My observations mirror those expressed by others. In this warm climate this bush will get very big with very long canes.

The flowers are huge and well filled with a warm soft pink. They are so big, in fact, that the canes tend to bend over if not restrained in some way - especially in the rain. Fragrance is very good - on a good day the fragrance will reach out and grab you in the garden. Foliage is pleasing. New growth is red maturing to a mid-dark green and generally in scale with the size of the flowers - though a little more size in the leaf might be desired for athetics.

The soil and water are definitely on the alkaline side - but it does not seem to bother this rose. Nor has it been seriouisly bothered by pests or fungus.

When bent over, the plant tends to break well along the cane. In areas where it gets so tall, it might be a good candidate to grow and train on a fence. The canes are probably not lax enough for pegging, but I'm thinking if you can get the canes trained down enough to have a good horizontal run it would be an impressive display.

This has only been the first year for this plant. It is a budded on multiflora - which often is not a good fit in my garden - but it has worked well for this plant. With so many petals, not sure I will have any pollen to work with, and it may not set hips either. I certainly hope there will be something to work with as there are so many good qualities you would want to work into a breeding program.
Gardening in central Texas, USA.


Another year down the road, and this is still a very robust grower. It's decided affinity for putting out long canes (well over my 6 foot frame) makes it a little lanky underneath. As mine is planted in a high bed, it is a definte case of great plant wrong place. The flowers would be best appreciated from the roof of my house!. I should also mention that this one can be seriously affected by chili thrips. If it stays cool enought to get the horticultural oils out it keeps them under control (just), but something to keep an eye on if they are a problem in your area.

I bought this in my continuing attempt to find rugosas that will do acceptably well in my area of Texas. I am removing this rose after 2 years as it is obvious that, like most rugosas I've tested so far, this rose does not appreciate heat. Foliage and flowers are typical of rugosas. Flowers have eye-catching color but do not last long. Mid-green foliage is generally clean. For me it did not get tall - just kind of low and spreading. I think this would be a fine landscape plant in a cooler climate.

Anne Endt is the only rugosa-type I've ever grown successfully here. Unfortunately I lost mine in severe drought about 10 years ago and have not been able to replace it. So... I occasionally try other options.