That is an absolutely exquisite rose. She's found a worthy home in your garden.

Your last sentence filled me with such helpless anger. So little beauty left in the world, and so many who are willing to destroy it, along with our history and heritage. All we can do is have the beauty of old roses around us and hope that it's an inspiration to others to do the same.

Ingrid

Your last sentence filled me with such helpless anger. So little beauty left in the world, and so many who are willing to destroy it

*** Well, I can tell you, I felt similarly upset when I found that family plot, all neatly cemented-in.
I hope the family who did it dug up the two roses there and took them home, at least.
A few days ago, I was in my own family cemetery in Texas, hearing a very elderly distant cousin point out that he had
cemented in HIS family's plot.
Well, the ground was collapsing, and there were no plants in the plot, so there's a difference.
And he is as concerned as I am about saving the old China that grows in the cemetery.

But it IS an excellent object lesson in how quickly an Old Rose can disappear.

Jeri

I have this one growing in my front bed. I love the scent...the blooms are just so pretty. And it does amazingly well for me here in North Florida! Gets some BS but not much which is amazing for a HP in the humid South.
The bush is a beautiful, full V shape. I like it a lot.

Deb

Jeri, it's a beautiful photo of a superb rose, thanks for sharing.

La Reine has been a winner in my garden, I love the blooms.

Isn't Barbara's Pasture Rose supposed to be La Reine? If I recall correctly, you enabled me into BPR. The blooms certainly look the same. I finally got her in the ground this summer and she's really taken off. Bloomed her head off. I'm quite impressed with her and think she will become a favorite.

So sorry about the lose of the cemetary La Reine. So many cemetaries these days won't allow you to plant anything at the grave. My mother is buried in one that doesn't allow anything that sticks up above the grass. They want to be able to mow over everything. So sad.

Lindy, they look exactly alike in bloom and foliage, but I have never seen a La Reine with that sort of size. I have a tantalizing memory of having read a description of a rose -- a seedling of L.R., which was described as being just like it, but much, much bigger.
If only I could find that description again!

I have La Reine and BPR planted about 4 ft. apart, and their habit is undeniably different. I just do not know.

Jeri

It's a wonderful rose Jeri. I'm so thankful for all the rose rustlers that have saved beauties like this.

I've also heard speculation that BPR is "THE" La Reine, and that the other ones in commerce are either degraded clones or seedlings. Since Jeri and I just read a description of Laffay's La Reine when it was first introduced, comparing its growth habit to Quatre Saissons (Autumn Damask), it makes you wonder what happened to its vigor in the intervening 160 years.
Anita

Yes, given that description, I think it's possible that BPR is a more important discovery than we realized.

Of course, we have some fairly old short La Reine's.
Maybe the thing sported early on?
Anyhow, who would not prefer a La Reine that grew 6 ft tall and as much or more around?

It sure makes me wish we could get DNA testing of these roses.

Jeri

My experience with HP's is limited, but I think La Reine may become my favourite HP. I planted mine in a place it didn't like and had to move it this spring when it appeared to be dying; it's still in its three gallon pot, where it has recovered well and bloomed several times. The most recent bloom is fading now--it was the best and biggest this fine rose has ever produced for me, but it gave me a good idea of what I might expect from La Reine in future. I decided I had to have two of these plants and put a cutting down last week; I intend to put down another from this last bloom this week.

Lindsey

Well done, Jeri! And thank you for the beautiful picture. :o)
I have a little plant of a rose, found in a friend's garden, wich I think it's 'La Reine'. This rose is one of the very few HP that are happy to grow and flower in my garden. It was a dried woody stem when I've received, and then planted in a pot two years ago, not hoping to save her.
She's in flower now, just to remember that beauty and "resurrection" can be in our lifes every day.

Maurizio

{{gwi:322727}}

Jeri,

I fell in love with BPR at the Sac Sale. I kept going back to it but never bought it. I have not been able to get over missing this one!
Will it be offered again at the Heritage Rose sale in Sacramento?
Were did you rustle this little gem?

Thanks,

Daun

Those are beautiful pictures. If it does well where most hp's don't that's a strong recommendation. I must try it but am curious where BPR can be found as well. La Reine is a different rose than La Reine Victoria isn't it?
Linda

Hi, Daun -
We've been propagating BPR like mad for the cemetery open garden sale, and hope to have plenty. We don't yet know how many cuttings will strike.

The cemetery Open House will on Apr 12 next year, starting at 9:30.
Anita

Daun et al -- "Barbara's Pasture Rose" was found by Barbara Oliva, of the Sacramento City Cemetery garden.
It was found in (surprise!) a pasture -- near an old Gold Rush era Northern California town. The town was more or less founded in 1849 (tho the Maidu Indians and the Spanish) had preceded that settlement).
In theory, at least, the rose could have been planted at any time subsequent to 1849 -- but guessing dates is tricksy.

Here is the plant, in the spring, in the cemetery:
{{gwi:322729}}
It is considerably bigger by Fall. :-)

The link below gives you a comparison of BPR blooms and La Reine blooms. I'd make the BPR blooms comparable in size to a really big Paul Neyron.

Jeri

Here is a link that might be useful:

Thanks so much both of you! I hope the cuttings root and I am able to see you both in April.

I was trying very hard to focus and just get the rose I had on my list. White pearl in red dragons mouth, BPR was what I was drawn to. Kicking myself for not picking up one.
So much for practicing restraint.

Thanks again,

Daun

I got my BPR at B&B Nursery in CA. I'll include the link.

Here is a link that might be useful: B&B Nursery