Cape Cod Heritage Roses

 

Michael Walsh

Originator of the Cape Cod Ramblers

The following list of rambler roses introduced into commerce by Mr. Walsh, and their descriptions, are gleaned from sources both contemporary to him and more recent, as well as my own observations. Dan Russo has provided corrections and additions for which I am very grateful.
America
(1913) R. Wichuriana X Crimson Rambler. Single, in large clusters; Delicate pink shading to white at the center; prominent stamens.
Arcadia
(1913) R. Wichuriana X Crimson Rambler.Very double crimson rosettes are very much like 'Lady Blanche' in size and form. It is a darker red than Excelsa. Still a few plants around Cape Cod.
Babette
(1906) R. Wichuriana X R. multiflora form. Double. Dark crimson tinged with white.
Bonnie Bell
(1911) Deep pink single flowers that are deeper in color at the petal tips, fading to white in the center. They have prominent yellow stamens, and are very fragrant. The fragrance is the same as 'Evangelin' and 'Maid Marion'.
Carissima
(1905) Delicate flesh, unfading, with lasting fragrance; petals quilled. Looks like a carnation.
Celeste
No description recorded
Cinderella
(1909) Double. Darker than Lady Gay. Ends of petals quilled. The last rambler to bloom.
Coquina
(1909) Small single, cupped, shell pink base of petals creamy white. Vigorous grower with dark leathery foliage. Similar in flower shape and size to 'La Fiamma'.
Debutante
(1901) R. Wichuriana X Baroness Rothschild (1868). Double, clear, soft pink blooms in long sprays, sweetbrier fragrance. Considered one of the premier pink ramblers. Very rare.

At first sight fairly similar to 'Dorothy Perkins', but infinitely more beautiful, of better colour and not subject to mildew. Dark green, rounded, neat foliage, similar to R. wichuraiana, and lone dainty sprays of bloom set with pale green bracts. Flowers cupped at first, later reflexing with quilled petals; clear rose-pink fading to blush. A charming rambler for all purposes, and delightful for cutting. Delicate primrose fragrance. Undoubtedly the best pink rambler in its section. -Graham Stuart Thomas

Delight
(1904) Single, sometimes two rows of petals, bright carmine, white base showing a mass of yellow stamens. Repeats. Similar to Hiawatha but another shade of red and flower cluster is longer and airier.
Evangeline
(1906) R. Wichuriana X Crimson Rambler. Single, 2 inch flowers come on long stemmed clusters; light pink fading to white at the center and carmine at the petal tips, delicious fragrance. There are still a few plants on Cape Cod.
Excelsa
(1908) R. Wichuriana X Crimson Rambler. Winner of the Gertrude M. Hubbard Gold Medal in 1914 for best American rose introduced in the previous five years. Double, scarlet crimson cupped flowers in large sprays, small glossy leaves on a plant of great vigor. Very common on Cape Cod and throughout New England and New York.
Galaxy
(1906) Bright crimson
Hiawatha
(1904) R. Wichuriana X Paul's Carmine Pillar. Small, single, deep crimson flowers with a white center and golden anthers. A very vigorous plant with attractive glossy light green foliage. Occasional repeat. There are still a few plants around on Cape Cod.
Jessica
(1909) Double, large, cream white with light rose center.
Kalmia
(1911) Single, cupped, white tinged pink; flower clusters resemble those of the Mountain Laurel.
Lady Blanche
(1913) R. Wichuriana X R. Multiflora form. Double, pure snow-white slightly cupped, very small, fragrant flowers. Over time 'Lady Blanche' can make a huge shrub roses at least six feet tall and across; dense and impenetrable. It covers itself in small very double flowers for weeks. There are still a few plants on Cape Cod, particularly in the Falmouth area.
Lady Gay
(1903) R. Wichuriana X Bardou Job. Very double, rose pink shading to soft pink and even white as they mature, small flowers in conical clusters which give the plant the effect of lovely pink garlands. Small hairs on peduncle. Leaves blunter than 'Dorothy Perkins'. Growing tips of canes are never "bronze" and the new leaves are never "bronze" edged. A very vigorous grower to 20'. There are still plants in Woods Hole and Falmouth on Cape Cod.
La Fiamma
(1909) R. Wichuriana X Crimson Rambler. Single small cupped flowers in large sparays, a deep pink version of 'Coquina'. There are still a few plants on Cape Cod.
Lucile
(1911) R. Wichuriana X R. Multiflora form. Double, delicate flesh-pink tinged rosy salmon at base.
Luisante
No description recorded
Maid Marion
(1909) Single, large slightly incurved white petals, tipped dark pink; mass of golden stamens. Large and glossy foliage. Good fragrance, but perhaps not as strong as 'Evangeline' and 'Bonnie Bell'. Still a few plants around Cape Cod.
Milky Way
(1900) Single flowers in clusters, white sometimes tipped pink, accentuated by the ring of yellow stamens. A handsome and vigorous plant providing a beautiful pure white display. Similar to R. wichuriana but more upright growing with larger flowers clusters.
Minnehaha
(1905) R. Wichuriana X Paul Neyron. Deep, satiny, small pink very double flowers in large clusters fading to white; late flowering and profuse blooming.
Mrs. M.H. Walsh
(1913) Very double, small, pure snow white flowers in large clusters; vigorous growing trailing variety with glossy green foliage.
Nokomis
(1918) R. Wichuriana X Comte de Raimbaub. Medium pink shaded lavender & fading lavender with intensely fragrant large, double but flat flowers & glossy, light green foliage.
Paradise
(1908) R. Wichuriana X R. Multiflora form. Large single flowers having notched white petals with rosy tips, borne in graceful sprays. Rich vinous pink, a shade darker than 'Evangeline'. Free flowering and very hardy. Certificate of Merit, American Rose Society.
Regina
(1915) Single, creamy white tipped pink.
Snowball
(1901) Double white.
Snowdrift
(1913) R. Wichuriana X R. Multiflora form. Double, pure white flowers in large clusters that do look like the plant is "drifted" with snow.
Summer Joy
(1911) Double, pure white buds; flowers dark rose when mature.
Sweetheart
(1901) R. Wichuriana X Bridesmade. Very double, bright pink domed buds; shade to soft white when fully expanded. There are still a few around Cape Cod.
Troubadour
(1911) Double, bright red shaded maroon.
Wedding Bells
(1906) Large clusters of shell pink semi-double flowers, white at the base of the petals, with disease resistant foliage.
Winona
(1911) Double, deep rose pink, large and loose for the type. Foliage shining green. Flowers larger and later than Lady Gay.
 

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