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| Category: Vine |
| Family: Rosaceae (Roses) |
| Origin: Garden Origin |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Pink |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Parentage: (R. 'Kathleen' x Unknown) |
| Height: Climbing (Vine) |
| Width: Spreading |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: <15° F |
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Rosa 'Francis E. Lester' (Climbing Rose) - This uncommon and very attractive rambling hybrid Musk, or multiflora rambler as it is categorized by Peter Beales, originated in Watsonville, California. It was the result of the cross of the beautiful musk rose 'Kathleen' with an unnamed seedling. It grows up to about 15 feet tall with bushy growth with glossy elegant foliage. In late spring into early summer there is a profusion of flowers, which are pink in bud, fading to white when opened, and are very pleasantly fragrant. Small red hips are produced in fall. The flowers appear in Southern California coastal gardens in late spring and early summer in Northern California. There is an occasional light second flowering in fall with the dark red hips from the strong spring flowering. A great rose trained up a post or wall. Hardy to zones 4-9. Named in memory of its hybiridizer, Francis E. Lester, shortly after his death in 1945. This rose was very popular in European gardens and catalogs for many years and is still respected by rosarians the world over for its profussion of bloom. This was one of the first of the more unusual climbing roses that we grew. Bruce Van Dyke, a local Santa Barbara horticulturist has had a plant in his garden since the late 1950's. The plant performed admirably every year and he lamented to us of its absence in the trade so in 1983 we took cuttings and by 1984 were offering this beautiful rose for sale. A large specimen graced the front fence across from our main entrance before county road constuction and a new sidewalk forced its removal. Though sadly we discontinued growing this wonderful rose in 2008, it can still be found in many Santa Barbara gardens from the plants we grew.
The information about Rosa 'Francis E. Lester' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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