Explorer series; soft pink Canadian rugosa, hardy to zone 2.
The first rose of the Explorer series · very winter-hardy
The first rose of the Canadian Explorer series
USDA zone 2–3. Down to about −40 °C; one of the hardiest; no cover needed. To ≈ −40 °C · one of the most winter-hardy; without winter protection.
Compare reference temperatures
Medium to strong, pleasant.
Very resistant to powdery mildew; occasionally susceptible to black spot.
Undemanding; repeat flowering all summer.
Almost thornless on the upper canes — a rarity for rugosas.
Wrinkled (rugose), grey-green; turns red in autumn.
Soft / light pink, fading to creamy pink
John Davismedium pink
Morden Centennialraspberry-pink
Bonicalight pink
Hansapurple-raspberry · contrastHardy Canadian and rugosa roses — a natural partner for a winter-hardy hedge.
Blue perennials bring out the soft pink:
For contrast beside the soft pink, blue or silvery accents:
Where to plant. A hedge along a fence, or a specimen; stiff canes can be tied in vertically. Along a fence: plant no closer than about 1 m from the next bush, so the bushes get enough light and air.
Climate. One of the hardiest roses (USDA 2–3, to ≈ −40 °C) — overwinters without cover in the coldest regions.
Care. Almost indestructible and undemanding; almost thornless — easy to care for. Pruning is minimal.
Name. After Sir Martin Frobisher — a XVI-century English navigator who searched for the Northwest Passage and reached northern Canada three times.
Breeding. Felicitas Svejda, Agriculture Canada (Ottawa); bred in 1961, introduced in 1968. Descended from open pollination of the rugosa 'Schneezwerg'.
Significance. The first rose of the famous Canadian Explorer series — exceptionally hardy varieties named after explorers. Almost thornless, which is rare for rugosas.
The cultivar’s reference temperature is −40 °C (USDA zone 2–3). Overwintering depends on the conditions. Down to about −40 °C; one of the hardiest; no cover needed.
Repeat flowering in flushes all summer.
150–200 cm tall, 120–150 cm wide.
Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Very resistant to powdery mildew; leaf spot in places.
Sun + partial shade; undemanding; repeat flowering all summer.
Medium to strong, pleasant.
