PAVEMENT ROSES For those of us who dwell in the frozen depths of Zone 3, all new hardy roses are of great interest. The palette of material can be limited. Obviously with effort to bury and protect we can also grow teas (sic)*, etc. Roses that happily look after themselves and are resistant to most pests are most welcome. The Pavement series has been around since the first introductions in the late 80’s but as with many new products, it has taken a while to grow into common trade. The series has an unfortunate name. It does not excite the consciousness. However these roses are tough, salt resistant, compact, often fragrant and span the colour range from pink to white. They are all derived from a Rugosa background. I have grown three of the varieties and found them all to be completely hardy and free of disease. Two rose breeders, Baum and Uhl developed the series. They both have other roses to their credit but seem to have contributed most of their work to this series. The last release I could find was Snowflake Pavement in 1997, so I am not sure if more are under development. I have counted ten roses in the series, excluding the work done prior to the series. Of course, nothing is simple, the roses also have other names under which they were released so care should be used when looking for a variety. Many are now carried in the catalogues and I have found a few in the chain stores. This winter I encouraged the buyers at several local nurseries to look for this material. I will list the varieties and the alternate names I found: 1.. Dwarf Pavement aka Rosa Zwerg Baum’84 2.. Snow Pavement Baum’84 3.. Purple Pavement aka Exception, Rotes Meer Baum’86 4.Pierette Pavement aka Yankee Lady Uhl’87 5.White Pavement aka Snow Owl Uhl’87 6.Foxi Pavement aka Foxy Pavement, Buffalo Gal Uhl’89 7.Pristine Pavement aka Shneeberg, White Perfection Baum’90 8.Showy Pavement aka Pink Pavement, Rokoko Baum’90 9.Scarlet Pavement aka Kate Apart Uhl’10.Snowflake Pavement aka Shneeflocke Uhl’97 Many Sources list slightly different dates and I am sure there are probably even more alternate names in use. As the Pavement series becomes more popular I am sure the defining Pavement name will predominate. If you are looking for a low maintenance, tough rose, consider the Pavement Series.

*note from me... I'm a little disappointed a writer for the CRS doesn't know the difference between Teas and Hybrid Teas. I would like to state for the record that there is a huge difference. Tea roses are one of the breeding ancestors of modern Hybrid Teas, but there the relationship ends. True tea roses are hardy to approximately Zone 7. I would be surprised if anyone on this forum has ever actually seen a tea rose.

If true tea roses are zone 7, then they should be borderline growable in the BC interior.

I suppose they could grow Teas in interior BC, also on parts of the Island where it is Zone 8.

Anyways, all I really know about them is they are hardy and disease free, which is attributed to their rugosa heritage. I also read that the name 'pavement' isn't a very flattering name, but it apparently is in reference to the fact that they are usually shorter, compact, sprawling, tough roses that are suitable to growing alongside a path or sidewalk (pavement).

Glen

Pavement roses are terrific as far as health, hardiness, repeat and fragrance are concerned, but if you are planning to put them in a perennial border, think carefully. I have 2 left (gave some away for lack of space), a rotesmeer and snow pavement. They sucker quite a bit, as do most rugosas, and you will no doubt have your work cut out for you trying to keep them under control. Maybe you could try grafted plants to minimize the spreading. Mine are ownroot.
Judith