'Ruth Alexander' rose reviews and comments

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'Ruth Alexander' rose Reviews & Comments

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Discussion id : 150-775 most recent 2 OCT 23 SHOW ALL

Initial post 10 SEP 23 by Kimm2381

I know this thread is incredibly old, but I am in Skagit county Washington, and after 8 years trying many methods... I finally found one that works to get rooted cuttings from the Ruth Alexander. I'll be working on getting multiple cuttings rooted and verifying they grow true before offering them for sale. I will be willing to mail dormant bare root or do local pickup of potted plants	REPLY

Reply #1 of 2 posted 10 SEP 23 by HMF supporting member

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Reply #2 of 2 posted 2 OCT 23 by ckrub

Oh my! I have been looking for Ruth Alexander for 30 some years. My great grandmother had a huge hedge of RA at therir cabin on Utsalady, Camano Island. I live S. Lake Samish and would love a start if you have some to spare.	REPLY

Discussion id : 27-308 most recent 15 JUL 12 SHOW ALL

Initial post 11 JUN 08 by IvyLou

It sounds as if this is a favorite for Pacific NW people who remember their childhood. I, too have been looking for this rose...to give to my sisters to honor our Mom. The climber lived in a bed outside the window at the end of our living room in Shoreline area. It framed the view every spring. None of us could even find reference to it in a nursery nor on-line until I found this website. I will be looking for clippings either near Mt. Vernon, WA or Portland, OR. I feel as if I have found a long-lost childhood friend today!

Reply #1 of 4 posted 13 MAR 09 by Unregistered Guest

After years of looking I have found a commercial source - Heritage Roses. They will create a custom root plant for you but it's not cheap - $45. It's my very favorite rose from my childhood and IMHO, well worth it. See: http://www.vintagegardens.com/roses.aspx?cat_id=22	REPLY

Reply #2 of 4 posted 14 MAR 09 by Richard Serr

Make that Vintage Gardens - in California. Here is their reply to my query ...

Dear Richard,
We do offer Ruth Alexander but are out of stock at the moment. We do have a bit of trouble in propagation on that variety, they just don’t seem to want to take on their own roots. We may have more in the fall and you are welcome to check back in September to check the status. We are not accepting custom orders presently and do not keep a waiting list.
Thank you,
Gita Phy

They confirm my understanding that it's difficult to propagate this rose from cuttings. My mother has tried without success. It's probably another one of the reasons it has become so rare.

Reply #3 of 4 posted 28 MAR 09 by Richard Serr

The latest from Vintage Gardens ...

I’m very sorry to report that we lost our mother plant over this past winter. It took several years to obtain cuttings of it, and it had grown to a rather nice container specimen. I did take a number of cuttings last summer, but none rooted. It has always been a difficult subject to propagate. I’ll begin my search again for cuttings this summer.

Cheers,
Gregg Lowery
Vintage Gardens

Reply #4 of 4 posted 15 JUL 12 by JellyBellyJeide

Hello Mr. Lowery, I'm sorry to read your post! Do you expect to have an upcoming availability of the Ruth Alexander rose? I understand I can place a custom root order, but after reading your message, I am hoping to hear you've had success in locating cuttings! Sorry for the loss of the mother plant. Kathy	REPLY

Discussion id : 4-042 most recent 25 JUN 12 SHOW ALL

Initial post 25 FEB 04 by Unregistered Guest

I have two Ruth Alexander climbers growing in our back yard in the Magnolia community of Seattle. They were planted in 1938 when the home in which we currently live was built. It is growing from its own root stock and is very hardy. I've been looking for verification of the name of this rose for 30 years. It is the first harbinger of Spring. Thanks so much!

Anyone who wants to slip it may contact me.

Reply #1 of 10 posted 13 FEB 05 by ckrub

I live in north Seattle and would love to arrange to come by and get 2 cuttings, if possible. One for me and one for my sister. This was our great-grandma's favorite rose and we have been looking for it forever. Please email me (reply) if you are still offering cuttings. Thanks!	REPLY

Reply #2 of 10 posted 13 FEB 05 by ckrub

I live in north Seattle and would love to arrange to come by and get 2 cuttings, if possible. One for me and one for my sister. This was our great-grandma's favorite rose and we have been looking for it forever. Please email me (reply) if you are still offering cuttings. Thanks!	REPLY

Reply #3 of 10 posted 23 MAY 06 by Unregistered Guest

Dear Priscilla, I have been looking for the Ruth Alexander rose for over 50 years and I am excited that you have it and that you are willing to share. I have never slipped a rose but I will read up on it and contact you. Mary Ann Tobia	REPLY

