Species & Their Hybrids
Many hundreds of species of roses still survive in the wild, and many of them make the finest of garden shrubs. Most are seasonal bloomers; many produce very ornamental, as well as edible fruits; some are notable for their brilliant display of fall foliage color. It is important to note here that any species of plant is composed of a population of individuals which show natural variations. When we list a variety we are offering one of the individuals in that population, sometimes a form that has particularly lovely flowers or is an excellent producer of fruit. For species of roses to survive we must all work to protect their habitats from destruction. A first step in that process is to grow and learn to love one form of that wild rose.