While looking for hardy species roses I found a website for an alpine nursery, it listed a climbing rose called
Jinks, I’m guessing they’re talking about R. Maximowicziana.
Peter
I have a R. maximowicziana and can vouch that my plant is cane hardy in zone 4. I let it sprawl and it is about 2.5 feet tall, but hugs the ground after that and has canes >8’ long. It’s in a shady spot by my parents and would probably do better with more care. This one is a single creamy white and is very bristly.
David
I tried to obtain this species from Forest Farm a couple of years ago, but the plant looks too much like R. wichurana. The owner of that nursery was adamant he had the right species ID on it - I really don’t think so. I might have to order some seeds to find out for sure!
Stefan
I can try to root some cuttings this summer for those intersted. The description of R. maximowicziana in Modern Roses matches this plant well. This particular seedling came from Russia. In the early 1990’s a Russian Scientist in Siberia sent some rose seeds from a botanical garden there to Dr. Peter Ascher at the U of MN. Dr. Ascher was surprised to get them and they were an unexpected thank you for something unrose-related. Anyway, he germinated the seeds and had them potted in 4" pots. Peter brought them home to his home in Eastern WI and set the flat next to his barn. He forgot about them and almost ten years later some were still alive with their root systems growing through the bottom of the pots and flat. Peter dug the whole flat with tangled roots and gave it to me. Out of it all I shared some plants with others and saved one R. maximowicziana for myself and there was also a rose named something like R. pycracantha, a name I haven’t come across elsewhere. Perhaps this R. maximowicziana is hardier than others because of its parents surviving in Siberia and the neglect it experienced for several years in zone 4. Next summer when I have some cuttings rooted I’ll make an offer.
Sincerely,
David
I just received my seeds from this company. I placed my order for 5 different rose species from Siberia on Jan 6. The seeds were mailed out on Jan. 20 and arrived today Feb 7. The seeds, Rosa acicularis, amblyotis, davurica, mazimoviczii, and rugosa cost 22$ US. There was about 50 seeds in each packet, plus a bonus packet with seeds labeled “gift Rosa sp. from China”.
So far, so good! The seeds looked really fresh. The proof will be in the germination and the appearance of the seedlings matching the descriptions of the species.
Mark Disero, Brantford Ontario, Canada
I tried mail order seeds from Chiltern last winter. I had pretty good results. Of the seeds you listed, I had r. davurica. I had a ton of germinations but lost a good number of them at first. The germinations stopped and I put them back into the fridge. I had another rash of germinations. I think I have about 10 healthy seedlings right now. I think it will be a strong suckering rose.
The results are in.
I cold treated the seeds, planted in 6" pots, in an unheated shed, Canadian zone 5, for the rest of the winter. Seeds have been germinating outdoors, in their pots, all through may and june.
The good news: I think I have 100% germination for Rosa mazimowicziana. They came up early and very strong.
The bad news: Only 3 seedlings came up from R. rugosa. None of the other rose species germinated.
My conclusions: Since I have always had great success with germinating R. rugosa and R. acicularis, I think the seeds from Magadan must not have been fresh. I will save the pots and give them another cold period and try again next spring. I know some rose seeds need two cold treatments to germinate. I am not very hopeful though.
Was it worth it? I think it was. I really only wanted Rosa maximowicziana, and they have really pleased me. The few R. rugosa seedlings may have some qualities that could be useful in breeding one day. Dr. Felicitas Svejda once had R. rugosa from a Japanese source that were completely resistant to aphids and mites. Time will tell.
Did anyone else order? How did you do?
Mark
Hi Mark.
I did order the Rosa maximoviczii seeds along with R. davurica.
Haven
Hello all,
There’s a gentleman here in Saskatoon that has this rose growing up his garage. It must be at least 8 or 9 feet tall, only 2 feet wide and hardy to zone 2/3. I don’t know where he bought the seed from, but it sure is hardy and interesting!
Koren,
Saskatoon, Canada
Both rosa acicularis and rosa amblyotis from Siberia are now germinating after a second season of stratification. I think it will be a regular routine to save all ungerminated seed for another try.
Mark