A Walk on the Wild Side

A Walk on the Wild Side. . , Species roses, the ancestors of rose hybrids, are still used to breed new cultivars today., Species roses are the wild-growing ancestors of all modern hybrids. Some are almost unrecognizable when compared to the large, many-petaled roses seen today, which are the product of hundreds of years of selective breeding. Most species produce only five to eight petals per flower. Most bloom only once per season, but they produce heaping clusters of fragrant roses., Hundreds of different species roses are native to the Northern Hemisphere stretching from the Tropic of Cancer to the Arctic Circle. Among the most commonly seen is beach rose (Rosa rugosa), native to East Asia, which evolved to withstand harsh conditions amid coastal dunes., Rosa luciae, also native to Asia, was introduced to the United States in 1888 and was well-received for its disease resistance and rapid growth. Hybridizers in the northeastern United States began using this species to create climbing roses known as ramblers: large shrubs with pliable canes perfect for training onto walls, trellises, arches, and other garden architecture. 'Excelsa', 'Jersey Beauty', and 'Dorothy Perkins' are three varieties of antique American ramblers still popular today.