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Feb 8, 2010 10:01 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicky Thompson
Michigan (Zone 5b)
Sempervivums Roses Charter ATP Member Peonies Region: Michigan Lilies
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Farmer Cottage Gardener Enjoys or suffers cold winters Annuals Daylilies
Growing roses in rural Michigan has been a learning experience.
While a lot of roses are crown hardy in Z5 living in a rural low lying area has been challenging.
100's of shovel pruned roses later I have come to find that Rugosas are most dependable. I can hear some of you sighing now thinking... blaa Rugosas.... but please reconsider since they come in many of sizes from ground cover to huge shrubs and many blossom forms from single to double. The bonus is their intense, wonderful fragrance and disease resistant foliage that needs no spraying and most of them are non stop bloomers June until October.

Next on my list of cane hardy favorites are Albas. These ancient lovelies are a must have but many shy away from them because they're once bloomers. Well I say POO to that! I wouldn't be without my once blooming roses anymore than I'd be without my once blooming lilacs, peonies, iris, flowering crabs etc. etc.
As one rose lover put it: "Once blooming roses are like Unicorns...you only get a fleeting glimpse of them but you will never forget them."
Some of my once bloomers will bloom up to 6 weeks so they are worthy of your garden space.

A modern once bloomer that everybody should grow is David Austin's "Constance Spry".
Constance will grow in poor soil, has very flexible canes and the blossoms are to die for ... HUGE clear pink globes with magnificent fragrance (if you're into non-typical scents/myrrh/some people hate it). Constance will get real big...8 -10 ft. so plant her where she has room to spread her loveliness around. I have Morning Glories that re-seed themselves every year under Contance so by the time shes blooming she's decked out in pretty flowers for the rest of the growing season.

If you go to my website I have more information on hardy rose recommendations.

"Constance Spry"

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"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck"
Cottage Rose Birds n' Blossoms

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Feb 8, 2010 10:04 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicky Thompson
Michigan (Zone 5b)
Sempervivums Roses Charter ATP Member Peonies Region: Michigan Lilies
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Farmer Cottage Gardener Enjoys or suffers cold winters Annuals Daylilies
Lillian Gibson is a must have once blooming Rambler thats gets huge fast and gets smothered in long lasting blossoms. Blood red canes adds winter interest.

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"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck"
Cottage Rose Birds n' Blossoms

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Feb 8, 2010 10:07 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicky Thompson
Michigan (Zone 5b)
Sempervivums Roses Charter ATP Member Peonies Region: Michigan Lilies
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Farmer Cottage Gardener Enjoys or suffers cold winters Annuals Daylilies
Alba Konigin von Danmark.
One of my favorite Albas.


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"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck"
Cottage Rose Birds n' Blossoms

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Feb 8, 2010 10:10 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicky Thompson
Michigan (Zone 5b)
Sempervivums Roses Charter ATP Member Peonies Region: Michigan Lilies
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Farmer Cottage Gardener Enjoys or suffers cold winters Annuals Daylilies
Rugosa Polareis

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"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck"
Cottage Rose Birds n' Blossoms

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Feb 8, 2010 10:11 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicky Thompson
Michigan (Zone 5b)
Sempervivums Roses Charter ATP Member Peonies Region: Michigan Lilies
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Farmer Cottage Gardener Enjoys or suffers cold winters Annuals Daylilies
"Belle de Crecy"
Lovely Old Garden Rose

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"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck"
Cottage Rose Birds n' Blossoms

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Feb 8, 2010 10:13 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicky Thompson
Michigan (Zone 5b)
Sempervivums Roses Charter ATP Member Peonies Region: Michigan Lilies
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Farmer Cottage Gardener Enjoys or suffers cold winters Annuals Daylilies
Close-up of Konigin v. Danemark

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"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck"
Cottage Rose Birds n' Blossoms

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Feb 8, 2010 10:14 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicky Thompson
Michigan (Zone 5b)
Sempervivums Roses Charter ATP Member Peonies Region: Michigan Lilies
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Farmer Cottage Gardener Enjoys or suffers cold winters Annuals Daylilies
Louise Odier.
Cane hardy repeat bloomer.
Looking for a large flowering repeat bloomer that is cane hardy?
Try this one!

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"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck"
Cottage Rose Birds n' Blossoms

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Feb 8, 2010 10:15 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicky Thompson
Michigan (Zone 5b)
Sempervivums Roses Charter ATP Member Peonies Region: Michigan Lilies
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Farmer Cottage Gardener Enjoys or suffers cold winters Annuals Daylilies
Roses & Peonies

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"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck"
Cottage Rose Birds n' Blossoms

