This is an open pollinated seedling from Louise Jolliet. When I first saw texture on the foliage I assumed it was pollen from a Rugosa and didn’t give it much thought. As it has grown, however, I have been wondering if it was perhaps pollen from and old rose instead. It is once blooming, which could be from either.
I figured it would be a mid sized shrub, so I planted it by the walk near the seating area: it decided to keep getting bigger. When it shot a longer cane out of the back of the plant I decided to tie it up towards the pergola just to see what it would do. That season it took off and grew up over the top (even though it started about 5 feet away from the base). I wove several other branches in and they grew up as well.
For comparison that is John Davis (darker pink) off to the left of it, which was planted at the back corner of the seating area.
This plant sets no hips. I’ve been thinking about making a concerted effort with its pollen. So far there has not been any dieback on this plant, even in our hardest winter.
I realize that our cold isn’t near as bad as some of yours, we reached -27 F on that coldest winter. Our coldest temperatures don’t last for long here (fortunately), maybe a week or two. But this is one of the more hardy roses I have, and seems like it could be used to breed a climber.
Does anyone have any thoughts about this one? I am wishing I had more climbers that would work as seed parents, especially in accepting some wider crosses.
Duane
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I’m really not a fan of pink, but I must judge it lovely. If it can increase the hardiness of climbers, it is a valuable thing. VERY much so, for those in climates that get real hard winters. I grew up in one such, and now live on Vancouver Island, where there are palm trees!
(I still have my SORELs though, for the rare occasions it does snow.)
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Duane
Very pretty rose. I like it. Cane hardy climbers in zones 3 or 4 are rare to none existant. The best we have here (Alberta, Canada) is ‘John Davis’ or 'John Cabot '. Looking forward to hearing more about your progress.