All time Favorite Roses

17 years ago

Oh no guys,

I got Rose-itis and it isn't even November...I can't wait to be out planting roses, and I am sure everyone else is too! I have been drooling over all the gorgeous roses that I am planning on getting. I just can't handle it any longer!

So my question to everyone is this-(preferably for people in zone 4 or lower...)

-What is your all time favorite rose that is hardy? This includes OGR and shrubs and everything else that is hardy...

My favorite one is-

Hope for Humanity-The blood red blooms never stop coming and even though it caught a rather severe disease I love it!

So everyone needs to answer and tell me what roses are wonders and where I can get them.

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Comments (8)

sazzyrose
17 years ago
My all time favorite Canadian roses for disease resistance and continual blooms are
Alexander Mackenzie
Prairie Joy
Morden Cardinette
Morden Sunrise
Frotenac

A new one this spring Sunrise Sunset really impressed me as well. It is listed as zone 4 so I have my fingers crossed.

My Canadian favorites for flower form and disease resistance are
Quadra
Lambert Closse

The Buck roses are really wonderful roses as well.
Prairie Star
Hawkeye Belle
Aunt Honey
Country Dancer
Golden Unicorn
Distant Drums
This winter will be a test as to how hardy they really are.

Honestly there isn't a rose that I don't like.

As for places to buy roses, I perfer to buy them locally from greenhouses. For the varieties that I can't buy here I use mail order. I have ordered from Valley K and Cedar Hollow Rose Farms and have been pleased.

To see what I grow and view photos of the roses in my garden, go to the link below.
Shelley

Here is a link that might be useful: Shelley's roses at HMF
Laurie_z3_MB
17 years ago
Ahh, what a slippery slope question!lol I do love all my roses, but for really hardy ones, I really like JP Connell, Lambert Closse, and De Montarville for the shape of the flowers.

And for border-line hardy roses, Buck's Hawkeye Belle and Golden Unicorn are awesome. And for shear number of blooms, Bonica has to be at the top of my list.

Every rose seems to have it's different attributes to love or to hate. The one characteristic that I'm trying to stay away from in roses, is when the flower blows too quickly, but those long lasting flowers can be difficult to find. But Hawkeye Belle is a sure winner in the long lasting category, as well as in the beauty category.

Laurie
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BenT, thanks to your photo and comment about Sam McGredy’s book, Look to the Rose, I couldn’t resist purchasing a used copy. It came today and I was thrilled to recognize that the cover photo was Matangi!! The write up devoted to Matangi was representative of the fabulous rose I think Matangi is. He started out by suggesting how the public grows weary of rose breeders bragging on how novel their new rose is. Then he says there can be no argument about the novel quality of Matangi. It sticks out like a sore thumb. It’s color combination is completely unique and the rose is also almost instantly recognizable even when its not in bloom. Matangi has very dark, rather small foliage, but it is produced in such abundance that the leaf size becomes unimportant. (I didn’t know small foliage was considered a flaw!). He goes on to say the plant is unusually free flowering, even for a Florabunda. The growth is very even and the bush develops a nice shape. It repeats very quickly and the overall effect is graceful. He left out one of my favorite characteristics, how long the flowers look colorful in the garden, which is long after they’ve passed their prime. I love its very dark foliage and it’s handsome shape because it makes the plant fit into the garden so well. There are no ugly lower parts or awkward growth habits to disguise. Matangi was awarded President’s Trophy for the U.K. winner for the best rose of its year. Its name comes from a traditional Maori song with a haunting melody, “E rere ra et Matangi”. there is a WWII battleship from New Zealand named Matangi I am so glad I have this rose. I’ll always make a place for it in my garden.
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leo_prairie_view
17 years ago
It is a hard question to answer as each rose has its own special points. But overall my favourite rose is Dr. Merkeley. It is a one time bloomer but blooms after the other roses have had their flush. To me the flower form and fragrance are just what a rose should be and it is cane hardy in my open prairie garden.
Shelly, I see 'Jacques Cartier'on your Helpmefind list but not in your favourites. How does it perform for you?
Leo

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:522573}}
sazzyrose
17 years ago
Leo, I'll have to try one of the Dr. Merkeley bushes.
As far as Jacques Cartier, it was new this year and I didn't get overly excited about it. Plants never perform their best until they settle in well.
Shelley
User
17 years ago
When I gardened in zone 4/5 I had good luck with Rosa gallica versicolor, Mme. Hardy, Comte de Chambord, Fantin-Latour, Reine des Violettes, Kognin von Danemark and Baronne Prevost. But the Baronne was only hardy to the snow line. Any exposed canes were winter killed so a good mulching is recommended (but it does bloom on new wood). RdV was much hardier. It only showed some tip damage.

I found most minis on their own roots to be pretty hardy. Exposed canes did blacken but most of the canes under the mulch or snow were nice and green in the spring. I did have hardiness problems with Winsome, Starina and Grace Sewart for some reason. Irresistible and Gourmet Popcorn were really hardy and had the least amount of winter kill in the spring.

I had decent success wintering over hybrid teas. Of course I buried the bud unions 3+ inches and usually had blackened canes down to the ground in the spring but most of them bounced back once the soil warmed. There were a few that did not like Wisconsin winters: St. Patrick, Royal Highness, Secret, Gold Medal and Honor come to mind right away. Mr. Lincoln, Double Delight, Pristine, Garden Party and Folklore did well for me. These 5 survived 16+ Green Bay winters and I had a handful of others surviving in that garden for a shorter number of years before we moved last year.

About 8 years ago I got real bold and tried to grow old teas and chinas in pots up north! They survive several winters in our unheated attached garage. I now grow these types down here in containers year round.
valleyrimgirl
17 years ago
tenor_peggy, could you email me privately? We are coming to Florida this winter and I would like to ask you a few general questions. Thanks.

Brenda
andyvancleve
17 years ago
I've seen a hundred year old Harison's Yellow in zone 4 "The Hill Towns" on the rim of Hudson Valley. Thats a pretty impressive sight. Father Hugo's rose is also well represented in the Hill Towns. I like roses that bloom for only a short time but have hundreds of flowers all at once while in bloom. The problem is when these roses aren't blooming many unknowledgable people will weed wack them to the ground. I have observed though that often these plants grow back in a few years healthier than ever to bloom again even better than before.
kerstin_swe
17 years ago
John davis and William Baffin can take any snowstorm :)
I also like quadra , Morden Centennial and Hope for humaity

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:779779}}

All time Favorite Roses

Comments (8)

sazzyrose

Laurie_z3_MB

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