Book  (1958)  Page(s) 155.  
 
Hercules. LR. (Horvath; int. Wayside Gardens Co., '38.) Doubloons X Charles P. Kilham. Very large, dbl., cupped, slightly fragrant. Dame Edith Helen pink; long stem. Fol. large, glossy, dark. Very vig. cl.; profuse bloom. (28) Pl. Pat. 296 (expired).

Website/Catalog  (1948)  Page(s) 102.  
 
Hercules (U.S. Plant Patent No. 296) Giant Deep Pink Climber Rosa Setigera Hybrid by Horvath. Color of Flower: Clear, deep rose-pink of same shade as Dame Edith Helen. The flowers are huge, fully 5 to 6 inches across when fully open. Slow in opening , lasting a long time. The flowers though large, are refined and equal the finest Hybrid Tea Rose. Flowers are produced abundantly on spur branches both on main stalk and laterals, 1 to 2 feet long. They are stiff and bear their heavy load without bending. Flowers do not droop, having a very stiff neck, have from 50 to 55 petals. The appearance of this plant is one of noble ruggedness. Without a doubt the finest pink large-flowered climber to date. Foliage: The rich, shining, bronzy green leaves are larger than those of the Mahonia or Oregon Grape and are ornamental in themselves. Hardiness: Can be successfully grown with protection in the colder regions where growing Roses heretofore has not been possible or exceedingly difficult. Size of Plant: Ultimate height 14 to 15 feet.

Book  (1944)  Page(s) 201.  
 
Proof of the Pudding: continuation of a catalog of inconsistent reports, from "Buy an extra lot to plant it on" to "froze back to 18 in."

Magazine  (Dec 1943)  Page(s) vol. 5, no. 6, pp. 119-120.  
 
The Recent Horvath Climbers
R. E. Shepherd, Medina, Ohio
Hercules does not have the strength to survive our winters and but one plant of three still endures. It will be replaced by Meda, a new Horvath creation which has performed well in test-gardens and appears to be destined to become very popular. As Hercules has consistently failed to bloom in my garden, and I am unfamiliar with Meda, I cannot report on either. In a climate less severe than ours, Hercules is undoubtedly a valuable rose, and I regret that I cannot grow it. As the seed parent, Doubloons, is not dependably hardy and the pollen parent is a Hybrid Tea, its susceptibility to winter injury is understood.

Book  (1943)  Page(s) 195.  
 
Proof of the Pudding with the usual array of disagreements about the performance of Horvath climbers.

Book  (1941)  Page(s) 206-7.  
 
Proof of the Pudding describes growers' experiences: rose red, large cabbage blooms with hanging heads; flowers resemble hybrid perpetuals

Book  (1940)  Page(s) 65.  
 
R. Marion Hatton. New Roses in America. 
His [M. H. Horvath's] first Setigera hybrid the Climber 'Doubloons' has become quite popular, and is now followed by the Climbers Buff King, 'Federation', 'Hercules', 'Mercurius', 'Polaris' and 'Thor'. These are all husky plants, with heavy canes 8 to 15 feet long, and bloom but once... Hercules had 5 inch blooms of deep rose-pink and 50 petals;

Book  (1939)  Page(s) 240-241.  
 
Description of originator or introducer; vigorous climbing growth, profuse bloom (400) in June and July