Origin is unknown. Why? According to Sean Jennett, Sam McGredy (in References) "Grandfather bred it from the' Austrian Copper', and this is an interesting series to follow through."
One of the most important roses genetically in modern rose history and we don't have a clue what its bred from. I imagine its from a R. foetida bicolor hybrid rather than R. foetida becolor itself, but there is no way to prove this without the plant itself and something to test it genetically. So, it is what it is, and stays as its stated in written history. Sucks, but that's how it is I guess.
'Fiesta' from 1940 is supposed to be a sport of 'The Queen Alexandra' and might still be available since there are relatively recent photos here. Whether it is the correct variety or not is another matter.
It would be a shame if it really was true. Wasn't he the one who almost trow away a rose his wife liked, which became the most popular of his creations? In that case, I might not trust his judgment, lol
No, that was Sam the third with 'Mrs. Sam McGredy' 1929. Interestingly 'The Queen Alexandra Rose' was in its parentage. So - scruffy or not - it seems 'The Queen Alexandra Rose' carries genes to produce superb roses.
One might contact Nursery De Bierkreek. They are in constant contact with this garden and already multiplied lots of its treasures! (see: http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=21.138355)
I wanted to order form Bierkreek for a long time, they have Lens hybrids lost in N America and some of Kim Rupert's best hybrids. However, importing is a pain...
I know, but at least this rose would then be propagated, planted on several locations (in Europe) and not get lost. If one would like to import this particular-one, it might be an idea to share the costs with other interested rose-lovers/nurseries.
Fiesta is the striped sport of The Queen Alexandra Rose and has been commercially available in the US in recent memory. It REQUIRES budding, particularly in difficult conditions. Even on vigorous roots, by Twenty-First Century standards, it is NOT a "good garden rose". Viewed through eyes of its time, it (Queen Alexandra) was quite the break through. Just as early television was in its place in history. But I doubt many, if any of us, would want to go back to watching one of the original types today compared to what is so easily available. The same with earlier roses. They CAN be beautiful and they may figure into more modern types, but they are seldom great in their own rights.
The effort and expense may be worth it for someone, but not for me. In the "good old days" when the process worked as it was designed to work, it was fun and interesting. And, it cost a WHOLE LOT LESS than it does today. Perhaps if you were importing a large collection and your point of entry wasn't a high security entry point so you could be allowed to walk your packages through the process, the costs per plant would be acceptable. Here, that wasn't the case. For a maximum of ten plants, all from the same originating nursery, the fees alone, just to get them through my point of entry, would have run nearly four times the cost of the plants and shipping.
Welcome to post NSA America. BTW, you may want to edit your expletive. The lion's share of fees are the overtime wages you must pay a USDA employee to walk your parcel through the process. Being in New York, I doubt your entry point would be any less busy or high security than mine (LAX). IF the red tape prevents the next waves of terrible pathogens and pests, it will be worth it. Reportedly, the Asian Citrus Psyllid which can kill citrus trees through Citrus Greening, hitched a ride on smuggled citrus one CA hobbyist simply would not live without. Thanks to him, the US citrus industry now has one more potentially lethal threat.
:/ Sucks. I guess you could, like embedd budwood or seeds in a book jacket (I remember a Latvian who snuck bulbs that to trick Soviet customs in copies of Das Kapital) or hide it in a meaty sandwich. But imagine- someone gets arrested "grand mal" for trying to smuggle a few cm^2 of live plant matter or seeds...
Found his website: http://rarebulbs.lv/index.php/en/catalogue.
#1) It is likely extinct #2) Taking emotions OUT, it deserves to be #3) If by SOME minor chance it IS alive in Italy then it would take so much covert effort to get it "back" to the US the effort and the $$ is not worth it
The Queen Alexandra Rose, there is a colour photo of this rose in The Rose Annual 1920, ((Royal) National Rose Society) and a description in the 1918 issue.
