Rosa persica Michx. ex Juss, syn. Hulthemia persica (Michx.) Bornm., R. berberifolia Pall. A dwarf suckering and procumbent shrub up to 50cm high, with numerous straight spines and curved prickles. Leaves simple, to 15mm long, variable in shape, green or greyish, glabrous or pubescent, toothed, with no stipules. Flowers solitary; petals up to 15mm long, yellow with a red blotch at the base, over a rather long season. Anthers purple. Hips rounded, bristly, blackish. First introduced in 1790. Native of the steppes and desert regions of Iran, Afghanistan and central Asia north to western Siberia, flowers from April to June, Rosa persica is common in Iran, often growing as a weed in cornfields, and being used for fuel after the wheat has been harvested. In cultivation, plants of Iranian origin have proved very difficult to flower, even in a cold frame, plants from Tashkent grew and flowered well in a frame at Wisley Garden. J L Harkness spent much time hybridising R. persica with the view that the distinctive red eye would be an important addition to thr breeding pool of roses. Rather tender. Grows best in a dry sunny position on rather alkaline soil. Zone 6, will survive down to –20°C.

Available:
David Austin Roses,Bowling Green Lane, Albrighton, Wolverhampton WV7 3HB UK Tel 0190237 6300
Peter Beales Roses, London Rd., Attlelborough, Norfolk NR17 1AY UK
Tel 01953 454707