Class: Species

Cherokee Rose Photo © Barrie Collins (www.barriecollins.net) used with permission

Species, or "wild", roses adapted and survived without coddling by humans and therefore have developed according to their native habitat. Species roses reproduce true from seed, while hybrid species do not. These roses are vigorous, usually exhibit excellent disease resistance, and most bloom only once yearly. They make an excellent choice for naturalizing. These roses are supremely adapted to what nature intended, survival. Not to have one or two in the garden would be a mistake.

It is difficult to generalize about species roses according to flower and habit. Habit ranges from small ground-covers to shrubs to enormous climbers. Flowers tend to range from white to pink to dark red, though yellow can be found in some of the Far East varieties. Humans most often breed for qualities in roses which are attractive to us and not surprisingly, color, form, and quantity of bloom have often taken precedence over disease resistance. Although species roses have evolved naturally, this does not mean that every species rose is indigenous. Many roses found growing in the wild may have been introduced. The ''Cherokee Rose'' (photo above), State Flower of Georgia, is a native of China for example.
(-Adapted in part from Barrie Collins, Timeless Roses. Used with permission. www.barriecollins.net)

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