Predfern lives in my Chicagoland area, zone 5a. He doesn't spray nor winter-protect his roses. He gives detailed info. about each rose in his Gardenweb member page, see the link below.

Here's a very short excerpt from his member-page, his list is very long, best to click on the link below: "I have the following roses in my garden 2003 (I do not spray or winter protect). This is my second year growing roses:

Pierette Pavement - Lots of big, beautiful, wonderfully fragrant blooms all season. Average blooms size 4" but I have had a few 5 inchers! Show me a better Rugosa hybrid and I will buy it.

Snow Pavement - Lots of very fragrant, beautiful white blooms with a pink blush. Gets some blackspot near the end of the season."

It sounds like your soil is acidic, since you mentioned Rugosa, so I recommend Predfern, who also grows Rugosa.

Here is a link that might be useful: Predfern list of roses grown in zone 5a

Hansa is another Rugosa that folks like, nice reddish purple color.

Roses Unlimited has a sale $8 gallon-size own-root last June....delivered to your house with blooms! They will have that sale soon, either 2nd week or 3rd week of June. Kordes Roses are very disease-resistant..... Roses Unlimited sale is sold out fast ... they won't take orders through e-mails ... phone calls only, and checks sent through mail only. It's the rose vendor with the most customer satisfaction, 25 years in business.

If you google, "the scoop on ..... "name of nursery", that will give you people's reviews of any nursery in the country, be it bulbs, perennials, or roses.

Best to call Roses Unlimited when the sale starts this month, and ask for the type of roses you want, and they will recommend, 1/2 off own-roots, which are much healthier than grafted on Dr. Huey.

See below link for Roses Unlimited' vast selection:

Here is a link that might be useful: Roses Unlimited own-root roses

thanks!