California, United States - ( Zone: 8a )

Though I have been gardening for many years, only began growing roses in earnest around 1994. In about 1997 I began growing roses from OP seed... My thinking was that, because the stamens on roses tend to curl towards the pistils when the pollen ripens, most of my roses that set seed were might actually be self-pollinating. Maybe recessive traits would manifest... Right or wrong, I thought it would be amusing to grow OP or self-pollinated roses just to see what comes up... After all, some remarkable roses in commerce and in history were "found" or OP roses.

My first plants were from OP hips of 'Climbing 4th of July'. My seedlings ranged from exquisite red on dark red stripes to palest pink on white to solid colors ranging from pink to wine red with black edges. The plant form ranged from shrub to climbing and all were repeat bloomers or continuous bloomers. I was hooked.

I've since grown many other roses from seed. My favorite seedlings are from 'Cl. Westerland', 'Compassion', 'Erfurt', 'Bobbie James' and 'Darlow's Enigma'. I had some lovely variegated seedlings from 'Verschuren'... These were variegated in foliage, not in the petal.

Anyhow... That's it.

Very experienced (48 years)

Author, Breeder, Photographer, Society member, Rustler

Last visit: Sunday, November 24th