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Discussion id : 13-127 most recent 23 OCT 06 HIDE POSTS

Initial post 7 JUL 06 by Brenda

My husband grew up on Lopez Island in Washington State. His mother had a climbing rose called "Ruth Alexander." He is always talking about it and how much his mother loved it. I would really like to find him one for his upcoming 50th birthday. Can anyone help me? This was the first website that I actually found the rose really existed.	REPLY

Reply #1 of 12 posted 10 JUL 06 by Jody

Hi, I am in WA State and no one in my area has this rose. Have you considered as a last resort to contact the Univ of WA Horticulture Dept. This apparently was grown around Seattle in the 30's. Just a wild idea but maybe the UW would know something about it or of someone in Seattle who has one in the garden and would give you a start. otherwise maybe try a Canadian Nursery or Breeder? Good Luck	REPLY

Reply #2 of 12 posted 10 JUL 06 by Jody

Brenda, Hi I had another wild idea. try e mailing Ciscoe Morris. He is a local gardening celebrity. He worked as a gardener at a Seattle college for many years. He's retired but he has a popular radio and TV show Gardening with Ciscoe. He may know something about this rose. www.ciscoe.com Jody	REPLY

Reply #3 of 12 posted 12 JUL 06 by Brenda

Dear Jody,

Thank you for that lead. I have e-mailed Ciscoe and hopefully he will have some leads. I am going to try to get a hold of Furneys and a few other nurseries. I did e-mail the nursery near the old farm on Lopez. HOPEFULLY, somewhere I can make a connection. It would be so awesome to find one that I could propogate and end up with plants for my husband's brothers. They are all very fond of their mother. Thank you for your help.

Reply #4 of 12 posted 12 JUL 06 by Jody

You are most welcome, I hope Ciscoe can help you. If not you might try Heronswood Nursery in Kingston, WA. They recently closed to the public but available on line. They do not list this rose but someone who works there there might know of it. They are listed under Nurseries on this site.. Please let us know if you find it. Jody	REPLY

Reply #5 of 12 posted 12 JUL 06 by Brenda

Thank you again Jody. I spoke with and have e-mailed with the Christenson's at Christianson Nursery in Mount Vernon. Very helpful. There is one located at the business next door to theirs. I MIGHT be able to get some cuttings. The rose is very hard to propogate and it is only a single bloomer - so the market doesn't support it well enough. Once you get it to root, it is very hardy. I am going to link up with the lead they gave me and see what happens. They also said there is another one at the Northwest Ballet in Anacortes. The rose was created and named for a local woman in the Puget Sound - named Ruth Alexander. So it is a very local rose. Apparently, it was on the combined rose list until about 5-6 years ago. I am trying to follow up on that lead also. I will keep you posted.

Thanks again!

Reply #6 of 12 posted 4 AUG 06 by Brenda

Jody I found it! Dear Auntie Sis has one that my husband's mother had started for her years ago on the island! NOW, I totally understand why my husband has such a vivid memory of this rose! It is not only beautiful - the fragrance is spectacular! She is going to try to propogate one for me. If anyone can do it - she can. I am so excited! I took pictures as well. Thank you!	REPLY

Reply #7 of 12 posted 5 AUG 06 by Jody

Hi Brenda, I am so glad you found it. Thanks for letting me know. If you get a chance please post your photo on the site. I'd love to see it. Again, that's great!!!!! Jody	REPLY

Reply #8 of 12 posted 7 AUG 06 by Brenda

Hi Jody, I will try to post it. Not sure if I will be able to get them to upload this time or not. I will give it another shot though:) Brenda	REPLY

Reply #9 of 12 posted 8 AUG 06 by Jody

Brenda, Hi.. Thanks for posting the great pix. I am really glad you found it. It is such a pretty rose. Thanks again for letting me know. Jody	REPLY

Reply #10 of 12 posted 22 OCT 06 by Martina Hauge

I just found a place that sells this beauty (and ordered two of them). Vintage Gardens in Sebastapol, California. I think the website is www.vintagegardens.com Martina	REPLY

Reply #11 of 12 posted 23 OCT 06 by Brenda Lee

Hello Martina, Do you know what name they are using? I tried putting in Ruth Alexander and it is not there. ANY help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Brneda Lee	REPLY

Reply #12 of 12 posted 23 OCT 06 by HMF supporting member

HMF Admin

Brenda,

We're not sure why you could not find the rose 'Ruth Alexander' on our website. We were able call it up without a problem. Maybe you could provide some details on how you attempted to look it up so we may track down the problem.

Anyway, you'll find it HERE. We've updated the "Buy From" list to include Vintage Gardens and as you can see they are highly recommended by HMF site guests. We are honored to have them as one of our long time sponsors.