Now, to my extreme pleasure, found today a Erskine’s Caroyal a red hybrid rugosa seed parent, with purple tones in the shade, has germinated with a French moss pollen parent.
… the same as germinated with my R. laxa seed parent.
The 1870 French moss Madame de la Roche-Lambert.
Caroyal is as true hardy as l have in the garden. Not had to prune any dead cane in 3-4 years winters and what l slur and call a “Beastie Boy Rose” . But the blooms are absolutely color smashing for my tastes. This is one that grows as a big full bush. Beaten down one year ( aggressively pruned) when it was not growing like l wanted - recovered very well.
Traits l want to see passed on if seedling lives and crossed are a true hardy, strong vigor, double bloom form and color (from moss) and bush form. Not concerned about repeat but some to mossing would be a big bonus and taming of razor wire prickles.
Took a long time relative (required 3 thermal cycles) to the short duration spring germinations of the Caroyal cross with a found Canadian/ European - maybe a Damask named “Grannie’s Rose”.
Darn should have also claimed first Canadian prairie rugosa - maybe damask cross … until proved a false claim. Got to hope l crossed third OGR with a hardy and it germinates - cant think of one - so can claim a triple OGRs hybrid live crown and they grow in my garden.
Think l will stretch it and call it the first Canadian prairie bred rugosa - moss hybrid.
Again all survival and “did it cross” and did l screwup caveats apply for one day old historic germination success …
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