Hybrid Banksia Rose, Old Garden Rose, Species Cross Rose 'Fortuniana'

This is most widely used today as a rose rootstock in south Florida and across the southern states, and in Australia. Where soils are san...Read Moredy in subtropical and tropical climates, root-knot nematodes make most own-root roses and roses on other rootstocks weak and short-lived (4--6 years at most). Fortuniana is remarkable for its vigor and disease resistance, and for the astonishing vigor and longevity it gives to the bud/scion, especially once it has a couple of years to get established.

Research at the University of Florida has established that, in addition to its nematode resistance, it is also the most resistant to crown gall, Phytophthora, Pythium, and Rhyzoctonia of all rose rootstocks tested.

The roots are shallow and fibrous. Not easily shipped bareroot. Fussy to graft onto.

Also grows well in USDA Zones 10 and 11, where the foliage is evergreen.

This is an ancient hybrid that had been cultivated for centuries in Chinese gardens before the famous Scottish botanist and plant explorer Robert Fortune brought it to England in 1850 (not 1840). It was not a garden success there, as it prefers hot summers.

It is a large, graceful, and vigorous rambler, with disease--resistant foliage. Flowers are 2" across, produced all along the slender canes, with a strong fragrance often said to resemble that of violets.

I started my plant from a cutting from an old Victorian house that's going through a remodeling and the owner of this house has this wond...Read Moreerful white rose in the courtyard. It rooted easily and have lax cane that have hardly or no thorns. I first thought this is an Alberic Barbier rose but the bud's not yellow and the leaves are rather larger then Alberic's. Its one of the most healthiest rose I've ever grown. When I finally met the real Alberic, I realized that Fortuniana is better then Alberic because the latter has a lot of mildew and flower heads are slightly smaller and flobbier in my location.
If there's a weakness in Fortuniana is at the beginning of the season the buds do ball and not open properly but as temp goes up there's no problem at all. And once the bloom is cut, it doesn't last as long expected. Its a rather good looking bloom. I guess its the lady bank influences which lend itself to shorter shelf life. You have to cut them as a bud and last about 3 days in a vase but last much longer left blooming on the plant.

I was lucky; I wanted to order this rose from the "Antique Rose Emporium", but they were out of stock. I knew that "Fortuniana" Roses ...Read Morewere used as a grafted understock for roses grown in the South,because they resist pathogens & weather pests easily.. It is a beautiful, fragrant rose in its own right, & deserves to be offered for sale more than it is; its an insult to see it grafted onto so many puny & oft scentless cultivars.
I could not believe my luck when I noticed that the "Jackson & Perkins"rose I'd bought, which was grafted on "Fortuniana" rootstock;sprouted characteristic Fortuniana foliage (which was markedly different from the "Fouth of July"rose it was sharing space with.) I had been wondering how to coax suckers out of the original rootstock; & was considering a root cutting when the garden gods gifted me with what I wanted, & without any action on my part. I am eagerly awaiting blooms of both grafts. Does anyone know of a reliable way to encourage suckering of wanted grafted rootstocks that are not commonly sold in unaltered form?? I doubt this occurs easily by chance.

Not a very large bloom, but it has a wonderful unusual violet fragrance and very beautiful willow-like leaves. It is spring blooming and...Read More very lady-like.