This is 'Treasure Trail' one of my relatively recent Moss Shrubs introduced by Rogue Valley Roses. It resulted from a cross of 'Condoleezza' and 'Scarlet Moss', both Ralph Moore Moss hybrids, and both descended from Moore's first miniature Moss, 'Fairy Moss'. I expect 'Treasure Trail' has inherited it's compact nature and bloom distribution habit from both sides of it's ancestry; both are small/smallish plants with lots of branching and tend to flower on short laterals.
I expect that compact, free-blooming shrubs like this are going to be easier to market in the years to come, with few people caring to invest a lot of energy into caring for a garden; folks are going to pick one or two roses for patio pots or to integrate into a modest mixed border, and they will want a plant that doesn't require chronic manicuring in order to make a presentable plant. The specimen you see below has, in fact, not been pruned or shaped in any way in two seasons, and yet it maintains an attractive outline and continues to perform well.
What do YOU think? Is this the kind of plant that appeals to you, and if so, what do you like about it?
Definitely appealing for all the reasons you mention. "Naked legs" aren't all that attractive on bushes. Blooms and healthy leaves down low are great.
ReplyDeleteOh Yes, yes, YES! The shrub is just as important as the bloom to me these days too, and this particular rose is just gorgeous! I acquired T.T. 2 years ago, and though mine hasn't really filled out yet (maybe needs a bigger pot?) this rose is one of my very favorites. In addition to the really unique and beautiful blooms, this rose has the shiniest and healthiest foliage of any rose in my garden. I was just admiring it this afternoon and it looks just like the foliage has been lacquered with high gloss varnish--and the gloss lasts all season too. Not a bit of blackspot in a garden where that fungus proliferates. TT is just the kind of rose I keep looking for now--I'm not interested in roses with ugly growth habits and sparse foliage no matter what the bloom looks like. Keep up the good work, Paul!
ReplyDeleteOne more thing--Treasure Trail's blooms perform well in heat too. We live in the Central Valley of CA where temps often soar past 100 degrees, and the air is very dry. In these conditions many roses fade, stop blooming, or the petals crisp into dry brown wads, but this rose holds its bloom color and the blooms are very long lasting as well.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you on form. Hybrid Teas and many floribundas for that matter look like a teen-age cat all legs and no body. It just seems acquward. To make them look good next to other plants you have to plant pansies or something else to cover up the bottom of them. But even then sometimes it looks like you just bought some florist roses and stuck them in the ground. Shrubs like the one above look full from the bottom up. While the individual flowers may not be show stoppers the overall appearance is greater. At least I think.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Paul. Increasingly, roses are becoming landscape plants instead of subjects for a "rose garden". Selections such as your Treasure Trail will definitely find homes as short hedges, pot fillers, in small planters which are more the rule these days as land shrinks around the homes and smaller plants with continuous interest and color are required. It's a great looking PLANT, which far too many aren't. Congratulations! Kim
ReplyDeletePaul, you already know where I stand. I agree that from the standpoint of a commercial enterprise, shrubs like this one are ideal...in fact, this one reminds me of the new "Drift" rose series that is getting all the hype here in the Midwest. But I'm still a "bloom is important" guy...not necessarily the ever-bud Hybrid Tea form, but OGR/scented/very doubled form. We'll see this year where I put the Drift roses after I try one or two of them.
ReplyDeleteOkay, you are probably right as far as the market and commerce are concerned, but my personal taste does not conform: I love seeing the structure of roses. I like being able to look through them and see their branching, and I prefer sparse blooms so that I can savor each and every one. Susan (no idea how not to be signed as Anonymous)
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ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite roses actually. Treasure Trail is a workhorse in St. Pete Florida. I wish I could get more pollen out of it.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Andrew Grover
Another "anonymous" post from the same anonymous as above: My comment was not meant to suggest that I don't think Treasure Trail is beautiful; the pictures at HMF make it clear that she has lovely blooms.
ReplyDeleteSusan
I absolutely like this!
ReplyDeletehybrid teas look so impersonal and sometimes artificial
this shrub, with a couple of lavender plants added next to it will make beautiful, to remember summer afternoons
Consider me on your side!
I like this bush, A LOT!!!
ReplyDeleteHaving said that at the outset, HT's have dominated rose sales, and continue to do so at least where I live. Predicting future trends on rose sales is iffy at best IMO.
Yes, there is no doubt there is consumer appeal for roses like this beauty of yours, Paul.
Congratulations!
I can see this as a landscaping shrub, and do find the all-over blooms appealing. However, I like the leggy look of the tea roses and plan to use them almost as sculptural features in my lawn.
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