Phlip,
I love them too. I can think of no other group of roses that provides such beauty, health, fragrance, hardiness and fall color. I live where it gets very cold and they fly through the winter without any protection. No disease. I was surprised to see a rugosa love coming from what I assume to be a mild climate. Some of my favorites: Agnes, Jens Munk, Charles Albanel and Roseraie de l'Hay.

I am also very fond of rugosas, although I don't have too many.
I have Wasagaming, a very beautiful light pink rose, blooms once very heavily in early June, and with less abundance in Sept.
Blanc Double de Coubert, blooms pretty well continuously, and when it is not wet, the blooms are lovely and fragrant.
When wet, the blooms look like wet kleenex. (sorry but that's how they look)
Rugelda is a yellow with dark pink or magenta edge. Topaz Jewel is soft yellow, lovely fragrance. Therese Bugnet is a very hardy pink. I would like to get Jens Munk for next year.

I have just discoveried Rugosa roses by accident .I purchased a cutting of a rose at a market day and it turned out to be Scabrosa . This year I have just put in Schneezwerg and Pink Grootendorst and a friend has struck Agnes for me .I can't wait until they flower .

Hello rugosa-lover´s,
I´m very interested in rugosas, but unfortunately the soil in my region based on limestone, so the rugosas become often chlorotic. Does somebody knew rugosas which are not so sensitive to this? And have somebody made experience with the so-called explorer-roses? Thank´s for answers!

Hi Alois,
My soil is very alkaline too and is above a limestone foundation so I'm always dealing with clorosis. I don't know of any rugosas that are less sensitive to this condition than others but I have found the use of Epsom Salts (magnesium sulphate) helpful in making the iron in the soil more accessible. I use about 1 cup (250 ml) in the spring per plant and then again in midsummer. I also add lots of peat moss to the soil and this help balance it.

I also grow quite a few Explorers and I find them to be as a whole the best choices for cold climates. Not only are they extremely hardy but they are some of the most blackspot resistant roses on the market. This link to the Canadian Rose Society is a good resource. Let me know if you have any specific questions about any of them. I highly recommend them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Canadian Hardy Roses

Hello,

I am very satisfied with "Rose à parfum de l'Haÿ",wich seems less happy in France.I'd like to know if it is present in New Zealand.
The Explorer and Parkland Roses do extremely well in Belgium, these are roses that can be used in public places without any care. They can be used in the coldest areas of Germany.
It is to note the Rugosas are only a little part in their genealogy. The R.Arkansana, a native species from the north-american prairies, played a bigger role, and even R.Acicularis.
Best wishes,
Pete

Hello everyone,
I have a garden full of Rugosas and Explorers, and they're absolutely wonderful! I think my favorite Rugosa is "Snow Pavement" of the pavement series from Germany and my favorite Explorer has to be John Davis, hardy to the tips in minus 35 to 40 degree weather. As a bonus it has reddish colored canes which add winter interest.
I'd love to get Wasagaming, I've heard it's a great rose. I too use Epsom salts in the spring and I found it really helped alot, I didn't even have to use the iron chelate I had bought.
It's neat how these roses get around!
prairie gal

The only remaining rugosa in my garden is Topaz Jewel, the one rugosa that wasn't devastated by the rose stem girdler. After years of battling this little beastie, I finally just gave in and shovelpruned the lot, over a dozen varieties. Although I've read that there is no method to effectively deter the RSG, has anyone found a way to deal with this problem...other than removing the affected cane(s) and burning them?

Hi Shirley,
I've been getting problems with them too on a few rugosas and I'm trying a systemic food to treat them internally. I hate to use the stuff, but I'm wondering if it might kill them from the inside since they pupate inside the cane. I just started using it late last season on the affected plants, so I hope to know if it has made a difference by the end of this summer. I'll keep you posted.

Hello All,
Have odered 325 bare root Rugosas and they should arrive late Jan 06. Should one plant them in pots initailly and then plant in the soil or plant directly in the soil? If so,should any ingrediants be added to the soil? My soil is well drained sandy loam. Appreciate any thoughts.
kb@mybizol.com