I have always found Rotesmeer, aka Purple Pavement, to have nice blooms. I have never been fond of blooms that look like crumpled tissue paper.

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I think Topaz Jewel is pretty.

Jens Munk has a nice flower, as does Henry Hudson.

Souvenir de Philemon Cochet is a bit of an acquired taste.

I've always thought that the double Hybrid Rugosas looked like strips of colored tissue paper wired together by a 7 year old. The singles on-the-other-hand are stunning. My top favorites are FRU DAGMAR HASTRUP and the species sport ROSA RUGOSA ALBA.

Image of FRU DAGMAR HASTRUP by Juliet11-z7-MD at Hortiplex

I have been meaning to get Frau Dagmar Hastrup for years. I have 4 Rugosa alba that I grew from seed that are now 4 years old and they have really come into their own this year as bloom machines, putting on a really nice show this spring and blooming steadily thereafter. I also have Purple Pavement which I love, and 2 Hansas. The blooms on the Hansa aren't the best-formed but how cares with that color and fragrance?

I really like the look of Topaz Jewel and Jens Munk.

I grow quite a few rugosas and I would like to post photos of some of my favorites. You can't beat the rugosas for reliablity and hardiness here in zone 4....I love them.

Celeste

AMELIE GRAVEREAUX

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CLOSEUP OF ITS BLOOM....LOVE THE STAMENS!

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TOPAZ JEWEL

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ROSERAIE DE L'HAY....MY FAVORITE FOR FRAGRANCE & HEALTH

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ROSE A PARFUM DE L'HAY....ALSO FRAGRANT...(NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH ROSERAIE DE L'HAY)

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SCHNEEZWERG.... PURE WHITE AND PRETTY STAMENS

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MOORE'S STRIPED RUGOSA...PRETTY, BUT NOT MUCH SCENT

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HANSA....

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THERESE BUGNET....LOVELY BLOOM FORM WITH PRETTY FOLIAGE

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Wow, lovely pictures Celeste. I had not heard of Amelie Gravereaux but she's beautiful. I did not know there was a striped rugosa hybrid either, and I love striped roses.

I knew that rugosas were stellar performers in cold climates, but I have been pleasantly surprised by how well they have performed in central NC. When I first planted Rugosa albas 4 years ago I was more than halfway expecting them to melt down in the summer heat but they have not, at least not yet. They've been just fine.

Linda Campbell is a real red hybrid rugosa that does better each year for me at the Jersey shore. Her only drawback is lack of fragrance.

Alicia:

I think you would really like Frau Dag Hastrup. We planted ours last year and its growth has been amazing! And we are not really that nice to it. Planted at the edge of the yard with full sun and plenty of heat. The darling neighbor kids occasionally walk on it and I think I accidentally fertilized this year while I was doing the lawn and it still won't quit.

A workhorse that blooms almost all the time. Some lovely pictures up there folks. I really like Molineux's of Frau Dag but they're all pretty.

Kate

conrad ferdinand meyer

My favorites ar Agnes (not much of a repeat but what a spring flush) and Sarah Van Fleet

Can someone tell me more about Moore's Striped Rugosa? I've been in the market for a red/white striped rose and like the pic of this rugosa. Is the HMF description fairly accurate, or is your own experience different? I guess I'm wondering particularly about size since I don't want a large rose.

Thanks,

Kate

Here is a link that might be useful: Moore's Striped Rugosa at HMF

Kate, the most petite rugosa I know of is a new one from J&P, "Wild Spice"-- a striking white single on a small, round, mannerly shrub. It's 3X3 its first year, and I expect it to go to 4X4 or so. That's very small for a rugosa. J&P may be bringing out other patio-size rugosas as well. I love Moore's striped one too!

barbarag_happy--thank you for the info. Not sure if I have the courage to spade Scentimental yet, but I have been toying with the idea. Wouldn't mind having another rugosa --already have Blanc Double de Coubert. Its the red and white stripes that really interest me, however.

Kate

I would say 'Will Alderman'.It is new for me this year but hasn't been without at least one flower on it all summer. The colour is softer than the standard rugosas and the flower form just about perfect, starting out cup shaped then opening just enough to show the yellow stamens. It is not at all muddled like 'Dart's Dash'.
Leo

Here are some more photos of my Moore's Striped Rugosa. The photo I posted above shows how it blooms in clusters...the following pics will be closeups.

It is only 2 years old so its ultimate size is unknown to me. When I received it, it was the tiniest rooted cutting I'd ever seen. It is still rather compact-growing, wanting to spread out width-wise more so than up. It blooms frequently but sadly there isn't much if any scent. But it sure is colorful!

Celeste

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... and as Celeste's photo shows, Moore's Striped has almost coppery-burgandy new foliage. I have two new ones planted this year - big pretty flowers for little fellers.

Cheers,
Michelle

This is Keith's Delight, I'm growing it as a climber. It's up to the eves of the house now where I don't have it tied down. I need to transplant it, it got hot too fast here late spring to do it then. I discovered where I have it planted only gets 4 hours of sun.
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A favorite of mine is Rugelda. Perfect form, yellow with pink/red edges. And floriferous!

What about the disease resistance of some of these:
Keith's Delight
Rugelda
Topaz Jewel
Conrad Ferdinand Meyer
Amelie Gravereaux
Schneezewerg

Rugelda and Keith's Delight do not look like rugosa hybrids at all, flower-wise. They are beautiful.

Rugelda was immune to blackspot but succumbed to neglect when she was swallowed up by puckerbrush. But a great blossom, someone called it the "Peace rose of the rugosas".
Topaz Jewel was bulletproof - until the snow plow guy made a direct hit with the ice he was scraping off the driveway.

Another one to consider is Polareis - lots of good pics at Helpmefind. Mine is in the middle of its September flush - the third one. The first one in May to early June is spectacular, lasting nearly a month, covering the 8' X 6' shrub with sprays of pink blooms to the point that the foliage is nearly obscured. Last year it had a fourth round in a mild stretch of late fall - still had buds in December! Foliage is exceptionally clean, never any disease. There is moderate fragrance, and while the blooms come in huge one-stem=bouquet sprays, the buds don't all open. I have had luck pruning off the little outside buds to create a more controlled spray of opening and open buds and blooms.
If I could only have one rose, this would be it.

Polareis is very beautiful.

I love your pictures everyone. My Rootesmeer looks just like Harry's.
I'm so happy to see a photo of Topaz Jewel, I have this one as a baby.

Carla