Excellent topic, Kes! I hate to think of a future generation lamenting about the "lost forever" roses being the ones we are still growing in limited numbers today, in the same way WE lament the roses that have already disappeared. The only way to prevent that is to grow those roses. RRD has sure added an additional obstacle to this. I'm terrified of RRD, and I don't know what I would do if I found it in my garden.
Jeri, I see that you included 'Mel's Heritage' on your list. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I think 'Mel's Heritage' ought to be "The antique rose of the future". It's really that good. I've tried to promote 'Mel's Heritage' at every opportunity to help it become more widely available and grown. To have it disappear would be a great loss. I've made sure my kids know it's my favorite rose, and should the desire to grow it ever comes upon them, I want it available to them.
I'm not sure how endangered some of my roses might be, but I have a few that aren't widely available, ( mainly due to Cliff's generosity.)
The ones that aren't widely available are;
'Jet Spray' Louis Lens 1984
'Hommage a Soupert et Notting' Ducher 2007
'Rev. H. d'Ombrain' Margottin 1863
Princesses Josephine de Flandres' Soupert & Notting 1888
'Comice de Tarn-et-Garonne' Pradel 1852
Lisa