Reply #4 of 10 posted 5 JUN 07 by Ellie Mae

We had one in our yard growing up, and mother loved it. I'm travelling to the midwest to see her for her birthday soon, and would love to give her a slip of it. I'm in Snohomish, and would come to Seattle. Please reply. Ellie Mae	REPLY

Reply #5 of 10 posted 5 JUN 07 by Unregistered Guest

Ellie Mae, Hi just want to say it is interesting that you are in Snohomish.. I am too. Have you been to the Antique Rose Farm? Love their roses, but not their prices. Have a good trip Jody	REPLY

Reply #6 of 10 posted 11 JUN 08 by Unregistered Guest

My father has been looking for a Ruth Alexander rose for YEARS. We had one growing in our yard when I was little and he has never forgotten it. They are wonderful! Unfortunately the homeowners pulled it out and got rid of it, so we couldn't go back and ask for a cutting. Is there any chance that you are still letting people come take a bit from you? That would make him so happy!!!
Thanks for your time,
Laurie Russell

Reply #7 of 10 posted 27 MAY 11 by anonymous-750833

I am on Bainbridge and Would LOVE to take a couple clippings. Is there any way you still monitor this thread and would be willing to let me have a few? My grandmother had this rose in Mount Vernon, and we loved it dearly.	REPLY

Reply #8 of 10 posted 25 JUN 12 by KikiCollins

Not sure if anyone still reads this or will get notifications, but I have a Ruth Alexander in Mt Vernon, WA. I think some of you may be my relatives! (I'm looking at you, Miss Bainbridge! :D )
We are moving from the house next month and I plan to take as many cuttings as I possibly can from the rose, and you are welcome to as well!
I've never taken cuttings from a rose before, so I'm going to do as many as I can to maximize the chance of them taking. If all goes well I may have a lot of extra starts available.
My email is xxxxxxxxxx, let me know if you'd like to come and take some cuttings!

[HMF editor - Please do not include email addresses in your HMF messages - it's not necessary]

Reply #9 of 10 posted 25 JUN 12 by HMF supporting member

Jay-Jay

If You want to root cuttings, this article from Kim Rupert might help You: http://pushingtheroseenvelope.blogspot.nl/2011/05/wrapping-cuttings.html Good luck!	REPLY

Discussion id : 4-270 most recent 17 SEP 10 SHOW ALL

Initial post 25 FEB 04 by Unregistered Guest

I am delighted to confirm the name of this rose after trying for at least 30 years. I have a 1938 healthy one in my backyard here in the Magnolia community of Seattle and would be happy to have anyone take cuttings from it . It's the first rose to bloom in the Spring; the color is glorious and the smell heavenly. It has died back to the ground at least once and come all the way back to its current width of approximately 20 feet. I wish someone would grow it commercially again!

Reply #1 of 4 posted 21 MAR 10 by anonymous-383858

Reply #2 of 4 posted 20 JUN 10 by Unregistered Guest

Greetings,

Nine years ago I took two cuttings from the Ruth Alexander in my grandmother's garden, stuck it in the ground over the winter and hoped it would take root. It did, but it languished in the wrong location for about five years until I thought I had found the right place. Moved to another spot and it still persisted for the next three years. In February of this year I dug up the sad little slip of a rose and placed it in a large pot with good soil and lots of compost, and placed it in a sunny location. It has grown like crazy, actually looks like a real climbing rose, and has five flower buds, one now ready to bloom any day now! I am so excited! I would be happy to start a slip for you as I plan to do so for my sisters anyway. I found your query in a google search for more info on the rose. My grandmother obtained it through her garden club in north Seattle sometime in the early 50's I think. Hers was very robust.
When it blooms I will post a photo on my blog: http://backyardnotes.wordpress.com/

Reply #3 of 4 posted 16 AUG 10 by holypiper

I would be delighted if you started a slip for me. I have inquired of Canada Customs and Agriculture Restrictions and it can be shipped across the border into Canada. I would need to obtain a permit but it can be done. I'll try to keep in touch. I found your response only today as I haven't accessed this web site in a while.	REPLY

Reply #4 of 4 posted 17 SEP 10 by Unregistered Guest

Sorry for the delayed response. We were traveling in August and life goes on. The rose did bloom but it was a light pink, so may want to wait for one more bloom cycle. I can surely start a slip and see what happens. Feel free to contact me directly: gretchen84@comcast.net	REPLY