It’s my first year growing the Canadian ‘Never Alone’ rose.
I have to say I’m quite impressed how it performs in the landscape. Although the bicolour flowers are relatively small (5 cm diameter), they have good form and last a long time, the red turning to a smoky red that isn’t unattractive. The shrub is very attractive because of the contrast of the flowers and the dark green foliage.
This rose likely would do very well when planted in containers, since it’s quite compact.
Ironically, this rose may never have been introduced except it was released as a fundraiser for the Never Alone Foundation.
Appears to lack the cold hardiness of the Parkland and Explorer Rosa kordesii cultivars, but considering it’s parentage (‘Scarlet Meidiland’ x ‘Frontenac’) x ‘Yellow Submarine’ that would be understood. In one Zone 2 climate (Saskatchewan) last winter, it killed out, whereas ‘Campfire’, for example, growing in the same location was crown hardy.
Sets op hips very well, so it is likely quite fertile as a pistillate parent. I’ve made several crosses with it, including using ‘Campfire’.
I trust the Vineland Research Station will be introducing more roses like ‘Never Alone’, since this is the type of rose needed much more for today’s landscapes in urban areas.