Commercially available

• RSM 81-1862

42 favorite votes.  
Average rating: EXCELLENT-.  

Medium red Hybrid Kordesii.
Registration name: Henry Kelsey

Bred by Dr. Felicitas Svejda (Canada, before 1984).
Introduced in Canada by Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario (Central Experimental Farm) in 1986 as 'Henry Kelsey'.

Climber, Hybrid Kordesii, Shrub.   (Series: Explorer Series Collection)  

Red.  Moderate, fruity, spice fragrance.  Average diameter 3".  Medium, very double, in large clusters bloom form.  Occasional repeat later in the season.  

Armed with thorns / prickles, climbing.  Glossy, dark green foliage.  

Height: 4' to 9'10" (120 to 300cm).  Width: 5' (150cm).

USDA zone 3a and warmer.  Hardy.  very vigorous.  benefits from winter protection in colder climates.  shade tolerant.  Disease susceptibility: susceptible to blackspot , mildew resistant.  

Tetraploid

In September 1998, the Montreal Botanical Garden (Le Jardin Botanique de Montreal) carried out a survey of its roses' resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust. This is one of the outstanding varieties which showed a 0% to 5% infection rate. The data were taken on well-established roses.

Dr. Neville Arnold reports: In Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Publication 1922/E on Winter-hardy Roses, it is indicated that 'Henry Kelsey' is only 'moderately resistant to blackspot'. This rose must be grown where there is an excellent flow of air to keep this disease in check and a few sprays for black spot seem to help considerably.

Dr. Felicitas Svejda describes the parentage as: R. kordesii x seedling of D2 obtained from 2 cycles of open pollination from ('Red Pinocchio' x 'Joanna Hill') x Rosa spinosissima altaica [Elliott]