Sounds more likely that the little rose is what's left of the original scion, and "The Hulk" is 'Dr. Huey." Have you seen "The Hulk" bloom?

Jeri

Yeah, it's pink (semi-double, if I recall). Blooming fairly well right now.

We really need a picture, preferably of both of these roses.

To answer your question - yes, all kinds of roses have been used as rootstock over the years, some are gorgeous (like de la Grifferaie - pic attached). Just because a rose has been used as rootstock has nothing to do with whether it is "common", or "nondescript" (not all rootstock is Dr. Huey). It just means that, at some point, nurseries decided that certain weaker roses would do better on the roots of this other rose, or would be cheaper to propagate, etc.. Or, in the case of Florida, it was the case that there were conditions where roses would do better on the roots of this different rose.

Looking forward to seeing pictures - then someone on here might be able to identify one or both of them for you.

Jackie

Okay. Doing this all (tediously) on my phone. Hopefully these go through.
The rose in question:
http://s1362.photobucket.com/albums/r694/Amelie3913/?action=viewät=null_zpsad072219.jpg&evt=user_media_share

http://s1362.photobucket.com/albums/r694/Amelie3913/?action=viewät=null_zpsa847d661.jpg&evt=user_media_share

The Hulk:
http://s1362.photobucket.com/albums/r694/Amelie3913/?action=viewät=null_zps7eec58f3.jpg&evt=user_media_share

http://s1362.photobucket.com/albums/r694/Amelie3913/?action=viewät=null_zpsc3d03038.jpg&evt=user_media_share
http://s1362.photobucket.com/albums/r694/Amelie3913/?action=viewät=null_zps916f8a75.jpg&evt=user_media_share

The bases:
http://s1362.photobucket.com/albums/r694/Amelie3913/?action=viewät=null_zps81461da1.jpg&evt=user_media_share
http://s1362.photobucket.com/albums/r694/Amelie3913/?action=viewät=null_zps80a8ebdc.jpg&evt=user_media_share
...the paler leaves are the white rose. It's to the left in a smaller clump than the hulk.

Okay. Don't think that worked. I'll try again when I get back to my laptop.

Thanks Jackie. Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that all rootstock is without merit or virtue in the garden. But, rather, if it were something akin to the much derided Dr. Huey, I'd pass. Having said that, if I like it, I'm inclined to give it a try regardless. Baring any gross disease or ungangly growth tendencies.

If the "Hulk" is a pink semi double repeat bloomer it's not Dr. Huey. He's a single dark red once bloomer. An other common root stock is R. Multiflora which is a white single once bloomer. Fortuniana is a white double root stock but it's highly unlikely to be growing in your zone as it's cold tender.

It is the white rose you are wondering about correct?

(copy and paste to get to the photos)

Okay, back to a "real" computer, lol.

The white rose in question: (no fragrance..but that might be the weather, too)
{{gwi:302389}}{{gwi:302391}}

The Hulk:{{gwi:302392}}{{gwi:302393}}

Close up of Hulk
{{gwi:302394}}

Base of both plants (white is left and slightly in front to Hulk, white is also light green leaves){{gwi:302395}}{{gwi:302396}}{{gwi:302397}}

Kippy, yes it's the white rose.

Jackie, your pic is beautiful! That is not my mental image of a rootstock, lol!

seil, thanks for the info. I know next to nothing about rootstock.

The branches at the base of the pink rose are almost 2" wide, and the white is much daintier. Not sure if it can be seen, but the base of the white rose doesn't seem to have any/many thicker/older basal shoots.

Sorry the pics of the white rose are blurry. I had the HDR setting on my iphone on, and apparently I wasn't the steadiest hand today.

The white rose is flaming chlorotic, which says hybrid musk very loudly to me. Unhealthy roses aren't as easy to root as thriving ones, so it may have issues.

The pink one reminds me of Carefree Delight, though I didn't think that one got that big.

I wouldn't worry about the original spacing. There are a lot of people who think all roses are HTs, and all roses should be planted on 18-24 inch centers. Let them loose on good shrub roses, and watch the hilarity that ensues.

mad gallica, that's a good point, about rooting/thriving. Hmm... And you're right about the spacing. Most ppl around plant largely HT, so I imagine the thought that all roses grow like that wouldn't be a stretch. The yard, though rather tiny, even for a row home, also has what look to be HT on the other side. So, HT spacing mental is highly likely.

I don't recognize either rose, but that white one is gorgeous! Since it is blooming now, perhaps it is not a once bloomer.

If I were you I would try and root that white rose ASAP. There are different methods - you might try more than one. It is so lovely I hope that someone on here recognizes it.

Who knows which came first or how they were planted - after a while, roses do what they want to do.

Jackie

Is the pink rose always single? Because, if it had another row of petals, I'd say it was Manetii -- which was once widely used as rootstock. Manetii's a real survivor. It's also a once-bloomer, tho, so I suppose this CAN'T be Manetii.

Jeri

Jeri, it was reeeeeeeaaaalllly high up there (the white rose was about chest height. But as far as I could tell, all the pink roses looked single.

Thinking it over, I'm inclined to think that what you have here is a rambler. I don't think of them much, because in general, they're not great here. But you are in a different climate.

There aren't a whole bunch of Ramblers whose blooms are pink and single. One possibility though is 'Apple Blossom,' a hybrid multiflora rambler, int. 1932, by Burbank.

I think it was a really really popular rose in its day, and there are some still around. It seems probable that your white rose was planted in front of "The Hulk" where it could bloom when the big guy was not.

Jeri

This post was edited by jerijen on Sun, Aug 4, 13 at 16:39