for the UCSC FARM & GARDEN Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems, Gardener UC Santa Cruz The Allure of Species

species (abbreviated spp.) is a wild rose. or the showiness of their They hail from diverse climates and geographic ÁRZHUVEXWPRUHLQWKHLU A centers of the northern hemisphere (North simplicity, as well as in the America, into North Central , the Mid East, elegance of their growth, the with a high percentage occurring throughout ). daintiness of their foliage, 0RUHRIWHQWKDQQRWWKH\DUHFODVVLÀHGDQGOLVWHGE\ and their often richly genus (Rosa) and species with no varietal or colored fruit. Indeed, hardly name, although they often have a common name: any of the wild roses are Rosa eglanteria – Sweet Briar rose lacking in beauty, but it is a beauty that has to be looked Rosa banksia – the Banksia rose for.” Rosa foetida – Austrian Copper ¶1RXJKVDLG)LQGDZD\ Rosa – the Rugosas to bring a few species roses Conversely, with cultivated, bred , into the garden and both the genus and species are assumed (if known) and time (history) and terrain (geography) will beckon to are classed by type, class (a non-botanical term), and you and lure you back out beyond the garden gate. variety or cultivar: RUGOSA SPP. AND RUGOSA HYBRIDS *UDQGLÁRUD²¶*ROG0HGDO· Most Rugosa spp. roses hail from northeastern +\EULG7HD²¶'DLQW\%HVV· Asia—northern Japan, , China and north to . They are among the most cold hardy of CHARACTERISTICS OF SPECIES ROSES DOOQDWLYHRUJDUGHQURVHV žWRR) 7KH\DUH ridiculously tolerant of a wide range of soil types, ‡ 6LPSOHÁRZHUIRUP²SHWDOV especially sandy soils. In fact, they are referred to as ‡ Often borne as a single, terminal bloom “sand ” roses. I have a strong visual memory, ‡ Rarely (if ever) repeat blooming from my youth, of Rugosas growing and thriving on ‡ Early season bloomers (for example, Banksia the sand of Cape Cod, coastal Maine and New blooms in March in Santa Cruz) Hampshire. ‡ Abundant bloom $VVSHFLHVURVHVE\GHÀQLWLRQ5XJRVDVEUHHG ‡ Restricted bloom period (3–6 weeks) true to type from seeds if pollinated by themselves or other varieties within the species. That is oh so ‡ 'RXEOHGLYLGHQGRIEORRPVDQGWKHQDWWUDFWLYHLQ not true about garden roses, which generally have some cases edible and choice, hips more complex parentage genetics and often several ‡ (swollen ovaries) different species in their background. Rugosa hybrids ‡ Limited color range: mostly shades of soft or shell RIIHUDZLGHUUDQJHRIÁRZHUFRORUVWKDQWKHVSHFLHV pink, rarely pure white, crimson or yellow, along with more of a tendency to repeat bloom and ‡ some reds or scarlets JUHDWHUSHWDODJH ! 7KH\DUHWKHUHVXOWRIEUHHGLQJ ‡ Require little or no garden care (fertility, sprays, programs crossing a Rugosa rose with various garden deadheading, pruning) and only moderate water roses. As per looks and performance, they are virtually ²[PRQWK as carefree and wild as the species. Rugosas are reliably consistent performers and yet $VSUHHPLQHQWURVHEUHHGHU'DYLG$XVWLQZULWHVLQ they remain among the most under-appreciated and his book Roses and Climbing Roses, “The pleasure unsung members of the rose family. Roses that strongly of wild roses lies not so much in their colourfulness For the Gardener repeat bloom, have long, strong cutting stems, and Hips: Another Rugosa dividend is the hips (fruits, ÁRZHUVZLWKDYDVHOLIHRIPRUHWKDQ²GD\VDUHRIWHQ RUVZROOHQRYDULHV 7KH\WHQGWRODUJH ²µ FRORUIXO preferred as more useful by gardeners, especially in RUDQJHUHG VXFFXOHQWDQGGHOLFLRXV'XULQJWKH small gardens. But that is not the Rugosa rose. growing season, they develop alongside canes with Rugosas, typical of most shrub (as opposed continuing summer-fall blooms. At maturation in the to modern bush) roses, have more of an abiding fall they can be dried and used as a sweet-tart, high presence, character and grace in the garden. When vitamin C tea, made