Newsletter  (Aug 2019)  Page(s) 23-24.  Includes photo(s).
 
[From "The Perryman/Whitman Garden in Eugene", by Elaine Sedlack, pp. 19-26]
A rose that is unfortunately rarely seen, given its hardiness and other virtues, is an interesting hybrid between Rosa blanda, the Labrador rose, and 'Red Star', an old Hybrid Tea from the 1920's: 'Lillian Gibson'. This was developed by Niels Hansen, a Danish man who immigrated to New York at age six in 1871, eventually moving to eastern South Dakota. He became professor of horticulture at Dakota Agricultural College and also worked for the USDA. Hansen whom the USDA designated "Plant Collector #1", traveled widely looking for plants that would survive South Dakota winters, including long treks through Siberia. He was a most productive plant breeder, known as "Burbank of the Plains.” He developed 'Lillian Gibson' in his successful quest to breed a thornless, hardy rose. This shrubby climber is hardy to at least Zone 3, and has lovely smooth red stems; the only prickles are found on the leaves.

Book  (Mar 1995)  Page(s) 140, 141.  Includes photo(s).
 
Page 140: Lillian Gibson Hansen (USA) 1938. Shrub. A hybrid of R. blanda. Description.. salmon pink, once-blooming, winter hardy, canes turn brilliant red in winter...
Page 141: [Photo]

Book  (Apr 1993)  Page(s) 314.  
 
Lillian Gibson Hybrid Blanda, (Shrub), rose-pink, 1938, R. blanda x /Red Star'; Hansen, N.E. Description.

Article (misc)  (1953)  Page(s) 171.  
 
Lillian Gibson (Dr. N.E. Hanse; R. blanda x Red Star) produces 3-inch double flowers in large clusters. Their salmon-pink color is clean and well-held. The foliage is intermediate between the parents and is held until late in the season. The winter canes are brilliant red. Can be used either as a shrub...or as a lower pillar. 5' x 5'.

Book  (1940)  Page(s) 79-82, plate facing 167.  Includes photo(s).
 
"Progress In Thornless Roses," by Dr. Niels E. Hansen
Lillian Gilbson was introduced in 1938. Its pedigree includes: Rosa blanda from Wilton, northern Minnesota, x Red Star (a red Hybrid Tea) pollen...The flowers are large, double, with over forty petals of a beautiful lively rose-pink, about three inches across, and with delightful rich fragrance. The plant, of sparsely thorny on young shoots, with scattered thorns on the old shoots. A root sprout of this rose, planted spring 1938, bore 31 flowers the next year.