I have a question - I'm planning to order R. primula. I've read that people think the strain/clone sold by Hortico is more fragrant than from Pickering, but I would like own-root so I don't want to order from Hortico.

Does anyone have an opinion whether the strain/clone from Greenmantle is more or less fragrant than the one from Pickering?

Or is there any other source that anyone thinks is particularly fragrant?

Thanks!

SG

You can alway buy Hortico's and root it yourself :-)

I guess I'll go ahead and order from Greenmantle, that way there's no question.

Best,
SG

Q: What rootstock do you use and why does it matter?

A: We bud the majority of our roses on R. multiflora and the gallicas, damasks and some odds & ends on R. laxa. All our understock is grown from seed, thus making it virus free and less likely to produce suckers/ wild shoots. Rosa multiflora is commonly used as an understock in colder climates and is gaining in popularity in Europe. Rosa laxa is used for the noted types because it makes a stronger union at the graft and is more resistant to wind damage when the plants are immature. It is also a commonly used rootstock in Europe. The type of rootstock used is very important. Rosa multiflora is able to grow well throughout most of the northern hemisphere and survive our winters while some of the rootstocks used in southern areas are less likely to survive the winter. Also rootstock propagated from cuttings is more likely to produce suckers/ wild shoots and transmit virus. *In some states Rosa multiflora is considered a noxious weed. This has no relation to its use as an understock for garden roses.

But I guess it is safer to assume they are still shipping grafted, until they officially say otherwise in writing.

Thanks though!

Melissa

Jackie (I think, from CA) said hers is huge, that she planted it deep. So I have one in a 15 gallon tub, one in the ground--both planted with good purchased potting soil, covering the graft.

Looking good so far--nice new canes, fragrant, ferny, leaves. I haven't noticed the leaf scent as strongly this season but the dryness has really been extreme this year.

I love this rose & really want to keep it alive. I also have a standing order with Greenmantle for an own-root plant. But I was told, "it's a bear to root" & to expect to wait at least a couple of years.

I've never had any luck rooting it--under mist, air layering, trying in different seasons--nada. When you get it, try budding it--I believe Kim has had success with that. I'm going to whip in some buds, too, as soon as my root stock is ready. It's the surest way I know to preserve roses--so much faster & reliable than trying to root hard-to-root things like this one.