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Feb 8, 2010 10:19 AM CST
Name: Toni
Denver Metro (Zone 5a)
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.
Birds Garden Ideas: Master Level Salvias Garden Procrastinator Irises I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Charter ATP Member Xeriscape Region: Colorado Roses Cat Lover The WITWIT Badge
I ordered that Belle de Crecy from RU for this spring.. I'm so glad to know that she will do well in poor soil & in cold weather!! Smiling :) Smiling
Roses are one of my passions! Just opened, my Etsy shop (to fund my rose hobby)! http://www.etsy.com/shop/Tweet...
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Feb 8, 2010 9:57 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicky Thompson
Michigan (Zone 5b)
Sempervivums Roses Charter ATP Member Peonies Region: Michigan Lilies
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Farmer Cottage Gardener Enjoys or suffers cold winters Annuals Daylilies
Its Constance Spry that does well in poor soil, not Belle de Crecy.
"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck"
Cottage Rose Birds n' Blossoms

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Feb 8, 2010 11:08 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Zuzu
Northern California (Zone 9a)
Region: Ukraine Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Roses Clematis
Irises Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Garden Sages Plant Database Moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level
What a great thread. Your photos always knock me out, CR. I've avoided rugosas for a while because they're the roses that attracted the weevils here, but I broke down last year and bought Polareis -- all on the strength of your pictures of it. Gorgeous!
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Feb 9, 2010 2:44 AM CST
Moderator
Name: Suzanne/Sue
Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a)
Sunset Zone 15
Plant Database Moderator Region: California Cottage Gardener Garden Photography Roses Clematis
Daylilies Houseplants Foliage Fan Birds Butterflies Bee Lover
Just beautiful blooms, almost makes me want to do pinks again and I love that button center look on Konigin v. Danemark! Austin's Christopher Marlowe has that and I find it so charming.
My gardening Blog!
Handmade quilts, new & vintage fabrics in my Etsy store. Summer Song Cottage
Instagram Sewing posts
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Feb 9, 2010 10:53 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicky Thompson
Michigan (Zone 5b)
Sempervivums Roses Charter ATP Member Peonies Region: Michigan Lilies
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Farmer Cottage Gardener Enjoys or suffers cold winters Annuals Daylilies
Thanks Sue & Zuzu.
Zuzu, how has Polareis done for you?
"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck"
Cottage Rose Birds n' Blossoms

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Feb 11, 2010 5:43 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Zuzu
Northern California (Zone 9a)
Region: Ukraine Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Roses Clematis
Irises Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Garden Sages Plant Database Moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level
Sorry, CR, I never answered your question. I bought Polareis from Northland Rosarium last year and it was too small to do anything much that season, so I'll let you know how it's doing when it wakes up this year.
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Feb 11, 2010 6:39 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicky Thompson
Michigan (Zone 5b)
Sempervivums Roses Charter ATP Member Peonies Region: Michigan Lilies
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Farmer Cottage Gardener Enjoys or suffers cold winters Annuals Daylilies
Mine is from Suzy Verrier was a fast grower.
"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck"
Cottage Rose Birds n' Blossoms

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Feb 11, 2010 7:57 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Zuzu
Northern California (Zone 9a)
Region: Ukraine Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Roses Clematis
Irises Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Garden Sages Plant Database Moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level
I've heard that her roses are superb.
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May 8, 2010 11:36 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicky Thompson
Michigan (Zone 5b)
Sempervivums Roses Charter ATP Member Peonies Region: Michigan Lilies
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Farmer Cottage Gardener Enjoys or suffers cold winters Annuals Daylilies
So far I've had real good luck with Suzy's roses.
I got Lillian G. from her too.
I know Suzy's had some problems....
wonder if she's still selling roses??
"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck"
Cottage Rose Birds n' Blossoms

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May 8, 2010 4:06 PM CST
Name: Steve
Prescott, AZ (Zone 7b)
Irises Lilies Roses Region: Southwest Gardening
Vicky,

Thank you so much for this thread! I'd delighted to find another fan of Konigin von Danemarck (or however you want to spell Queen of Denmark) I am a fan of alba roses, and I found KvD to have the prettiest flowers and to make the prettiest shrub of the four that I grew in NJ. Never a spot of disease. And it tolerated terrible soil and considerable amount of drought. If it bloomed just a little bit more freely, or if it repeated reliably, there are moments when I could almost imagine having it as the only rose in my garden.

But then, your photos of Belle de Crecy and Polareis makes me lose all hope of seriously adopting that position.
When you dance with nature, try not to step on her toes.
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May 8, 2010 4:38 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Zuzu
Northern California (Zone 9a)
Region: Ukraine Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Roses Clematis
Irises Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Garden Sages Plant Database Moderator Garden Ideas: Master Level
Vicky, please add some photos to our database if you have time. You have so many gorgeous photographs.
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May 11, 2010 7:26 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Vicky Thompson
Michigan (Zone 5b)
Sempervivums Roses Charter ATP Member Peonies Region: Michigan Lilies
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Farmer Cottage Gardener Enjoys or suffers cold winters Annuals Daylilies
Steve...I do love my Albas!
I will try to start a thread on them when I have time.
BTW, Polareis is a repeat blooming Rugosa.

Likewise Zuzu will try to add some pics to the database
when I can. Thats could be a rainy day project for me.
Don't be afraid to nag at me if I forget.
I'm just so stinkin' busy.

Steve another fav Alba...
Felicitie Parmentier (sp??)

"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck"
Cottage Rose Birds n' Blossoms

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