Rose Therese Bugnet

With the beauty of a Damask rose, "Thérèse Bugnet" features large, double blooms with old-fashioned, ruffled petals in a lilac-pink shade and a spicy fragrance that can range from mild to very strong. It blooms on stems that are nearly thornless, an uncommon characteristic for this hybrid. Although "Thérèse Bugnet" differs from typical Rugosa roses with its darker foliage and more upright growth habit, it remains an extraordinarily hardy rose.

Blooming and Appearance:

This rose begins flowering very early in spring, among the first to bloom. From elegant, pointed, deep pink buds gathered in clusters of 3-5 blooms, large (8–10 cm), semi-double (30–40 petals) flowers emerge. These blooms are a vibrant lilac-pink with white edges that fade to soft pink over time. The flowers have a loose center with yellow stamens, crinkled petals, and a slightly disheveled appearance. Following its prolonged first bloom, it offers moderate repeat flowering until late in the growing season.

The plant is a tall shrub (150 – 200 cm in height, 120 – 180 cm in width), upright with a fountain-like crown. Its long, arching, reddish stems have sparse, soft prickles, a rarity for a Rugosa hybrids. The lance-shaped leaves, consisting of 3–9 leaflets, range from gray-green to bronze in spring, dark yellow in autumn, and the stems turn bright red in winter, creating a striking seasonal display. It can grow on its own roots and produce suckers. Its lineage includes two forms of Rosa rugosa and Rosa acicularis, resulting in a highly durable, healthy Canadian rose.

"Thérèse Bugnet" is versatile and can be used as:

 A standalone feature or in group plantings in rose gardens, flower beds, large rock gardens, or mixed borders.

 Combined with conifers or lavender for stunning visual effects.

 Perfect for creating informal protective hedges, with its reddish stems adding a beautiful winter accent.

 An excellent choice for cut flowers due to its large, fragrant blooms.

Hardiness and Care:

This rose is highly winter-hardy, thriving in climates similar USDA Zones 3a–9b (down to -40°C). It is exceptionally robust, resistant to diseases, and tolerant of shade. It dislikes heavy pruning, but removing spent blooms during flowering helps stimulate new bud growth.

Optimal Growing Conditions:

 Prefers a sunny, wind-sheltered location.

 Grows best in fertile, loamy soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH.

 Requires additional nutrients throughout the growing season.

 While modern varieties are disease- and pest-resistant, regular preventive treatments (every 2–3 weeks) are recommended.

 Avoid sprinkling watering to prevent fungal diseases.

 Can overwinter without protection.

Special Notes:

"Thérèse Bugnet" blooms profusely in early summer, covering its fountain-like shrub so densely with flowers that foliage is barely visible. Later blooms are less dramatic but persist throughout summer. Its bronze foliage, bright red stems in winter, and ease of care make it a favorite for both beginners and experienced gardeners.

The rose is not only remarkable for its exceptional winter hardiness but also for its large, fragrant flowers that bloom abundantly from early summer until autumn. It thrives in both cold climates and hot conditions, making it a truly adaptable and resilient choice for any garden.

As one of the easiest roses to grow, "Thérèse Bugnet" perfectly exemplifies the rugged elegance of Rugosa hybrids, descended from the Central Asian Rosa rugosa. These roses withstand winters similar to Canadian, and temperatures as low as -45°C while retaining the toughness, beauty, and bronze foliage of their wild ancestor.

Georges Bugnet (1879–1981), was one of the most prominent French writers in Western Canada. During his 101-year life, he published four novels, as well as short stories, essays, and poetry. Born in France, he emigrated to Canada in 1904. His interest in botany drove him to experiment with plants that could thrive in the climate of northern Alberta.

To create the famous rose Thérèse Bugnet, named after his sister, Bugnet collected pollen from various rose plants at the University of Alberta and combined it with another of his rugosas, Pelouses (by Georges Bugnet, Canada, 1938). The pollen mix included Betty Bland, Hansa, R. hugonis, and others, which he called “University”.

Bugnet became an accomplished horticulturist, contributing significantly to the development of plant varieties in Alberta. In recognition of his contributions, the provincial government designated the Bugnet Plantation Historic Site in his honor.

Diploid Variety

“Pelouses” × “University”

(Bugnet collected pollen from various rose plants at the University of Alberta and combined it in the crossbreeding that resulted in Thérèse Bugnet. This mix included pollen from Betty Bland, Hansa, Rosa hugonis, and others. He named this mix "University.")

If we list the various parents of Thérèse Bugnet without using the nicknames Bugnet gave to his intermediate hybrids, the lineage looks like this: [R. rugosa flore pleno × {( R. kamtchatica × R. macounii ) × R. amblyotis }] × mixed pollen. The pollen mix included Betty Bland, Hansa, R. hugonis, and others. Therefore, we cannot precisely identify the paternal pollen of Thérèse Bugnet. It might have been Betty Bland (long believed to be the pollen parent, as Thérèse Bugnet shares some characteristics with R. blanda), but it could have been one of the others, as R. macounii sometimes exhibits similar traits (e.g., reddish, nearly thornless stems).

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