Mine is also covered with thorns and I wasn't aware it was considered thornless. That would be unusual for a rugosa hybrid, I would think. Strangely enough, it has done very well in my hot climate.

Ingrid

In my experience with TB, the youngest growth is NEARLY thornless. The typical rugosa thorns start near the bottom of the canes about 2/3 of the way down. The new canes are also a beautiful red color. She is wonderful for winter interest as her red canes glow in the winter sunlight.

Barbara

I'm laughing, Barbara, cuz I was just going to write that the new canes are thorny and then it all levels out to a mildly thorny rose. YMMV, as Jeri says. It sure is a beauty of a rose all year long.

Whether you plant straight into the garden or not depends on how well-developed the root system is. I wish I could make it simpler, but it's true. If RU grew those roses for a year before you received them, they'll be fine and I'd put them right in the ground while it's cooler. If they've just recently grown up and been shipped early, it could be tough for them to survive and you might want to harden them off for awhile. Whatever you decide to do, they'll both be beautiful roses. Share pictures later!

As Barbara says, the youngest growth is thornless, but the older growth has many small thorns. This is one of my favorite roses for overall performance. Not only does it have beautiful flowers, but in winter it is still worthy of a place in the garden for its lithe red canes.

Thanks!
I have put the RU pots in slightly bigger pots and have them sitting in the yard where I plan to plant them, sometime next week.
I don't know how long they have been growing, but the TB is almost 2 ft tall and the canes are not red, so maybe it has been growing a while (hopefully). The MHB is around 18 inches tall. I am really excited about them. :)

thorns or not, how would one not love it ? An excellent rose.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:248407}}

As the others have said, yes she is thorny but I forgive her because not only is she beautiful, she is also one of the earliest bloomers for me here - Enjoy! :-)

I've had them for 12 years. New growth was nearly thorn-free, the bushes that I set out away from the house died their first night out, devoured by Large Rats With Cloven Hooves (aka Eastern Whitetail.) Bought new bushes, planted them in heavy clay on NW side of house in partial shade (!) where they have thrived and multiplied with absolutely NO care of any kind! Thorns are huge.