Hi Robbie.

Lucky you! Even the old outhouse is bearing roses for you. Of course, it must have been a fertile field at one time. :-)

Your rose kind of reminds me of Manetti. It, like Ragged Robin, was once a popular rootstock. Check the link below and see what you think.

You see a lot of Manetti in the south, from what I understand. I wouldn't think that it's hardy here, considering the supposed China/Noisette heritage (look under the "References" tab on the link below), but I don't know for certain.

Compare the characteristics of your rose's canes and leaves with those of the pictures on HMF. If you recall what the hips looked like, there are also pictures of those on HMF too.

Your rose may not be Manetti, but there's a strong resemblance.

All the best,

Deb

Here is a link that might be useful: Manetti at HMF

I have a Manetti and that's also what I thought of when I saw your photos, so it may be related. Mine has smaller blooms, though, more like 2" across. I don't prune it and it blooms nicely each spring.

Here is a link that might be useful: r. manetti on HelpMeFind

I third the nomination.

thanks --- i did see a photo on the "help me find" site that looks very similar to this flower. the biggest difference, though, are the photos of the red canes. this outhouse rose does not have red canes. the new ones are green, with reddish thorns.

also, we're in zone 5, and this rose gets absolutely not protection in winter. it's very winter hardy. it was my understanding that noisettes are not hardy for where we live. and the help me find says that it "blooms in flushes throughout the season," but our outhouse rose blooms only once.

the help me find doesn't give zone info on manetti, though. is it possible that a noisette could be so cold hardy?

thanks!
--robbie--

Shade from building could be keeping canes green. Look for signs of it being a rootstock, for example stumps left from scion with existing sprouts coming from around and beneath.

thanks bboy ---- i'll take a close look for that this weekend.

thanks!
--robbie--

I'm not familiar at all with Manetti, but when looking at the pictures the very first thing I said to myself was, "That's an Alba."

Consider them as you try to name this! Albas have green new growth. Many of them have pink flowers, but the pink is generally gentle, and sometimes quite pale. If I'm right, the flowers of yours are about as dark a pink as they get. If it's an Alba and it's happy, when in full bloom it quite literally covers itself in flowers. The flowers are probably not simply fragrant, but are fragrant with a distinctly pure sweet scent. It probably also is not notably thorny. Prickles will be present, but they won't be the first thing about the bush that comes to mind when you think about it (the way they are with a rugosa, or with New Dawn).