Rosa hemisphaerica J.Hermann syn R. rapinii Boiss. & Bal. THE SULPHER ROSE A much branched shrub up to 1.5m high, with many strong, curved prickles. Known since 1625. Leaflets 5-7 (-9), slightly aromatic, grey green above, glaucescent and finely pubescent beneath, glandula on the rachis. Stipules often toothed. Flowers strong yellow 4-5 cms across. Hips orange red. native of Turkey, Iranthe Kopet Dag and Armenia, growing on dry slopes and roadsides from 800-1800m; often cultivated within that range. A good rose for hot dryish areas like California and its native habitat. The flowers have a smell rather than a pleasant scent. Zone 5, will survive down to –25°C.

The drawing is taken from a water colour by Salomon Pinhas (1759-1837) who worked at Wilhelmshoehe in Kassel Germany. Bill Grant tell us that the rose is still growing in the garden.