into jam or be left to ferment they bloom, both the number of blooms coupled with ´RQWKHYLQHµDQGRIIHUHGDVDQDGXOWEHYHUDJH WKHLUHOHJDQWO\VLPSOHVLQJOH SHWDOHG µ²µDFURVV food source to birds along with two other berry- undulating petals make a compelling statement. But producing members of the Rose family (Cotoneaster in truth they are only intermittent in their proclivity to and Pyracantha). Birds will actually get drunk from UHEORRP7KHVWHPVSRVVHVVPDQ\ÀQHSULFNOHVWKDWDUH fermented rose hips. impossible to remove and thus reduce vase life. The : Most Rugosas feature striking simple books talk endlessly—in a positive vein—about the VLQJOHÁRZHUV²µZLGH7KHSHWDOVDUHWRXJKEXWJLYH scent of Rugosas, calling them “well scented.” Keep the appearance of being delicate, even fragile. in mind most of the books are written by the Brits. I are prominent, many and protruding, often cream or ÀQGWKLVWREHDHXSKHPLVPIRUOLJKWO\RUHYHQZHDNO\ soft yellow to bold golden. Scent can be variable; from scented. Scent is variable variety to variety. But when none to sweet-tart to overwhelming (in a good way). LW·VJRRGLW·VLQWR[LFDWLQJ 0RVW5XJRVDVIHDWXUHDVWURQJHDUO\VSULQJÁXVKRI EORRPVDQGWKHQOLWWOHRURQO\LQWHUPLWWHQWÁRZHULQJ FEATURES OF RUGOSA ROSES but some bloom almost continuously or at least offer a strong repeat bloom. Some Rugosas have semi- or Bush Characteristics: RugosaEXVKHVDUHWDOO ² IXOO\GRXEOHÁRZHUIRUPV feet), very erect but not stiff, and usually have gracefully arching canes (rose jargon for branches). Greatest Hits of Rugosas The bushes are thick and full with the ability to Rosa rugosa var. alba7DOO³XSWR·³ZLWKODUJH self-propagate and spread gently via underground XSWRµDFURVV SXUHZKLWHVLQJOH SHWDOV ÁRZHUV rhizomes. The canes feature many prickles that are with strong fragrance. The bloom period extends small and bothersome, but not large and menacing like intermittently through fall after a strong push in many wild species roses. The evolutionary purpose of spring. Hips are large, red, abundant and tasty. Very these prickles is to repel unwanted predators from the prickly (lots and little). succulent seed-bearing hips (swollen ovaries). Rosa rugosa var. rubra7DOO³XSWR·$V$OEDEXW Foliage: Rugosa tend toward dark greens and with a graceful arch to the canes and brilliant magenta- VHUYHDVDVHGDWHFRQWUDVWLQJEDFNGURSWRWKHÁRZHU SXUSOHÁRZHUV%ORRPVLQFOXVWHUVDQGVHWVKLSV The foliage undulates and has a very waxy cuticle similarly. (surface). The botanical term for the foliage is rugose, derived from the Latin word ruga, which essentially Rugosa Hybrids translates as having a wrinkled, crinkled and wavy Scabrosa: This RugosaLVDNQRFNRXWJURZLQJ²· surface. WDOOZLWKODUJH µ VLQJOHÁRZHUVZKRVHFRORUKDVEHHQ Rugosa foliage is a strong feature of the . described variously as: purple-pink, velvet crimson The waxy cuticle also prevents fungal diseases from shading to violet-mauve, mauve-red, rosy magenta gaining a foothold and proliferating, which is a serious DQGWKHRXWUDJHRXVYLRODFHRXVFULPVRQ)ORZHUFRORULV problem on most garden roses, modern or heirloom. stronger as it opens, softening at full bloom. As big on 0XFKOLNHNHOSSURGXFWVDUHDQRUJDQLFJDUGHQHU·V OXVWURXVVKLQ\IROLDJHDVLWLVRQWDVW\ÁHVK\KLSVWKH LQVXUDQFHSROLF\DJDLQVWWUDFHQXWULHQWGHÀFLHQFLHV size of cherry tomatoes. Strong, intense fragrance and 5XJRVDVDUHDQRUJDQLFJDUGHQHU·VKHGJHDJDLQVW just about continuously in bloom April–October. fungal diseases. They are not just disease resistant but Blanc Double de Coubert$W²·LQKHLJKWWKLV virtually disease immune. That is to say they never is one of the more compact Rugosas, bearing white need spraying (not low, but no-spray roses.) As an semi-double blooms that are delicate snow white and added bonus, Rugosa·VIROLDJHJRHVDOODXWXPQDOLQWKH strongly fragrant. A little sparse in both foliage and fall, with shades of yellow, orange and bronze-y red. hips.

