About the name
Name. “Roseraie de l'Haÿ” — named after the Roseraie du Val-de-Marne (also called Roseraie de l'Haÿ-les-Roses), the famous Paris rose garden in the town of L'Haÿ-les-Roses near Paris. The garden was founded in 1894 by Jules Gravereaux — the first rose garden in the world devoted entirely to roses (before that, roses were always mixed with other plants). The variety was bred for the garden's 7th anniversary and given to it as a symbol.
Breeding. Bred by Cochet-Cochet (a family of rose breeders, France) in 1901. Parentage: a seedling of R. rugosa (a Japanese species rose, brought to Europe from Japan at the end of the XVIII century). Classification: Rugosa Hybrid — a rare group among Old Garden Roses, with exceptional hardiness and fragrance. The catalogue entry replaced “Red Eye”: Red Eye (Dümmen Orange ~2014) was a niche cut flower with a green “eye”, now discontinued.
Significance. One of the most famous and influential Rugosa-varieties in history — a true classic of Victorian gardens. One of the most fragrant of all Rugosas — a strong classic Damask scent, rare for R. rugosa (most Rugosas have a specific clove-like scent). One of the most continuously flowering Rugosas — June to October. Outstanding hardiness, USDA 3 (−40 °C) — essential for the cold regions of Canada, Scandinavia and Siberia. A unique “rich bright magenta” colour. Decorative red hips plus apple-green glossy foliage — multi-faceted ornamental value. 125 years of legendary status.