I would grow it if I could find it.

It was being sold in bodybags either last year or the year before. I planted one, which is now big and beautiful. I think North Creek Farm, that is Suzanne Verrier's farm and nursery, offers it some years.

I wonder if anyone is breeding with R. blanda at the present time.

North Creek Farm does have it this year, along with an excellent selection of other cold hardy roses.

It is a pleasure to browse through the North Creek website.

Here is a link that might be useful: Climbing roses at North Creek

Lovely rose----You sure have some beauties-
Florence

This rose appeals to me so much in every way; it's simply lovely. I notice it has one long bloom period. In my climate that would probably mean 2-3 weeks, but if I lived in a colder zone this rose would be in my garden.

Ingrid

I am sitting here today at my old house (now my son's) while I'm critter-sitting for the weekend - and I just happen to be looking at two Lillian Gibsons that I bought from Suzy Verrier a couple of years ago. They are so big and so happy now - and I'm wondering just how I am going to be able to dig and move them!! I hate the thought of cutting them back just when they have attained a good size. Well, in any case they will be spared this torture until after they're done blooming. Right now they are gorgeous - and you're right, so hardy for cold zone gardens! Good photos!

Annececelia, why don't you root some new ones? They should reach a decent size over the summer--or they would here, anyway. That would be easier on your body than digging up and replanting two huge ones.

I went to Suzys farm last year (honestly, its a pretty overgrown mess for the most part, but if you ramble around, you will see some lovely things in bloom) I went to get Lillian Gibson and Agnes, she had neither, nor did she have the other couple I thought about.. I got convinced to take home a Lucy Irene and a ghislaine de feligonde after she stated it was a lot hardier then I thought it was, she said its never going to be huge here, and may have some tip damage , but shes never had it not bloom for her.

So far so good.. it came through the winter with zero tip damage and is blooming now, fairly small still..

I might try to go back this year and see what she has still. I wouldn't say its a destination spot per say, but its still fun and honestly there isn't another place I can go to get roses locally, the nurseries around here sell nothing but non hardy moderns.

Silverkelt

Did she say Ghislaine de Feligonde would not get big in our zone? Because mine is absolutely huge, it's getting to be a monster. A monster I love though.

I was at North Creek yesterday! Definitely a worthwhile adventure, a wonderful lunch, but Lillian Gibson (and most of her friends) are long gone. It is, after all, pretty late in the season for rose hunting in New England. Mostly all that's left are rugosas, and a good many of those have lost their labels. I came home with Alain Blanchard (I thinkâ¦)

Ooh, You will love Alain Blanchard and those speckled petals! Good choice.
Floridarose, I have to dig them out because my son does not want them. He is going to have to help me do it, I've decided. :-)