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.

Noticed they had Headleyensis too - another pale yellow winner - and if you can find Earldomensis....... Great selection of oaks.

I reccomend vintagegardens.coms' Book of Roses to anyone who would find it helpful to have a book that explains the characteristics of each rose class, with its' typical growth habit, bloom habit, and degree of fragrance, for dozens to hundreds of roses in each class. Each chapter begins with a rose class name or type, including: Centifolia, Alba, Gallica, Hybrid China, Bourbon, Hybrid Perpetual, China, Tea, Noisette, through the modern classes of Polyantha, Shrub, Hybrid Tea, Hybrid Rugosa. There is also a nice chapter on rose Species, and species hybrids. The book describes hundreds of different Old Roses. I find this book a must-have. Soft cover, I keep an extra copy to scribble notes in when I visit the rose at a freinds' collection or heritage rose garden. I find the descriptions to be poetically enchanting from a stylistic point of view, and accurate. I also love anything written by Brent Dickerson Lux.

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