Petalz, 'Fortuniana' normally does not make seeds, and even if it did, they'd likely not grow true-to-type, since it is not a true species. It also resents being bare-rooted and normally dies afterward. I know that we sent virus-free 'Fortuniana' to members of the Honolulu Rose Society, a decade or more ago. Do you know any of those folks? They may be able to supply cuttings within the state. Back to 'Marechal Niel' -- It has been suggested that much of it has a virus (likely NOT rose mosaic) which makes it difficult to grow. As far as I know, no one has ever proven that. But in any case, it does seem that some selections do better than others. We got ours from the plant Greg Grant and others found in Texas -- a very vigorous and carefree form. We then heat-treated it just in case. On 'Fortuniana', it is the most vigorous rose I've ever grown. We've distributed many of those plants, mainly at HRF meetings (Lakeland in 1991, Lakeland 2001, and El Cerrito 2002). ARE also has this form of the plant. So they're out there. Vintage also seems to have quite a good form of MN, but from a different (California) source.

We looked at that rose yesterday and think the tree is probably "only" 50-60 feet high,and the rose is going up 40 feet or a bit more. There's still room at the top for the rose to climb, and we believe that it will reach the top, and cascade down once it has no more place to grow. Ann, I think you are right about the microclimate. The cemetery was originally a sand hill, created from the Sacramento river. Its high ground, in a city second only to New Orleans in risk of flooding, is why the cemetery was established there in 1850. Up at the top of the hill, where the banksiae is planted, is the sandiest soil of all. The curator has always suspected that the water table is pretty high. When we have removed roses, we are sometimes astonished at how big and deep the roses grow. I told some of the sheriff's crew to remove an Alberic Barbier, and went to lunch. When I checked on them, they were standing chest-high in the hole, still digging! It is a cemetery, for heaven's sake - we don't want to dig TOO deep! - so I had them stop, even though there were still substantial roots to be seen. Many of our roses grow bigger in the cemetery than elsewhere. We don't prune hard, we rarely feed, and we do usually provide regular, weekly water. But it must be something about the microclimate/microsoil. A funny thing about that banksiae - it's only been there a dozen years, and I'm told that a volunteer cut it off a few years after it was planted. All of that growth is from the last eight or nine years. Anita

you are so fortunate to have such a wonderful resource near you. Nice list of roses, too. Hope you find everything you want!

True but I wish I can go but I have to work. Yeah, Jeff and Debbie has more roses there than on line...esp antiques which I was shocked. I ask Jeff why it is not on line but he do sell them to locals and rose society. That was how I ended up getting Maggie which was not on line on whatsoever. Any one of you guys have Cliff Richard's rose from Jeff ,? I love it. The colour and scent. Here are the pics Ignore my fence it will be replaced this year... hopefully :) One of you guys recommend that rose and I love it very much. It has no BS and the rose never balls or anything like that esp we got nearly a month of heavy rain. I am amazed by it. Thanks for recommending this rose !! Jin