Island Pearl

12 years ago

I purchased this own-root rose from Bowen Island, before the wonderful rose people there retired. I was looking for a Rambling Rector, but bought this and am amazed. It has a slightly less violent growth habit than Rector, is completely disease resistant, and is totally covered in pink/pearly coloured clusters of flowers.... sadly, only once in the season. But it is really wonderful, and I wonder if anybody else out there has one?

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Ken Carter

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Yes, I have the Island Pearl Rose. I moved to Vancouver Island two years ago and I went to the Anderton Garden Centre. Immediately behind they have the Anderton Therapeutic Gardens (free admission) in Courtenay. I noticed this gorgeous White Rambler with slight pink accents and so I asked about the history and if there was any chance of obtaining a plant. The people there said, unfortunately, the elderly couple who propagated this rose, lived on Bowen Island and had shut their nursery down and disappeared into thin air. So, I got on the internet and I found one located in Parksville a 45-minute drive south of Courtenay where I live. I paid $25 for the plant which did not look too healthy and I took it home. This year, I built a trellace and cemented it into the ground. My Cedars are ten ft. high and so I placed it in a south facing aspect and the photos are what I got this first year out of the pot....... I am amazed and I will share cuttings of it with anyone with the knowledge as to how to graft this type of Rose correctly. You will need some root stock but I would love others on Vancouver Island to benefit from this gorgeous rambler, but watch out. I hope you have a big yard as it will grow 15 ft in a year so you will need to keep it in check.

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Comments (7)

phil_schorr
12 years ago
I tried several times to get in touch with them to find out more about them. I could never get them to respond, either by email or phone. My main question was the genetic background of their Island series. Do they have hybrid multiflora or hybrid wichurana in their backgrounds? Does anyone know, or can anyone get in touch with them to ask?
westgate
Original Author
12 years ago
As far as I know, they have retired.... don't know if someone else has the business. I found them easy to contact and was really happy with their service..... perhaps you have tried to contact them since they retired.... it is too bad they are gone! I tried to propagate Island pearl from cuttings.... in a very slap happy fashion, and so far one is all that is left!
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bmiceli
10 years ago
I know this is an older post, but thought I would respond anyway. I just bought an Island Pearl Rose from Milner Gardens. They have an ongoing plant sale of unique, high-quality plants.

Here is a link that might be useful: Milner Gardens
robin rose
6 years ago
Hi Ken I would love to get a cutting of this rose from you. I have some roses I have rooted that I could trade. I live in Victoria, do you ever come down here? I may be going to Parksville on the weekend, or coming to Courtenay sometime over the summer.

Robin
Ken Carter
6 years ago
Absolutely! I am not coming to Victoria in the near future but if you are up here, you are more than welcome to pop by and take some cuttings. I actually have never taken cuttings before and would love to learn how to do it so, if you know how, I would benefit from that information. I would also love to trade these for other types of roses. I just arrived on the island from Calgary two years ago and so my yard is still a work in progress. Next year, I am putting in a rose bed in my back yard dedicated only to roses. Make a note of my number 250 871-7414 and when you are on the way up, let me know. I am off fishing to Nootka Sound Later this month until August 1 then away fishing again Aug 3 until Aug 6, but apart from those dates, I will be here. Thanks for the heads up and the offer.
Ken Carter
6 years ago
my direct emails are kgcarter@me.com, kgcarter@shaw.ca or kencarterretired@gmail.com