The Rugosas are an attractive and highly interesting group of roses; they tend to bloom all season and require less care than almost any other member of the rose family.
In short, they answer the prayers of every gardener who likes roses but does not have the time or inclination to indulge his plants.
In Their Growth
The Rugosas are tremendously vigorous. They are also extremely hardy and disease resistant.
With these characteristics, the original species and the many hybrids deserve much wider popularity, especially in the colder regions, than they have received.
Speaking of, a Rugosa may be planted and forgotten until its growth becomes unruly. Then, the entire plant may be cut off at the ground level and thereby rejuvenated and reshaped in one easy operation.
Usually, such treatment would be needlessly drastic, but it is mentioned to drive home the point that Rugosa roses really can take it.
In Ordinary Practice
They are decidedly accommodating regarding pruning since they will do quite well without any pruning. Their general appearance, however, is greatly improved if the old wood is removed occasionally or as the bush becomes too dense.
If they occupy a position where corrective pruning is required, they may be pruned, moderately or very severely, to fit those requirements. This may be done anytime during the fall, winter, or early spring.
Many of them are ideal subjects for backgrounds or hedges and individual specimens.
Some locations are unequaled by any other shrub since their extreme hardiness allows them to grow and flower even in the most exposed situations.
The Original Types Are Attractive In Many Ways
They have handsome, dark green, wrinkled foliage, which becomes orange and red tinted in the fall, delightfully fragrant blossoms, and large, brightly colored fruits.
The fruits, however, should not be allowed to be set too freely if a recurrent bloom is wanted.
Birds, particularly pheasants, are extremely fond of the seeds, and planting Rugosa roses will attract many birds that spend the winter in the north.
Soil Requirements
The soil requirements of Rugosas are not very exact. They prefer light soil, and yet they don’t mind growing in heavy clay so long as it’s not too wet.
I’ve seen several very fine specimens growing in the heavy subsoil from basement excavations.
Earliest Reference To Rugosa Roses
The earliest reference to Rugosa roses is found in Chinese literature from about 1200 years ago, but their history as a whole is rather obscure.
Carl Thunberg, the Swedish botanist, is generally credited with introducing the white form, Rosa rugosa alba, and the red form, R. rugosa rubra, into Europe in the year 1784.
It is quite possible, however, that these roses were known before then under some other name. The primitive types are quite common in the area that extends from Japan to Kamchatka and in eastern Siberia and northern China.
Hybrid Species Scattered
As they cross quite readily with other species, we find many hybrid species and species variations scattered throughout the northern hemisphere.
The original types bear large, fragrant, single flowers of various shades of pink, red, and white.
These types are adaptable to practically any location and are the only dependable hardy and recurrent blooming species known.
The species hybrids are similarly hardy, but many bloom only once a year.
Crossing Rugosa Species
The many hybrids produced by crossing the Rugosa species with garden roses show great diversity in bloom, foliage, and habit of growth.
Few of them are as hardy as the original species, and many are less disease resistant, but all are superior in these respects to the average Hybrid Tea.
As hardiness is a dominant character, genetically speaking, it is retained to some extent in all hybrids. They may be considered hardy in sections where many other roses are not.
Therefore, the original types and the hybrids are of special value for the extreme north.
Good Companion For Garden Roses
The Rugosas are, of course, not good companions for the usual garden roses. But they are decidedly effective when planted by themselves or with other species of roses or shrubs.
They vary considerably in their growing habits. Some compact form bushes of 2’ to 3’ feet in height; others, if permitted, will form huge shrubs exceeding 10’ feet in height.
There are intermediate sizes of 5’ to 6’ feet and creeping forms such as R. rugosa repens alba and R. rugosa repens rosea and the hybrid Max Graf. Thus they afford plenty of choices once you have decided on the purpose for which they are to be used.
Make Into A Hedge
In the entire rose family, no group makes a better or more easily managed hedge, and it is for this purpose, as well as for growing as specimens or in the shrubbery border, that they are best suited.
They cannot replace the Hybrid Teas in the rose bed, however, and their blooms are not of great value as cut flowers since they do not last well after being cut.
They are essentially outdoor plants, and we should consider them as flowering shrubs rather than as we usually regard other roses.
Pests Affecting Rugosa
I know of only one pest that seriously affects the Rugosas; fortunately, this one is not common. It’s the rose stem girdler (Agrilus viridis) and canes attacked by it show elongated swellings, the leaves gradually turn yellow, and eventually the cane breaks off at the injured point.
The only way to control it is to remove and burn all canes that show evidence of the attack.
That these roses will thrive though neglected is evident to anyone who visits the island of Martha’s Vineyard off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in June.
Rugosas are everywhere, and their fragrance in the air is quite noticeable. It is unknown whether these plants are descendants of bushes planted by the early settlers or of those brought to the island by whaleships of long ago.
In either case, they prove that the group is persistent and seemingly unaffected by high winds, salt air, and dry soil.
Different Rugosa Rose Varieties
Rosa Rugosa Alba
The white form, Rosa rugosa alba, and the pink, R. rugosa rosea, are ideal for naturalizing, as the 3-inch single blooms are produced freely over a long period on a 6-foot plant that embodies all the good characteristics of the group—large red hips, or seed pods, attractive foliage, and extreme hardiness.
Rosa Rugosa Calocarpa
R. rugosa calocarpa results from a cross between R. rugosa and R. chinensis and is somewhat taller in growth than alba and rosea.
