I have it in its second year. The flowers are beautiful and there are usually some on the plant at all times but there is something about the plant that it is just not showy. The plant itself is not pretty, kind of leggy. It does have a pretty good fragrance. I am keeping it just for hybridizing to try to get that color on a better plant. If I would want it just for a garden plant I would probably find something else unless I would just want something unusual.

Patrick

I had 2, they just got smaller and died in a hurry. They don't seem to be very vigorous at all, unlike my other rugosas. But it might have just been their locations.

Patrick, do you have any pictures? I'm doing a two rose deal and thinking of Blanc Double de Coubert for the other one, to accompany Incantation, which has been on a wait list. I like the look of Basye's blooms though.

Thanks Len and Patrick

Carla

I do not have any pictures right now. It does seem to be doing better its second year and looks better. I have it in my no spray bed and is pretty clean. I pruned it back hard this Spring and I think it helped it.

Patrick

Carla, I have 3 Basye's Blueberry if you are interested.

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I also have an older picture of all three.
This year I noticed some markings on the trunks of the roses, and ended up writing Mark Chamblee to find out what they were. He said a bacterial infection, so I cut them all way back to about 2 feet from the ground.

These canes look ok, but as they grow, they do look like rugosas, but I don't think they are.

There were hybridized by Basye who I consider the "genius" between Buck and Dr. Stephen George.

I have been told that Basye's Blueberry is prettier than Basye's Purple, but I only have these. When they are larger they bloom most of the time. They just are not a cutting flower. I love them --- that is why I have three. Before I cut them they were over 6 feet tall.

Sammy

Mine was in great shape when I bought it as a band, there were even blooms on it. I planted it, it grew a little and then just slowly deteriorated into pitiful little sticks. I finally euthanized it (i.e. threw it onto the compost pile).

Ingrid

I think Basye's Purple has a great color and a good fragrance... although I think the bush is better suited for a "wild life habitat" on the border of the yard than close to the patio... it's definately got the typical rugosa thorns (and foliage). The only downside I remember is that Rugosa's tended to be spider mite magnets in Tyler.. (I haven't grown any here) I liked Basye's Blueberry better. It's completely thornless, has a good fragrance... I don't have one here, but my nose is reminiscing something sweet like mimosa's or something... good repeat bloom,hips.... I know, I love roses with hips...it adds some interest during the winter. (my aunt thinks I'm weird because I like woody plant structures without leaves on them... LOL)

Carla, I bought Basye's Purple from Sherando last month before he closed. I instantly gravitated toward its reddish wood, bluish foliage, and beautiful purple flowers. (I was on a species rose kick at the time, and this one looks like it would fit right in.)

I'm not sure it's a good garden rose (using Paul Z.'s definition), however. Mine is still in its pot -- I can let you know later, after I get it planted, if my initial assessment is right. At any rate, I'll be sure to photograph any flowers for you when I get some more.

Connie

An impulse purchase which I regret, as my space is so limited. So far Basye's Purple is an interesting oddity--very slow grower & I agree an awkward growth habit. No repeat the first season, but mine's in afternoon shade and may want more sun (guess I treated it like a rugosa). The blooms glorious but few-- where I put it I can't get in easily to smell it but it does have some fragrance but won't beat Wild Spice or Roserie de l'Hay.. I've read once established it suckers like mad; I'll remove it before that has a chance to happen. Will offer it to Virginia Zoo for their no-spray garden; I think it would be perfectly clean in full sun.

Thank you Sammy. It is a lovely picture of Blueberry.
Ingrid, I'm sorry yours declined to grow.
Connie, the pictures do make it look beautiful but maybe I should wait. Thanks for responding. Hope you're fine.
Nay Nay Nay, you came out of the woodwork girl. Thank you for the fine description of Basye's Purple and note on Blueberry. Miss you!
Barbara, Actually I might go with Blanc Double de Coubert. I've always wanted it and need another white. Still lusting after BP though. Thank you.

Carla

here it is.

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Patrick

Patrick, thank you for the pictures. Would you say it is more pink than purple? Have you looked at the pictures on HMF, some of them are really pretty and purple.

Carla

a photo expert I am not. They are more purple than pink, definately.

Patrick

Hi Carla,
Mine is in its 2nd year here and doesn't repeat well for me. It does, however, make lots of hips that turn purple in the fall. The plant habit is fairly disorderly and I regret where I planted it because it can get scraggly. The blooms are gorgeous, though. Mine are a deep, dark, velvety purple which my cheapo camera does not capture adequately. I find that the blooms do not last long and on a real hot day are gone in a flash. I like this rose for its dark purple color but will probably move it to somewhere not so prominent next year.

Celeste

The color is deeper purple than this photo displays.....(there is NO RED or pink, just deep purple).

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Blanc Double de Coubert is a lovely thing unless it rains, as I recall some garden writer said the blooms look like wet tissue paper after a rain! You might check out Therese Bugnet-- many rugosas struggle in the heat of the south but Therese seems to garner lots of favorable mentions even from southerners. And... you guessed it... I SO wish I'd planted Therese Bugnet instead of Basye's Purple.

I've seen a a well-established Basye's Purple growing in a local garden. The blooms are really special & unique, truly purple. The plant habit on that one didn't look very bushy. However, I think Patrick's specimen looks great. You apparently already know that the plant is Medieval weapon ultra-thorny.

By the way, like Sammy & Nay, I love my Basye's Blueberry, although it's not the purple for which you are looking.

Randy

barbara_g, I so agree with you about Therese Bugnet. It's been hot and dry forever, but Therese is reblooming quite a bit, and this is its first year of blooming. So many people say it doesn't rebloom well or much at all, but mine is being very good. The leaves look great in the heat and it's putting out quite a bit of new growth. I'm really glad I have it.

Ingrid

Barbara, I grow Therese and I'm quite happy with it. Maybe I'll go for Rugosa Alba. I love my Rugosa Rubra but the blooms do shatter quickly. Do you grow any other Rugosas you can recommend? I really love mosses and rugosas a lot.
Celeste, thank you for your descriptions and picture.
Randy, I've seen pictures of your Blueberry and it's lovely and I know you like it. Maybe that's the way I should go. Don't know yet.
Thanks Ingrid.
Carla

If you have room for Rugosa alba, go for it! If you'd like a tidy rounded shrub like alba but a smaller plant, try "Wild Spice"-- this is a hybrid rugosa that deserves to be better known. Back in Ohio I grew Roserie de l'Hay. Would love to grow it again; beautiful blooms all over the plant from top to bottom, luscious color, and (as I think Imentioned elsewhere today) a nice rounded bushy habit.