Sources of the Griffith Buck Roses

During his tenure at Iowa State University, Dr. Griffith Buck developed more than 85 roses. Dr. Buck's roses are noted for their free flowering habit, disease resistance, and winter hardiness. Unfortunately, with the exception of 'CarefreeBeauty,' most home gardeners will be unable to find these roses at their local garden center. However, approximately 25 to 30 varieties can be purchased through mailorder sources. The following list of available varieties includes a brief description of each variety and mailorder sources. The sources are in parentheses at the end of the varietal description. The source list was compiled from 1996 catalogs.

• Amiga Mia---Pink flowers composed of 25 to 35 petals. Sweetly scented. 3 1/2- to 4-foot shrub. (2,10)
• Applejack---Semi-double, pink flowers. Five-foot shrub. (1,3,5,9)
• Barn Dance---Light salmon pink flowers are produced on 3- to 3 1/2-foot tall shrub. (1)
• Blue Skies---Lavender-blue flowers on 3-foot shrub. (8)
• Carefree Beauty---Loosely double, bright pink flowers. Heavy, frequent bloom on 4- to 5-foot shrub. (1,4,5,8,9)
• Country Dancer---Rose-pink, double flowers. 3- to 4-foot shrub. (1,2,3,4,6,10)
• Countryman---Light rose flowers are borne singly and in clusters of 5 to 15.
• Erect, spreading 4 foot shrub. (9)
• Distant Drums---Double, rose-purple flowers with shades of gold or tan. Strong myrrh fragrance. 3- to 4-foot shrub. (1,9)
• Earth Song---Soft rose-pink flowers are borne on 4-to 5-foot shrub. (1,2)
• Frontier Twirl---Rose-pink flower petals have yellow at their bases. Three-foot shrub. (2)
• Hawkeye Belle---Ivory white flowers with pink blush. Flowers possess strong, sweet fragrance. 3 1/2- foot shrub. (1,3,4,5)
• Honeysweet---Double, red-orange blooms possess strong, sweet fragrance. Three-foot shrub. (9)
• Les Sjulin---Coral pink flowers with old-rose fragrance. 3- to 3 1/2-foot shrub. (9)
• Maytime---Apricot-pink blooms composed of 6 to 10 petals. 2 1/2-foot shrub. (1,2)
• Mountain Music---Petals are light rose pink with light yellow shading. Sweetly fragrant. Three-foot shrub. (2)
• Music Maker---Light pink flowers are borne on 2- to 3-foot shrub. (2)
• Paloma Blanca---Ivory white flowers are produced on bushy, compact 3- to 3 1/2-foot shrub. (2)
• Pearlie Mae---Light apricot blooms on 3- to 4-foot shrub. (1,2,9)
• Polonaise---Double, deep pink blossoms on upright, bushy 3 1/2- to 4-foot shrub. (9)
• Prairie Flower---Single, cardinal red flowers with white centers. Four-foot shrub. (1)
• Prairie Harvest---Double (40 to 45 petals), light yellow flowers are produced on upright, bushy 4-foot shrub. (1,2)
• Prairie Princess---Semi-double pink flowers on 5-foot shrub. (1,2,7)
• Prairie Star---Double (45 to 60 petals), creamy white flowers on 4-foot shrub. (1,7)
• Serendipity---Orange-yellow petals with faint pink edges. 3- to 4-foot shrub. (1,2)
• Silver Shadows---Pale bluish-lavender flowers fade to white with lavender or silver tones. 3- to 3 1/2 foot shrub. (2)
• Summer Wind---Single to semi-double, orange-red flowers on 4-foot shrub. (1,2,4)
• Wild Ginger---Double, orange blossoms with shades of pink and yellow. Flowers have a fruity fragrance. Four-foot shrub. (2)

Sources

This article originally appeared in the March 29, 1996 issue, pp. , 1996 issue, pp. 40-41.