Unfortunately, it did not inherit the everblooming tendencies of its parents. Still, its single rose-colored blossoms are so attractive and are borne so profusely in early summer that they cannot be overlooked.
Its abundant, brightly colored hips also compensate somewhat for its short flowering period. It is typically Rugosa in form and very hardy.
Schneezwerg
Schneezewerg is part of Rugosa and is a hardy 4’ to 5’ feet shrub that blooms freely throughout the summer. The blooms are semi-double and snow-white. Sir Thomas Liptox is another white of similar habit.
The flowers are of somewhat better form but are less abundant, and unlike Schneezewerg, which produces hips in great abundance, this variety produces none.
Of equal value among whites is Blanc Double de Coubert, which, though not as free flowering as the two preceding varieties, is somewhat more attractive in flower form and superior in hip production.
Stella Polaris is a free-flowering large single white, and Nova Zembla has beautifully shaped large white blooms that, under some conditions, are pink-tinged.
Hexa
Hexa is desirable where other roses will not thrive, but its fast-fading violet-red blooms are not attractive, and although the plant habit is good and hips are produced freely, there are much better Rugosas. It is mentioned only because of its dependable hardiness.
Saxguixaire
Saxguixaire is, in my opinion, one of the most attractive of the Hybrid Rugosas. The plant is vigorous and, under ideal conditions, will reach a height of 8′ feet. The bud is well-formed, and the flower is large, semi-double, and fragrant.
The color is a pleasing combination of oxblood-red and orange, and the bright yellow stamens are quite prominent.
Roseraie de L’Hay
Although many roses have better flower form than Roseraie de L’Hay, few have better fragrances.
The bright crimson-red color fades rapidly, however, to a rather unpleasant magenta. It is hardy and vigorous, produces no hips, and is valued primarily for its fragrance.
The damask-like fragrance of Rose, a Parfum de L’Hay, is probably even more pleasing than that of the preceding, and the blossoms are of better form and color.
It rarely exceeds 4 feet and may suffer some winter damage in the far north.
Nevertheless, it is the better of two intensely fragrant Rugosas, as it blooms persistently, and the large carmine-red blossoms fade only during extremely hot weather.
Thusnelda
Thusnelda rarely flowers more than once, but it is so attractive during its blooming period that it deserves a place in the garden where space permits planting varieties that bloom only once a season.
The large semi-double flowers are soft pink and fragrant and are freely produced on a healthy, hardy, and vigorous plant.
Grootendorst Roses
The Grootendorst roses (F. J., Pink, and Supreme) are distinctive in that their flowers resemble those of carnations’ they are often referred to as “carnation roses.”
They attain a height of about 5 feet, are dependably hardy, and bloom profusely and continuously.
Unfortunately, however, they lack fragrance. Grootendorst Supreme is a deep crimson-red sport of the bright red F. J. Grootendorst, resulting from a cross between R. rugosa rubra and a Polyantha rose. Pink Grootendorst is also a sport of F. J. Grootendorst.
Hybrid Rugosas
Dr. Eokener and Golden King are Hybrid Rugosas that require some protection in sections that experience extremely low winter temperatures. The former copper-rose blossoms are large, semi-double, and fragrant. The latter is yellow.
Both flowers are comparable in quality to those of the average Hybrid Tea, but the plants are much more vigorous and reach a height of 6 to 8 feet.
Roth is a remnant that fully deserves the protection they require in the more northern regions.
Conrad Ferdinand Meyer is a persistent bloomer and is probably the best of the pink Hybrid Rugosas. The blooms are nicely formed and very fragrant.
This variety is equally satisfactory as a pillar or specimen rose, as it is quite vigorous, and 10-foot canes are not uncommon. However, it is slightly susceptible to black spots.
Vanguard
Vanguard is another exceedingly vigorous Rugosa hybrid that deserves consideration as one of the best. The large, double, orange-salmon blooms are quite fragrant, and the foliage is very distinctive.
Vanguard and Conrad Ferdinand Meyer are good companion roses, and neither shows any trace of winter injury at 15° degrees Fahrenheit below zero.
Agnes
The Canadian variety Agnes produces medium-size, double blossoms that are pale amber in color and fragrant. The plants bloom once a year and are extremely hardy.
Max Graf
There are few better creeping or trailing roses than Max Graf. Although it blooms only once a year, it has much to recommend as the ideal rose for ground cover.
It is vigorous and hardy, and the foliage is attractive throughout the season. The flowers are quite large, single, and bright pink with golden centers.
Space Limitations
Limitation of space prohibits the description of wide other varieties that also should be better known among this group of roses, combining attractiveness, ruggedness, hardiness, and handsome foliage and fruits.
It cannot be too strongly emphasized, however, that all the Rugosas are the roses for the would-be rose grower who has failed with other more temperamental types and for the should-be rose grower who has the mistaken idea that roses are hard to grow.
Propagation
Regarding propagation, the Rugosas are easy to propagate since they are best on their roots. Those close to the original types supply cuttings that root easily and seeds that germinate rapidly.
Of course, the seedlings may show some variation from the type. But, Bub, they will always be interesting, and there is also the possibility that they may be better than the parent.
Optimism adds much to the pleasure of growing roses from seed, and the Rugosas will supply seed in great quantities with all sorts of possibilities.
44659 by R. E. Shepherd