Try looking for it under its Latin name, Rosa foetida. It's quite cold hardy, but intolerant of humidity. I have yet to see one alive, even though serious botanical gardens like to try and grow it.

Also gets black spot very bad & very easily. If you decide to get it or its sport 'Austrian Copper', plant them in a remote location far away from your other rose because they will be a source of BS infection.

Rosa foetida has three forms that are relatively available -- the single yellow, the 'Austrian Copper' sport, and the double yellow (aka 'Persian Yellow').

:-)

~Christopher

Several years ago we visited the Montreal Botanical Garden where there were three different forms (IIRC based on size of mature bushes) of R. foetida. They were growing well, unprotected in winter. Amazingly better than they did for me in Tennessee.

Thanks everyone. I got a bit more info using the latin name. Mines the double flowered type as well.

How far is "well away from my other roses"? Are we talking 10 or more feet?

I would say at least 50 or more feet away & on the down wind end of your other roses which would be the east end in my area as most prevailing summer winds come from one of the westerly directions.

Persian Yellow and Austrian Copper grow all over the place in Santa Fe--and other parts of NM. There is zero humidity there, so they do very well. They also get quite large and are spring-only bloomers. How far away depends on how humid your climate is. Also, it helps somewhat to keep it fairly thinned out (it can get thick and brambly very quickly), so as much air as possible can pass thru.

Isn't it from this rose that all yellow roses with disease to blackspot is descended from?

Yes , that is the belief. Around 1900 Joseph Pernet Duchet introduced almost all the bright yellows & oranges into all our modern roses with his rose called 'Soleil de Or' which has 'Persian Yellow' as one of its parents. Unfortunately it seems that the cross also brought lack of BS resistance along with its yellow & orange genes. Genetics is an interesting thing....many of the roses that have good disease resistance also lack fragrance. Some speculate that there is a connection between these 2 traits as well.

I get humid here. Im on the shore of lake superior but it doesnt get like the SW states here, or as bad as toronto. Im close enough to the lake that the yard can be 5-8C warmer in the summer , and 5C cooler in summer than even 5km away from me. THings are tight for room but there is still some good airflow in most places. I have a "Hunter" rose that doesnt seem to grow as "tight" as the foetida seem to but is still a shrub rose so pruning should be ok. I dont recall seeing to much black spot up here anyways. Mostly powdery mildew, aphids or rust. Most of that I have stopped from watering with the hose and using a watering can instead.

Well I live in the Greater Toronto Area and humidity depends on what kind of summer we have that year. Some summer are very humid, which I have a feeling this year will be but then others are cooler. Of course if I have to choose I will choose more disease resistant variety but in the end, it is what you like. If I like the rose, I will try to grow it. The worst thing that can happen is you shovel prune it if you hate it.

My climate in east central Sweden is cold and dry and all foetidas do fairly well. No blackspot but they are not as vigorous as I could wish. They were planted about 15 years ago but a friend from the south of the country commented on my "young Persian Yellow" a couple of years ago. I suppose I shall have to be content that it is at least healthy.

Yeah ive killed countless roses. Partially my fault for getting ones liek hybrid teas and the like, knowing theyre iffy here anyways and partially on big box stores bringing in all these nice ones that most likely wont make it here. I did manage to get a "peace" to survive. This is its third year, unprotected. Im wondering how well itll do with a bit of mulch and a rose cone or pot. I bought another one just in case, also one called "new day". Doesnt seem my luck will be good for that one lol

Speaking of Peace, I am praying it will survive. It has a little green cane but no buds yet. It is a strong plant and it is at least 3 years. I can find Peace at most nurseries but I hoped it would survive. I bought Chicago Peace and planted next to it hoping it will compliment it.

My peace sent out a shoot last year. Yours may do the same