The only near species rose on my wish list is R.x dupontii, one of the most beautiful white single rose I have seen. I grow very few true species roses apart from the natives Rosa canina, R. dumalis and R. majalis that grow all over my woodland. I keep them for the hips, for me and the birds. The species I have actively chosen are R. pendulina, R. maximowicziana, R. stellata var mirifica and R. nutkana var hispida (or R. spaldingii). But I have quite a few near species, selections and species hybrids, among them 'Geranium', 'Louis Riel', R. x nitida 'Defender', 'Freya' and R. glauca 'Nova'. If I had more space I would get more American species as they usually bloom later that the Eurasian species.

Hi Ann, One of the things I might do first is contact the author(s) that wrote "The three of us grew up in this beautiful region,.... In the spring there is an odour of thyme, wild roses...." and ask if they know what kind of roses they saw (and if they have pictures). If you have trouble finding contact info, I'd ask the publisher of the book to forward your message to the author(s). Another approach would be to write some of the "partners" in the cave project cited on the web page: http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/chauvet/en/index.html and see what they know of the roses. Also you could try French rose collections/botanical gardens. Or some of the rose nurseries such as Loubert, Ducher, or Hook etc. If they have native French species roses they may have a good idea where these roses originate in the wild or suggest to you the best experts to contact. Melissa

All wild roses are called species roses and bloom once usually before many other roses.They are called by their latin name but also have a common one too ie. rosa gallica officinalis or Apothecary Rose. The origin of most species roses is lost in history but some are modern ones such as The Penzance Briars which are improvements on the Sweet briar rose. Wilhelm Kordes also introduced species hybrids called Frulingsgold, Fruhlingsmorgen etc.. Most of the species roses have vigorous growth and only need pruning to keep tidy or if they outgrow their allotted space.

Hi Emily ... That would be Scabrosa, a Rugosa it also has beautiful big hips.. Cheers Mary-Anne