like Henry Hudson, but on a much larger bush than HH's relatively small bush, by comparison. I bet it holds its petals a couple days longer than most HRs, which drop their petals very quickly.

Moses.

@foggyroses - I called Greenmantle yesterday. The lady and I had a great talk about roses. She doesn't have FGH in stock but she may next spring.

@Moses - Thank you, both are beautiful plants. I honestly had no idea that David Austin ever messed with the Rugosas. I'm sure I'll end up getting these someday!

The reason Hybrid Rigorous have fallen into disuse are many. Their strong points made them a useful commercial landscaping bush, but with the advent of the "safer," Knock Out roses starting in about 1990, their use declined drastically.

The thorns are deadly serious liabilities.

Too quick petal drop is another negative, as are the gossamer thin petals which are not wet weather resistant at all.

Care in application of any chemicals: liquid fertilizers, insecticides or fungicides to their neighbors or them, at all must be strictly maintained. Their foliage reacts violently to any chemical applied except water. Of course, Hybrid Rugosas are pretty much immune to disease, especially the dreaded black spot. Rose Midge Fly, which devastates just about all other rose classes, never bothered my HRs to speak of. At just one event, late in the season when rose Midge Fly is at its peak, did I see damage on a HR.

Moses.

Angel Gardens in Florida had Fru Dagmar Hastrup available earlier this year. If you're still interested, I'd email them and ask when it will be available again because at least they are propagating it

Thank you, I should email and check in

Ian, Sheila mentioned Suzy Verrier. I HIGHLY recommend her books "Rosa Gallica" and "Rosa Rugusa". They're both available on Amazon. The ONLY problem with them is that Suzy was the only commercial source for many of the roses in her books, and she passed away in 2019. I communicated with her regularly for a couple of years, back in the 2010's. She was a fount of knowledge about cold climate old roses. Get the books if (and while) you can.

Gee...thinking about Suzy makes me miss Lynette, too. Olga, as well, come to think of it. Though Olga wasn't "famous", she grew so many gorgeous gallicas...and had some unorthodox methods I still use to this day. You old timers will know what I mean. We've lost so much knowledge.

At Amazon:

ROSA RUGOSA

ROSA GALLICA

@fig_insanity - Thank you for the book links. Glad you could find them.

I really have needed some rose books and these look amazing.

That's really sad that she passed and that the fact you knew her so well.

Off I go to your new threads for further talks

What a wonderful thread. I'm awed by the knowledge on this forum. Always have been.