This beautiful double form of a wild north American rose is worth a place in any garden. The first thing to note about it however, is that it is not a form of Rosa californica, despite being almost universally misnamed as that species. So widespread is the misnaming that to call it by its proper name seems almost pedantic and causes no end of confusion. However, for the record, it is correctly:Rosa nutkana "Plena"
Rosa nutkana, the Nootka rose, is a very beautiful wild rose in its own right, and even arguably the most beautiful wild rose of all. It is named after the romantically rugged Nootka sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island, which is in turn named after the Nuu-chah-nulth people, one of the First Nations of Canada.
Rosa nutkana is not restricted to British Columbia however, but ranges down to California. This rose and Rosa californica are distinguished by their prickles: Rosa nutkana generally has straight prickles whereas Rosa californica has curved prickles.
Always a precious gem for those who grow it.
Hello. If you have personal experience of this rose please could you tell me if the scent is strong or light as there is contradictory info online. I am considering growing it as part of an informal hedge.
ReplyDeleteI grow it has a hedge, it is lovely.
DeleteRosa nutkana has a medium-strong wild rose fragrance in my opinion. I certainly have never come across any specimen in the wild or cultivated here in the PNW with a “light” scent
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