 The Allure of Species Roses

Roseraie de L’Hay (named after famous Parisian URVHJDUGHQ *URZV²·LQKHLJKWDQGEHDUVODUJH Other publications in the “For the Gardener” series – ULFKFULPVRQÁRZHUVZLWKDVZHHWVFHQW7KHÁRZHUV t"(BSMJD1SJNFS DUHIXOO\GRXEOHDQGÁRSLQRQWKHPVHOYHVDQGDODV there are no hips. Repeat blooming. The overall effect t"QQMF5SFFTGPS&WFSZ(BSEFO RIWKHGHQVHOX[XULDQWIROLDJHDQGDXGDFLRXVÁRZHUV t"TJBO(SFFOT0GGFS5BTUZ &BTZUP(SPX (number, shape, color and scent) make this a stunning Source of Nutrition must-have. t#VJMEJOH'FSUJMF4PJM Agnes: A rare yellow RugosaWKDWJURZV²·LQ KHLJKW)ORZHUVDUHJOREXODUGRXEOH µ DQGRID´SDOH t$IPPTJOHBOE(SPXJOH4UPOF'SVJUT KDUYHVWPRRQ\HOORZµ'DUNJUHHQIROLDJHVHUYHVDVD t$JUSVT0GGFST:FBS3PVOE0QUJPOT JRRGIRLOWRWKHÁRZHUV6ZHHWWDQJ\IUDJUDQFH$ODQ t$POUSPMMJOH4NBMM"OJNBM1FTUT Chadwick had one planted just at the entrance to the garden chalet that lamentably gave up the ghost in t$PWFS$SPQTGPSUIF(BSEFO WKHZHW(O1LxRRI·$KDUGSODQWWRVRXUFH³WKH t'SFODI*OUFOTJWF(BSEFOJOH"3FUSPTQFDUJWF good news being that Roses of Yesterday and Today t(BSEFO#FBOT0GGFS:FBS3PVOE4PVSDFPG VHHEHORZ KDGRQHUHPDLQLQJFRQWDLQHURI¶$JQHV· (SFBU'MBWPS /VUSJUJPO that now graces the same planting spot in front of WKHFKDOHW,WLVVLWXDWHGLQDEHGDORQJZLWK¶5RVHUDLH t(SPXJOH0OJPOTBOE-FFLTJOUIF)PNF(BSEFO GH/·+D\·¶%ODQF'RXEOHGH&RXEHUW·¶$OED·DQG t(SPXJOH1FBTJOUIF)PNF(BSEFO ¶6FDEURVD·7KH\·OODFKLHYHEORRPVL]HLQVSULQJ t(SPXJOH4QJOBDI #FFUTBOE$IBSE DORQJZLWKDEXUJHRQLQJFROOHFWLRQRIÀYHWRVL[PRUH Rugosas, which were established thanks to a grant t-FU8PSNT.BLFZPVS$PNQPTU"4IPSU(VJEF IURPWKH6WDQOH\6PLWK+RUWLFXOWXUDO)RXQGDWLRQ UP7FSNJDPNQPTUJOH Ann Endt$VORZJURZLQJ·WDOOVKUXE'HQVH t/PO$IFNJDBM4OBJMBOE4MVH$POUSPM foliage, attractive in the landscape. Rich velour-like t1FQQFST‰'SPN4XFFUUP'JFSZ GHHSSXUSOHVLQJOHÁRZHUVZLWKVWULNLQJJROGHQ stamens. A show stopper! t1PUBUPFTJOUIF)PNF(BSEFO Frau Dagmar Hartopp, a.k.a. Frau Dagmar t3FMJBCMF'SVJU5SFF7BSJFUJFTGPS4BOUB$SV[$PVOUZ Hastrup*URZV²·WDOODQGEHDUVÁRZHUVWKDWIHDWXUH t3PPUTUPDL#BTJDTGPSUIF)PNF0SDIBSEJTU wide petals of a delicate pink with showy soft yellow t4BMBE.JYFTGPSUIF)PNF(BSEFO stamens. Arguably the most beautiful of all Rugosas. Blooms June–September, followed by large (3”), t4FFE4PVSDFT succulent red hips. t4PJM$VMUJWBUJPO'VOEBNFOUBM$PODFQUTBOE(PBMT GOOD SOURCES OF RUGOSA ROSES t"4PJM1SJNFSXJUI4VTUBJOBCMF.BOBHFNFOU Raintree NurseryRIIHUVYDULHWLHV EDUHURRW  4USBUFHJFT ZZZUDLQWUHHQXUVHU\FRPORFDWHGLQ t5IF"MMVSFPG4QFDJFT3PTFT Morton, WA t8BUFS$POTFSWBtion Tips Roses of Yesterday and Today carries a smattering RIYDULHWLHVZZZURVHVRI\HVWHUGD\FRP “For the Gardener” publications are written and located in Corralitos, CA. This family business has a produced by staff of the Center for Agroecology & Sus- beautiful garden that is open daily to the public. tainable Food Systems at UC Santa Cruz and are avail- Heirloom Roses²RIIHUVTXDOLW\YDULHWLHVIURP able free of charge. Contact the Center at 831.459- “own root” cuttings, live during growing season 3240 or [email protected], to request copies. You can also SODQWVDUHVPDOO ZZZKHLUORRPURVHVFRP download these publications from our website, http:// ORFDWHGLQ6W3DXO25 casfs.ucsc.edu. Antique Rose Emporium – bareroot and actively The Center manages the Alan Chadwick Garden and growing plants in season: www.antiqueroseemporium. the UCSC Farm on the UCSC campus. Both sites are FRPORFDWHGLQ%UHQKDP7; open to the public daily from 8 am to 6 pm. Vintage Gardens – heirloom specialists: www. Page 1 logo artwork by Forrest Cook vintagegardens.coPORFDWHGLQ Sebastopol, CA

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