Martin Frobisher

Martin Frobisher Dr. Felicita Svejda, Canada, 1961

Martin Frobisher was the first rose in the Explorer series of especially hardy varieties developed by Agriculture Canada. It remains one of the best roses in the series. The almost thornless flowers are very beautiful, in a milky pink colour, and the reverse of the petals is pure white, best seen when they curl inward to form a button. The pink colour is most intense in the centre of the flower. The flowers usually appear in clusters of 3–5 on fairly long, graceful stems, and they are suitable for cutting. Unfortunately, they turn brown before the petals fall. No hips are formed. The leaves are grey-green and healthy. The shrub is upright, vigorous, blooms abundantly and almost continuously until the first frosts. It also performs very well in hot climates.