An article snippet about my home state, South Dakota:
""The following lists are made with no attempt at classification so far as botanical relationships are concerned. They contain representatives of many species which are of little importance to the ma_jority of readers of the Rose Annual. "In the hardiest group which have not winter-killed are the following : Rosa rubrifolia, Hansa, Persian Yellow, Tetonkaha, Belle Poitevine, R. rugosa, R. rugof';a alba, Betty Bland and probably Roseraie de l'Hay and R. laxa. "In the second hardiest group, which while they kill down considerably, yet practically always give good bloom, are : Sir Thomas. Lipton, F. J. Grootendorst, Universal Favorite, Illinois, R. hugonis, Amelie Gravereaux, Conrad Ferdinand Meyer, and probably Sarah Van Fleet and Dr. E. M. Mills."
Dr. E. M. Mills is approaching his first anniversary in my "garden". He produced thirteen blooms on the small plant this spring, then sat for MANY weeks, appearing not to be doing much other than possibly forming a root system. He suddenly began exploding into much growth. There are many new "laterals" along the older wood with two basal shoots exceeding two and a half feet in length. Yes, he is chlorotic, which is to be expected with the high heat and continual watering, even with feeding. I just noticed there is a flower bud on a new lateral from some of the original growth! I've not discovered anything about whether or not "repeat" bloom should be expected. Now, it has me wondering (and hoping!). Three photos to illustrate this comment are posted in the "Photos" section on this date.
The healthiest rose in my garden is Tom's rugosa x xanthia seedling, which he said was marginally pollen fertile. They certainly are a novel source of genes!
Kim, have you ever tried one of these yellows x a mauve rose?
Hi Jakub, do you mean like Blue for You X R. Primula; Blue for You X Dr. Mills; Blue for You X 1-72-1 Hugonis and Lilac Charm X 1-72-1 Hugonis? Yes, they're still refrigerated. I shouldn't plant for a few more months yet. By the way, Dr. Mills threw two more flowers today. I'll post the photos when I'm finished cleaning seeds.
The confusion over its parentage is due to the conflicting reports in the ARS annuals. Initially, it said the other parent was Radiance, which is more interesting to me, but the performance and appearance of the rose point more toward the other possibility. I continue exploring what might result from the first indicated type breeding, though.
Yes, that's precisely what happened and why it took so many years to find it and bring it home. Unforunately, it will happen again with this rose, and MANY others.
There was an ARS article I remember reading as a teen. It was about a breeder from Asia, who used either xanthina and hugonsis (both?) with moderns, and then recorded the results. I think one set was with Queen Elizabeth. I cannot recall more. That was a long time ago.
In regards to the ID of this rose, both rugosa and hugonis or xanthina (being safe, as they can get mixed) set pre-hips behind their blooms, just like Dr. EM Mills. So that rare type of ID cannot even be used in this case. Bummer.
