Therese Bugnet rose is a Rugosa. Typical of Rugosa roses Therese Bugnet is cold hardy and disease resistant. Also typical of Rugosas, it flowers with a single flush in spring. As the weather cools in fall a second, smaller rebloom may occur. This is a beautiful and highly recommended rose that would be at home in many garden settings.
Therese Bugnet, unlike many roses, is tolerant of a wide variety of growing conditions.
It is a rose that can handle sandy soil. As mentioned winter hardiness is excellent, to USDA Zone 3 (-30° F). It can handle some shade although flowering will be reduced and growth habit may be lankier. This is an excellent rose for a beginner because it can handle a wide variety of growing conditions.
The flowers are classic old rose form, with 30+ petals and a casual demeanor. Color is light pink with yellow stamens, typical of many old roses. Size is to four inches across.
Petals drop quickly, so it is not the best cut flower. What is notable about Therese Bugnet is relentlessly good health in all manner of conditions.
The thorns are serious, plentiful, and dense on mature stems. I personally find really thorny rose bushes to be quite beautiful in the winter. Certainly, there is a lot of muttering under the breath when pruning in spring. New Dawn, due to the long canes of a climber, has a way of really wrapping you up in its clutches.
Buy old roses as own-root plants
Try to buy old roses that are grown on their own roots as opposed to grafted. Reputable nurseries will be able to provide this information. The graft will be one to four inches above soil level. A photograph of a grafted rose is available here. Own-root roses tend to be smaller than grafted roses when young but soon catch up.
Especially in cold climates, Therese Bugnet should be purchased as own-root. In case of winter dieback, new shoots will emerge in spring and stay true to the desired plant species. In addition, Therese Bugnet has the habit of suckering, forming a larger colony. This is only possible with an own-root rose.
The fragrance is characterized as somewhat spicy and considered excellent.
Therese Bugnet in the landscape
It grows six feet or so high and wide. Foliage is full and healthy. Because of the informal look of the flowers as well as its naturally good shape as a garden plant, it is an excellent choice for cottage gardens, windbreaks, screens, and informal parts of the garden. Especially due to its suckering nature, Therese Bugnet is a great choice in outlying areas of the garden to provide cover for birds and wildlife.
You can let it grow wild or keep it tidy. Give it space to spread out to its natural form. Do not overcrowd. When you plant roses, dig deep, wide holes. Mix in plenty of compost as roses tend to be heavy feeders.