Rugosa Roses
Like Gallica roses, Rugosas are closely related
to their species rose, in this case R. rugosa, native to Asia.
Rugosas are very obliging plants, growing well under a wide variety
of conditions from garden to seaside to highway median strips. It is not
surprising, then, that varieties and hybrids are common. The Rugosa characteristics
are: healthy foliage that is typically wrinkled (rugose) and is resistant
to blackspot and other afflictions; good hardiness, usually to zone 3 or,
occasionally, to zone 2; and very fragrant blooms, single to double, often
with petals in loose arrangement, and set down in the foliage. The single
flowers generally are more shapely than the doubles. Some are once-blooming,
but the majority are reblooming. Blossom colors are varied, though yellows
are few and far between. Many set a good crop of hips, sometimes concurrently
with later blossoms. The hips (or heps) can be used for jelly, tea, conserves
or vinegar. They are high in Vitamin C. Shrubs are bushy and wood is usually
prickly. They often sucker, especially on light soils. With enough room,
that can be an advantage. They are good companions for the Antique Shrub
Roses
They definitely benefit from being given enough room to develop their
natural, rounded shape. With their dense, bushy growth,
pruning is needed only to shape or to remove old, scraggly growth.
As well as the varieties discussed here, there
are many Canadian Winter Hardy that have Rugosa origins.
Agnes
Small, fragrant, double, buff yellow flowers
fade to creamy white on this nicely shaped shrub. Foliage is ferny and
dark green. Flowers are best in full sun. It blooms in spring, with some
repeat when established. 6' (1922)
Blanc Double du Coubert
Acknowledged to be the best white rugosa, this
rose has pure white, loosely double, fragrant white flowers set off by
rich green foliage. It blossoms virtually all summer long, and often has
large fruit that ripens red. The shrub will grow to 6', but it is easily
kept to smaller dimensions and grows well in tubs. (1892)
Belle Poitevine
Lovely buds open to fragrant, informal blooms
of pale magenta, forerunners of large, scarlet hips, rich in Vitamin C.
Repeat bloom is good on this pretty shrub with dark green foliage that
has good autumn color. 5' (1894)
Delicata
Beautiful lilac-pink flowers are very fragrant,
semi-double, and show yellow stamens. Large hips resembling crabapples
form early, and the flowers have good repeat, so that there are often flowers
accompanying the hips. The bush, with mid-green foliage, is
less vigorous that average and grows only to 3-4'. (1898)
Fru Dagmar Hastrup
A lovely, popular rugosa, this has delicate,
single, pink blooms without the purple shades in many, and with good fragrance,
on a healthy, compact bush. The flowers repeat well, the hips are spectacular,
and the fall color is very good. 3-5' (1914)
Hansa
Purple-red, double blooms have a sweet fragrance
with a touch of clove. The shrub is vigorous and tall, about 5', tolerates
shade, and can even be grown in a tub. (But please see Growing
Your Rose for cautions re over wintering container plants.) Useful
as a medium large hedge. (1905)
Moje Hammarberg
This rugosa is similar to others but rounded
in form and low-growing, so it makes a good ground-cover rose. Large purple-crimson,
semi-double flowers are fragrant, and hips are large and red. 2' (1931)
Parfum de l'Hay
Is this the most fragrant rose? Many believe
so. It definitely has a great perfume. A hybrid of General Jacqueminot,
a Damask rose and a Rugosa, it lacks the typical rugose foliage. Instead,
it has dark green, smooth leaves that set off its cherry-red blooms. Flowering
is prolific, but the leaves are subject to mildew late in the season. Shade
tolerant. 5' (1901)
Roserai de l'Hay
Some rosarians argue that Roserai wins the 'Most
Fragrant' title. Named for the public rose garden near Orly Airport outside
of Paris, this rose is noted as well for its beautiful long, pointed, dark
purplish red buds, that open to semi-double, wine-red blooms with cream
stamens. It flowers almost continuously. Its luxuriant foliage is
glossy and dark green on an attractive, 5' bush. It is very hardy, tolerates
shade and can make a good hedge. It has good fall color but rarely sets
hips. (1901)
R. rugosa alba
One of my favorites, this rose is always fresh-looking
with large, single, pure white flowers centered with a crown of golden
stamens and shiny, medium green foliage on a sturdy, rounded bush. Recurrent
flowers are very fragrant and are followed by large, shiny orange hips.
Petals also good for potpourri. Fall foliage is golden yellow. 6'
R. rugosa rubra (R. rugosa 'Atropurpurea')
Similar to rugosa alba, but a little larger
and, according to some, carrying the best crop of hips. Flowers are purplish-crimson
, single or semi-double, with contrasting creamy stamens. Growth is more
robust, to 7'.
Therese Bugnet
'Therese Bugnet' could pass for a Damask rose
with deep pink buds opening to full, lilac-pink blooms and a lovely fragrance.
But it is far hardier than the antiques, surviving zone 2 winters. Flowers
put on a big show in spring and early summer, then repeat until fall. Smooth
blue-green foliage shows its mixed ancestry. While it seems to be impervious
to bugs and blackspot, it does show a tendency to powdery mildew, so plant
it where there is good air movement. It grows quickly to 6' and tolerates
poor soil and part shade. (1950)
Topaz Jewel
A spectacular golden yellow, 'Topaz Jewel' is
something of a prima donna. Fragrant, loosely double petals surround a
golden heart, and they repeat during the summer. But they will succumb
to a strong wind or to just a few hours in the rose bowl. Furthermore,
the plant has wicked thorns and is unreliably hardy in zone 4a. But such
a color! It is worth a try in a location protected from the wind. The bush
is arching, healthy, and 5' x 7'. (1987)
Copyright © 2000 Orion Farm
