This lovely species rose has a special place in my garden and in my heart. I've grown it for over 20 years and each year it becomes lovelier. Rosa hugonis was originally collected in West China, by the missionary Hugh Scanlon (known as Pater Hugo) who, in 1899, sent seed to Kew Gardens in England where the original plants still thrive.
The canes can attain a length of 6' - 8' in a single season and the long very thorny canes dip gracefully, loaded with pale butter yellow, slightly cupped 5 petalled blooms. Each flower is about 2.5 inches across and lasts about 4-5 days depending on the weather. The flowers erupt all along the canes and usually bloom well before anything else in my garden. The blooms are followed by small maroon-colored hips.
The foliage is typical of the variety and is very dainty, pale green, fern-like and healthy with no disease. It is also very winter hardy without protection in my Zone 5 garden. It only receives about 4 hours of direct sunlight and it remains healthy and steadily growing, putting out new canes each season. In the fall, the foliage can become bronzed. Most experts agree that a plant on its own roots is preferred to one that is budded.
This lovely rose can be found at specialty nurseries that feature the old garden roses, rare and unusual roses, and species roses. It is worth looking for - there are many on-line nurseries that carry it.
This one really is carefree!
