greenrose
R. chinensis viridiflora
China
The Green Rose is perhaps the oddest rose in existance. The flowers of the green rose don't have normal petals at all, but instead have leaves for petals. These petals are leaf green streaked with reddish brown. The blooms appear to last forever - both on the bush and as cut flowers. Since the blush blooms a great deal, it is always covered in these blooms, which dissapear visually into the foliage. Just in case you might be thinking about crossing this unique rose, the blooms have no stamens or stigmas and are therefore quite sterile.
It has upright growth, with wirey green canes and sparse green and brown hooked prickles. The leaves are long and thin with a sharp point.
The bush grows well, but only gets about 3 feet tall for me since it dies back severly each winter, even though it is planted in a very protected spot near a southern brick wall. So, I don't recommend this one for colder locations such as zones 4 and 5 unless it can be given a similarly comfy spot.
It is not the most attractive rose in the world, and some of my visitors have suggested that I shovel prune it.
