Article (magazine)  (Dec 2015)  Page(s) 19.  Includes photo(s).
 
Rosa spinosissima ’Plena’, “juhannusruusu”, ”the midsummer rose” Its origin is still obscure. ’Plena’ may originally have been an unnamed seedling that soon spread throughout Finland. In Sweden it is known as ”Finlands vitros”, and ”Finnish White” can be found in some English-language catalogues. This rose is fairly common in Sweden and Estonia, but in other countries it is rare or unknown. ”The midsummer rose” forms a very prickly, rather erect thicket to 1-1,5 metres, which tends to bow down with the sheer weight of blossoms. It flowers for about a fortnight from midsummer onwards. The flowers are loosely double, yellowish towards the centre; the golden stamens are well displayed. The scent is strong and sweet. In autumn the foliage assumes dark coppery and violet tints. A few round, black hips are formed.