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"Forest Ranch Pom-Pom" rose Description
Photo courtesy of Jeri & Clay Jennings' Garden
ARS:
Mauve or mauve blend Hybrid Perpetual.
Class:
Found Rose, Damask Perpetual, Hybrid Perpetual.
Bloom:
Purple. Strong, damask fragrance. Average diameter 3.5". Medium-large, full (26-40 petals), flat, quartered bloom form. Occasional repeat later in the season.
Habit:
Arching, spreading, suckers on its own roots, well-branched. Large, semi-glossy, dark green foliage.
Height: 3' (90cm).
Growing:
USDA zone 6b through 9b (default). Heat tolerant. Disease susceptibility: very disease resistant.
Patents:
Patent status unknown (to HelpMeFind).
Notes:
"Forest Ranch Pom-Pom" was found by Sherri Berglund at the ruins of a 19th-Century home near Chico, in Northern California. A gracefully arching disease-resistant plant, it blooms generously in the spring, and repeats well in the Fall. Large, full, distinctly purple blooms are framed by large, mid-green foliage, dependably-free of rust and powdery mildew.1.
General John Bidwell
The site from which this intriguing rose was recovered is associated with John Bidwell, an important, rather enigmatic figure in California history.
In his adventurous early 20's Bidwell led wagon trains West. Among the earliest of California's Anglo-American settlers, he was an associate of Johann Sutter. He profited early from the Gold Rush, and was a leader of the "Bear Flag Rebellion," which separated California from Mexico.
With his rough-and tumble youth behind him, Bidwell built an ostentatious Northern California mansion, and established one of the state's earliest and largest nurseries. His "Rancho Chico," famed for its use of shade, lumber, and fruit trees (many of these remain), also offered roses, and other garden flowers.
A 'Green Rose,' an unusual persimmon, and an heirloom apple, are among interesting survivors found at the site which yielded this rose. All may have been part of Bidwell's nursery stock-in-trade.
The presence of this rose on property associated with an important early nursery (and a second discovery at the site of an early Dairy Farm) suggest that "Forest Ranch Pom-Pom" was a known cultivar, probably in commerce.
Whether this lovely rose ever wore a "true" name - or not - whether the name (if it existed) is ever discovered - or not - "Forest Ranch Pom-Pom" offers much to the gardener, the lover of roses, and the student of history.
"Forest Ranch Pom-Pom" can be visited at the Sacramento City Cemetery's Heritage Rose Garden. It is available in limited numbers from Sherri Berglund's B&B Nursery, in Willows, California
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