In 1999, Northern Hybrid Roses expanded to a new location in zone 5*. From previous genetic stock, six plants were selected for further observation. They all have little or no disease, are very floriferous, vigorous growers and flower recurrently; some are perfumed. Large double flowers, about 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 centimeters) in diameter range in color from pink to peach, mostly with soft yellow centers. Plant height varies from 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 meters) and up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in width. Two or three of the bushes set hips which mature to red or orange-red in autumn. All six bushes required a full three-years' growth before reaching full-flowering.
Results for 1999
The 1999 crossing year produced about 2,500 seedlings of which 250 were planted in the nursery for closer observation. In the summer of 2001 this number was reduced to 150 and will be culled further to about 20 plants. These hardy to semi-hardy plants will probably withstand temperatures in zones 3 to 5 but further testing is needed to verify this. Disease tolerance ranges from very good to medium. All bushes selected have beautiful flower form with a petal count of 12 to 120. Flower buds are often exquisitely shaped approaching the conventional floribunda or tea shape rose. We were pleasantly surprised to discover that some are highly perfumed, while others are bi-color. One in particular resembles ‘Austrian Copper’ and elicited an excited "must have" from a visiting rosarian. These young rose bushes have shown different degrees of winter hardiness, and resistance to mildew and black spot, with an array of color (red, peach, salmon, coral, cream and white). We have one resembling the famous ‘Peace’ rose in color and form while another reflects the splendor of an Austin rose - pale peach in color with a soft yellow eye and ruffled petals. The cupped blossom fades to a soft pale pink. Standing head and shoulders above the others is a lovely many petaled red rose about 4 inches (10 centimeters) in diameter.
Results for 2000
Most of the year 2000 seedling collection is still small, but several have flowered and a single orange-red winter-hardy mini has emerged. Another bush has the mini form but is covered in large single cushion-type blooms. We feel we are just one generation away from a true hardy marketable mini. Other crosses from the year 2000 produced some surprising and unexpected results. Since the inception of Northern Hybrid Roses, one of the wished for but not expressed goals was to develop a deep burgundy winter-hardy rose similar to the miniature rose ‘Black Jade’. We were about to undertake the necessary crossing work this summer when early one morning, a little burgundy colored rose with velvet textured petals and bright yellow stamens stared up at us from among the year 2000 crosses. The canes of this plant have 4 to 5 buds per stem with about 9 to 10 ruffled petals per flower. Although the flower is quite attractive, it may require more form and we are already hard at work on this aspect. At the very least this plant will make an excellent male and/or female parent and has a unique color compared with other hardies. Another cross from the same group has developed a mini-tea-type rose about one inch in diameter atop two foot canes with about 20 buds per cane. The flowers are a light burgundy with about 20 to 25 petals. We can tell you, however, that both plants are hardy in zone 5. Most of the other seedlings from the year 2000 have yet to flower and at this time we are hoping to be rewarded with a very hardy yellow rose.
Results for 2001
The crosses from the year 2001 are beginning to flower and we are already selecting from this group. A number of promising OGRs and other types of roses were identified from the 2001 crosses. One OGR has lovely elongated buds which when the sepals gave way, revealed outer petals with a medium red stripe the length of the mid vein. The unfurling upright petals are a soft apricot which fade to light pink. The plant is covered with blooms at the end of June and most of July with flowering continuing into September. This rose has excellent resistance to black spot without sprays. Another interesting finding was a vermillion colored flower with a yellow center which gives the flower a sun glow appearance. An encouraging finding was a very hardy spinosissima with pink outer petals and a large yellow center. Although the rose only flowers for a short time it will be backcrossed with a recurrent flowering rose to recover repeat blooming. Further, we have discovered a burgundy colored rose similar to the one described under Results for 1999 only it has much more resistance to black spot and the bush has a much nicer form.
Results for 2002
The only selection made from these crosses is an ash-peach colored rose with partial spinosissima parentage. This color is unique and although this plant only flowers for a short period of time it will be backcrossed to recover recurrent flowering. Perhaps the limited selection for this year is due to the many beautiful roses we have to date and we are becoming increasingly selective. At any rate we will continue to observe these roses for other desirable crosses.
Results for 2003
Unfortunately and for reasons beyond our control, all seedlings were lost. However many of the crosses made in 2003 were repeated in 2004.
Results for 2004
A small number of plants from crossing a spinossissima with a very hardy rose were selected for their no tip kill canes, flower color (ecru and pinks) and excellent resistance to black spot and mildew. All will be backcrossed with one of our newly developed line (02-99) which is also extremely hardy (no dieback) and has excellent disease resistance in order to recover recurrent flowering and hopefully increase the petal number. The progeny should require little or no care, resist winters in Canadian hardiness zone 3 (USDA zone 2) and be well adapted to the current climate change.
Results for 2005
The plants are quite small and there has been no flowering to date.
*There seems to be a rough equivalency between Canadian and USDA plant hardiness zones based on information given in http://www.backyardgardener.com