Re: Variegated Roses?
- Subject: Re: Variegated Roses?
- From: C* P* L*
- Date: Fri, 25 May 2001 01:30:43 -0500
> I was talking about variegated rose leaves. Was thinking,
> if this occurred, it would make a rose bush attractive all
> season long -- not just when it was in bloom. It's just a
> thought....
Hi Diana,
You've hit on one of the reasons why I don't grow many roses
(except for several species roses and a 'William Baffin' that's
now winding up to my second story window).
I agree that variegation would be really nice... I wonder (and
it's not to put down the idea at all -- it's just idle speculation)
if we haven't seen any because the leaves couldn't tolerate the
sun usually needed for flower production, or if the leaves couldn't
produce enough energy for decent blooms.
The species roses that I grow and/or lust after are all multi-
seasonal.
For example, several of the R. rugosa hybrids have fruit, fall
color, and multiple bloom times [1]. Another species rose that's
more interesting for its colored foliage is R. glauca. It has deep
burgundy-green leaves with purplish veination and covered with a
slight bluish bloom (not the floriferous type of bloom -- I mean a waxy
"finish") [2].
One of my favorites is R. eglanteria. It doesn't look particularly
spectacular (although it does have nice blooms[3], good rose hips, and
tolerates shade quite well), but it has the most spectacular fragrance
IN ITS LEAVES. These leaves release small amounts of fragrant oil
from spring to summer and can sometimes be smelled as much as 50
yards away. I was lucky enough to procure a seedling when I worked
at the Morton Arboretum (we were weeding, and I couldn't bear to kill
the little guy). I gave that plant to my parents, and this year it
made its own little babies. Now I'll try growing one at my house. :)
I know this didn't really address the variegation issue, but I felt
compelled to share anyhow. :)
Chris
[1] http://www.hort.net/profiles/Jul98/
[2] http://www.country-lane.com/yr/glauca.htm
[3] http://www.h2net.net/p/cnetter/rose_tour/eglantine.html
http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?enlarge=9092+3191+3542+0072
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
