Ho, the fabulous moyesii - I simply cannot say enough about this rose - although even in england, mine is way above my head - I think it is topping out at around 12 feet high and wide. Moyesii is a gaunt specimen and late into leaf....so this year, I have set the little mediterannean clematis at its base to run up the trunk. Clematis cirrhosa 'Ourika Valley, unlike 'Freckles', is an unblemished white with those delicious evergreen ferny leaves. It is in bloom throughout January, February and into March. I have always wanted a snowbells (halesia monticola) bush but my alkaline soil precludes this choice....but I have a fond hope that the pendulous creamy white bells of this clematis might look just the ticket.....and if it goes well, I may even try clematis urophylla 'Winter Beauty or one of the alpinas up the rose since it is such an obligingly architectural shape. For the past couple of years, mine has also had an annoying tendency to lose more of the heps (hence the clems) - I will be getting 'Sealing Wax' or Master Hugh (true, Kim, a fabulous monster) to open my woodlands (along with a handful of crabs for that Christmassy tiny red apples and berries thingy and heaps of white blossom in spring (the crabs are 'Wedding Day, John Downie and m.tschonoskii - the latter especially valued for autumn colours). A rose for a wild garden, which assorts well with those huge ramblers such as Seagull, The Garland........

Species roses are the origin roses, the earliest. You will see them referred to as "Rosa something", for example Rosa multiflora (also noted as R. multiflora) is a species rose. See the link below for a better description. Most of what we grow now are hybrids. Seeds will be from the variety that is grafted onto the rootstock. Suckers could be from the rootstock or from the variety. If the sucker comes from below the graft union, then it is a sucker from the rootstock. If the sucker comes from above the graft union, this is new growth of the grafted variety, we usually call these "basal breaks". Here is a link that might be useful: Old Garden Rose Primer by Steve Jones

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.

It is no taller than two feet, very fragrant, sets hips. I've had it about two years, found it in the woods.