Missing Buck Roses Dr. Griffith Buck hybridized nearly 90 rose varieties, 15 varieties of geraniums, and a heliotrope. He was frequently and extremely generous with his work, giving away many cuttings. After Buck retired, his breeding stock was destroyed. Yet, his generosity proved fortuitous as many friends offered back cuttings. These returned gifts, and Buck’s personal collection, allowed him and his family to recreate most of his rose stock.
Today, the search continues for these Buck cultivars, missing from any known collection:
Andante (1962) - a salmon pink shrub rose with small clusters of double, cupped 4 to 5-inch blooms with a slight Sweetbrier fragrance. Dr. Buck’s notes indicate this cultivar was sent in 1962 to Dr. Lammerts, Mrs. (Dorthy?) Stemler, Mr. Thomas – Sunningdale Nurseries, and Melvin Wyant.
Cantabile (1962) - a light pink shrub rose with clusters (3 - 5) of fragrant, double, medium-sized blooms of light camellia rose with darker shading. Dr. Buck’s notes indicate this cultivar was sent in 1962 to Dr. Lammerts, Mrs. (Dorthy?) Stemler, Mr. Thomas – Sunningdale Nurseries, and Melvin Wyant.
Kissin' Cousin (1979) - a shrub rose with clusters (1 - 5) of coral pink buds with a medium rose on the reverse opening to fruity scented, double high-centered, 4 to 4.5-inch blooms that develop orange-pink tones with age. Dr. Buck’s notes indicate this cultivar was sent in June 1979 to Weston Gardener and in 1980 to Mrs. Burke (Buike?).
Paraglider (1984) - a shrub rose with clusters (1-10) of orange-red buds opening to fragrant, double, cupped, 4 to 4.5-inch blooms of orange pink, with deep apricot on the petal reverse. Dr. Buck’s notes indicate this cultivar was sent in May 1983 to Gordon Bivens, in May 1985 to the Minnesota Arboretum, and at an unknown time to Pat (Wylie?).
Pippa's Song (1984) a medium pink shrub with ovid-pointed buds which open to double petals, and have a light, pleasant fragrance. The abundant, medium-sized, leathery foliage is dark green and has good tolerance to Blackspot and Powdery mildew. The thorns are tan and awl-shaped. Dr. Buck’s notes indicate this cultivar was sent at an unknown time to Pat (Wylie?).
Pizzicato (1962) - a light pink shrub with clusters (1 - 6) of slightly cupped, double, 3 to 4-inch salmon-rose blooms with a moderate wild rose fragrance. Dr. Buck’s notes indicate this cultivar was sent in 1962 to Dr. Lammerts, Mrs. (Dorthy?) Stemler, Mr. Thomas – Sunningdale Nurseries, and Melvin Wyant.
Polka Time (1984) - an orange pink shrub rose with clusters (1-10) of salmon buds that open to fragrant double cupped 4 to 4.5-inch blooms of salmon tinted, yellow veined, flamingo pink petals. Dr. Buck’s notes indicate this cultivar was sent in May 1982 to DeNess’; in October 1981 to Joe Burks, JB Roses, Wasco, CA; in May 1985 to the Minnesota Arboretum; and at an unknown time to Pat (Wylie?).
Prairie Heritage (1978) - an orange-pink shrub rose with clusters (1-10) of fragrant, double, cupped and quartered, 4 to 4.5-inch coral pink/peach blooms, which become tinted with orange-gold as the flowers age. Dr. Buck’s notes indicate this cultivar was sent in February 1978 to Mrs. Pat Wylie, in July 1978 to Conard-Pyle, and in 1980 to Mrs. Burke (Buike?).
Red Sparkler (1967) - a hybrid tea with double, cupped-to-flat, 4 to 4.5-inch blooms of dark wine red with a lighter reverse; striped with varied widths of pale red, pink and white with an intense damask fragrance. Dr. Buck’s notes indicate this cultivar was sent in July 1976 to Reimer Kordes. As was Dr. Buck’s practice of sending roses to family and friends, not just in Iowa, but around the country too.
Do you have a Buck rose? Have you looked at your back yard lately? Could a rose that you admire or tend to be one of the cultivars being sought? Send us an email at reimangardens@iastate.edu if you think you have a missing Buck rose.
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