Louis Lens appears to have said (see Louis Lens: L'Élégance et la Rose, by Ivo Pauwels, 2000, p.124) that both 'Pink Surprise' and 'White Surprise' were bred from Rosa bracteata × Rosa rugosa 'La Rosée'. I do not know 'White Surprise' but I have grown 'Pink Surprise' and seen it in several European gardens. The foliage clearly shows the influence of R. rugosa. Has anyone any idea what Lens meant by 'La Rosée?'. There are two roses of this name, one HT and one Polyantha, neither of which would have imparted the rugose leaves.
Interesting question, Charles. I would think the person best qualified to answer it would be Ann Velle Boudolf of the Lens Nursery. She worked with Mr. Lens and has been intimately familiar with his creations for the past twenty-plus years. You might email her at the Lens Nursery to find your answer.
On page 122 of this book also is stated that the pollen were from Rosa rugosa 'La Rosée'... So the lineage of White surprise and Pink Surprise have to be altered. And I believe, that a new rose has to be added to HMF: Rosa rugosa 'La Rosée'. PS: I contacted Anne Velle about this; if she could and/or would shine her light on this matter.
Anne Velle wrote to me that Louis Lens told her: " White en (and) Pink Surprise: Rosa bracteata x Rosa rugosa ‘La Rosée’ " And Louis Lens had the same written by Ivo Pauwels in his book: "De Elegantie en de Roos". She's not acquinted with the Rosa rugosa 'La Rosée'....
In the past Louis Lens handed down the info about the Lineage as: White Surprise : Rosa bracteata x Rosa rugosa regeliana Pink Surprise: Rosa bracteata x Rosa rugosa ‘La Rosée’
Mrs. Velle believes that we should follow the last info that Mr. Lens handed down by the book... She stated: "Beiden zijn in ieder geval: bracteata x rugosa" (At least the parentage of both is: bracteata x rugosa)
Do you have any picture of Pink Surprise? It's hard to find pictures of it growing in the US, there's mostly just the stock photo of a flower close up. I'm considering planting it in the spring to cover a fence and would love it to see how it fills out.
Alas, my rose was planted in the shade of oaks and it didn't survive that. It needs enough sun and moisture/rain/watering. The photo of AmiRoses shows the whole bush.
Has there been a decision made regarding changing the pollen parent name to R. rugosa 'La Rosée' as Lens wrote it in the book mentioned in these comments? Also as Anne Velle wrote to Jay-Jay that Louis Lens told her: " White en (and) Pink Surprise: Rosa bracteata x Rosa rugosa ‘La Rosée’. Thank you.
Robert, I am rushing to take my husband away for a family birthday weekend and cannot concentrate. Briefly, I have temporarily changed the pollen parent on ‘Pink Surprise’ to R. Rugosa rubra. This will at least give both Pink and White Surprise the same pollen parent. Then there is the question of whether this pollen parent should be R. Rugosa regeliana. And is R. rugosa La Rosee a synonym of .....R. rugosa rubra....or R. rugosa regeliana .....or another variety altogether.
Thanks Robert. My husband turned 90 quite happily with a swish lunch out, and later a glass or two of red wine, some chocolate cake and the last quarter of the grand final footy and the local team won. I don’t think it hurt a bit. So.....back to it. I have added ‘La Rosee’ and hopefully more information will come to light one day on what this rose actually was. Because of the closeness of the Lens coded numbers 8654 and 8657, I think we have to presume the pollen parent was the same ‘La Rosee’ for both ‘White Surprise’ and ‘Pink Surprise’.
No, for they didn't/don't stand on a good (a bit shady) spot and every year the old canes died. Other roses performed better at that spot and outgrew them, like Dr. E.M. Mills. It did flower, but never had hips on them. Maybe one might better use the pollen.
There is an entry and photo for 'Pink Surprise' in the book Right Rose, Right Place, by Peter Schneider (Storey Publishing 2009) p. 56-7. Schneider gives the hardiness as zone 4-9. I think the Schneiders have grown all the roses which appear in his book.
