The mops of the roses. No neck and a round face encircled by wrinkles made of petals. Growth just as compact, and stamina of rebloom stunted as its curious tail. Vigour as dependent on feed as the mops on a good veterinarian.

When you have tried every supposedly hardy type of rose there is and still they die, previous filtered out options become the new options. Where I come from, rugosa roses and rugosa hybrids were a staple of public greeneries. And since those public plantings were almost always equated with dullness, mediocrity and boredom, rugosas were off limits. However, the scent of roses is to a garden what spices are to a well prepared dish; it contributes to making the composition delicious and sensuous. So, fixed positions wither as reality yet again pulls down the curtain to an envisaged scene. Enter rugosas. I am grateful for not giving up and now being greeted by the sweet wafts of scent from 'Pink Roadrunner' (terrible name) every morning on my rounds of observation and fascination. As the clouds over the world turn darker, that scent I will remember.

A truly great rose. For years, five siblings of Northern Yellow were toughing it out in pots while the garden was being shaped. Protection in winter was nowhere to be seen. Winters and springs are anything but forgiving. Yet, Northern Yellow persists and thrives, brightening up wet and/or cold summers with its semi-double, light yellow flowers with their elegant, strong scent (!). Never sick, beautiful leaves, and good repeat until the frosts provided there are adequate nutrients available. Given how compact it is, and all the other qualities it has (incl. petals dropping of cleanly), I think this one would make a great rose for mass planting.

This has turned out to be a very good rose in my USDA 5b location with very harsh winter weather. Squeaky clean, strong musk scent, flowers from midsummer onwards, beautiful hips. Leaves too are beautiful. Stays a rather nice bush size of 150 cm, with overhanging canes. Insects fight for the easily accessible nectar. For those who are engaged in hybridizing roses for colder climates, this ought to be a winner.