Once Rugosa roses have leaves in th

Once Rugosa roses have leaves in the spring, they hate being sprayed for insects or fungi. The sunlight shines on tiny droplets of water on leaves and acts as a tiny lens and bums the foliage and the blooms die. Rugosas also are hardy under difficult conditions: high winds, salt sprays, and dry gardens. They do not need as much water as other roses and are resistant to black spot. ‘Hansa’ has clove scent and is the hardiest cultivar in the violet-red colored roses with double blooms that appear in June. ‘Jens Munk’ tends to attract aphids but they do not bother the bush. It has at least 50 buds and 50 flowers at one time. It continues to bloom into October, until the snow flies. ‘Therese Bugnet’ is another rose I enjoy. I like the red, nearly thomless canes and the fragrant, double soft pink repeat blooms.