Rose RSM W4

Canadian rose ‘Hope for Humanity’ a wonderful Shrub rose from the "Parkland" series, bred byLynn M. Collicutt in 1984, and are specifically suitable for the cold winters of Manitoba (Central Canada). It was given the honor of being named “Hope for Humanity” to honor the centenary of the founding of the Canadian Red Cross. The variety was obtained as a result of hybridizing various rose species, is very frost-hardy (down to -35°C), not prone to diseases, hardy, and does not require meticulous care. It blooms from early summer until the first snows with the most beautiful, densely double, dark burgundy velvety flowers, which are the hallmark of this amazing variety.

It is worth making a note on what the Canadian roses are and what makes them so special. As the name implies, they were bred in Canada and belong to two series: Explorer and Parkland, which include more than 30 varieties. These roses were developed by the Canadian Ministry of Agriculture specifically for their climate, taking into account the harsh Canadian winters – they are characterized by unique hardiness – easily withstanding frosts of -35° to -40°C, and some even down to -45°C, and were obtained as a result of painstaking work – complex interspecific hybridization. Also, besides high frost resistance, these roses have increased disease resistance and abundant blooming; they are easy to care for and hardy in terms of growing conditions. Planting the ‘Hope for Humanity’ rose in your garden, any gardener, even one who does not have enough time or ability to care for this variety, will be rewarded with a gorgeous, healthy, undemanding bush with abundant blooming throughout the season! (Lafazan N. D., 2020)

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

Pointed buds with appengated narrow sepals resemble carved buds of Hybrid Tea roses; the flowers are initially cup-shaped, and when fully open are almost flat, showing a white spot in the center and light-yellow stamens. At the beginning of blooming they are dark red, wine-purple, with a burgundy tint and velvety petals, of medium diameter 5–7 cm (2"), very double (15–25 petals), arranged in clusters of several blooms together, and by the end of the season the number of the blooms in clusters only increases. This rose variety repeats the flowering throughout the season. By the end of August, the bush produces tall canes with a huge number of loosely arranged clusters (from 15 to over 50 blooms). In hot, dry weather of a slightly lighter red color. It has a weak, soft fragrance.

The plant of this rose variety is strong, well-branched, 150 - 215 cm (5–7 feet) tall, 80–90 cm wide, upright, narrow, compact, and climbing. Various sources provide different data on its height, which is explained by the peculiarities of climate, soils, and care (pruning, training, feeding). In a cold climate it rarely exceeds 75 cm in height, but like most modern roses, it feels perfectly fine in hot conditions. In Ukraine, on average, the plants reach about 150 – 200 cm in height.

The leaves are semi-glossy, healthy, light or medium green, 5-pinnate, obovate with acuminate tips, often large-serrated leaflets. It is planted in both group and solitary plantings, and can be used for a post or pergola, as a small rambler rose. Like other Canadian roses, it propagates well by cuttings.

It is disease-resistant, although sometimes under favorable conditions black spot (ARE) may occur.

It is very frost-hardy – USDA zone 3b and warmer.

Overall, this rose looks in the garden like a kind of large bouquet of wine-red noble flowers gathered in large clusters of several dozen pieces. The densely double dark burgundy flowers shimmer with purplish velvety hues, resemble the shape of Hybrid Teas, and are arranged in large clusters, harmonizing beautifully with the dark green foliage. The rose has excellent health and decorative appeal: flowers are constantly present on the bush. An outstanding variety in all respects, ‘Hope for Humanity’ was bred by Lynn M. Collicutt in Canada in 1984, and was presented to the public in Manitoba only 11 years later in 1995.

This rose variety was introduced to the market in 1995 by Canadian agricultural company Morden. The name was designated in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Red Cross. The Canadian Red Cross began its work in 1895 and was officially founded in 1896.

The rose variety ‘Hope for Humanity’ originated by Lynn M. Collicutt by crossing:

 a seed parent - a rose seedling which is a cross between a Shrub rose ‘Prairie Princess’ by Dr. Griffith J. Buck and a Shrub rose ‘Morden Amorette’ by Henry H. Marshall;

 with the pollen parent - a rose seedling which is a cross between a Shrub rose ‘Morden Cardinette’ by Henry H. Marshall and unnamed rose seedling denominated as RSM K1 by Henry H. Marshall.

Therefore the parentage of this rose can be summarized as following:

[‘Prairie Princess’ x ‘Morden Amorette’] x [‘Morden Cardinette’ x RSM K1]

USDA 3 and warmer