The wild form of this rose is common on sand dunes and rare on dry hills inland, in many parts of England and western Europe from Iceland to Russia. It is a densely branched shrub with a multitude of fine needle-like prickles. It is easily recognised by its pale creamy-yellow flowers 3-5cm across, small rounded leaflets and blackish shining hips. It is very hardy to cold, surviving in zone 4 in America, and will grow and flower on the poorest soils, so the cultivated varieties often persist on roadsides and in abandoned gardens. These old garden varieties of the Scotch rose include pinks, whites and yellows, singles and doubles, some probably mutants, others hybrids with other wild roses. Height to about 1m. Zone 4, will survive down to Reginald Cory who was a considerable benefactor to the garden. It was photographed at Cavriglia. by Bill Grant. Unavailable: As far as we can tell thi