Rosa foetida

Rosa foetida (yellow, below)

The Wild Rose Rosa foetida was probably introduced in 1540 from Central Asia and Southwest Asia. It is also known under the synonyms Rosa lutea (Mill.) or pink eglanteria (Mill. non L. ). Other names are Fox Rose, Yellow Rose, Rose wax, Persian Gold Rose and Austrian Briar. It was first scientifically described in 1762 by Johann Herrmann ( 1738-1800 ).

The botanical name (Latin foetidus = "smelly " ) refers to the smell of the flowers, which is rather unpleasant and reminiscent of a fox. The early- appearing, yellow flowers are usually solitary on thin, brown stalks with differently sized, straight spines and graceful, fern-like foliage Rose. The shrub reaches about 1.5 m plant height. In the fall the rose bears globular, orange-red rose hips.

Rosa foetida thrives best in regions with hot summers and cold winters. It is hardy to -35 ° C ( USDA zone 4). The orange-red sports Rosa foetida ' Bicolor' has also been introduced to Europe in the 16th century. He is also known under the synonym ' Austrian Copper '.

Another sport, ' persiana ' or ' Persian Yellow', filled with yellow flowers was found in 1837. The rose breeder Joseph Pernet - Ducher crossed from the sport of Rosa foetida the first yellow garden rose - ' Soleil d' Or' - the 1900 came on the market. The yellow and orange-red flowers modern garden roses created only by the introgression of Rosa foetida.