Rosa hugonis known as the "Golden Rose of China" or the "Father Hugo Rose" was introduced in the last century in 1899. Seed was sent to England from China by a missionary: Father Hugh Scanlan. Kew Gardens received the seed and raised plants of this delightful early blooming yellow species rose. Plants of it still thrive there today. Six years later it was named to honour Father Hugo.
In 1908 it was listed for sale by James Veitch & Sons nursery in England. That same year, plants were sent to the Arnold Arboretum in the U.S.

In early spring, this rose is literally covered with hundreds of 5cm (2”) blossoms in a lovely shade of primrose-yellow . The saucer-shaped flowers are single. The are borne in great profusion along the arching branches of the shrub. The habit is an upright growing bush with arching branches which are reddish-brown in colour with older shoots become nearly thornless. Branches are covered with green, small fern-like leaves. Plants are extremely winter hardy.

Like all shrub roses, these are widely recognized for their low maintenance, pest and disease resistance, fragrant blooms and extreme winter hardiness (to at least - 40°C)
Shrub roses produced from seed tend to really thrive as compared with many grafted roses because they grow on their own rootstock. These make wonderful hedges and look great in a mixed shrub border or grown as a specimen plant.

Rosa hugonis has earned both the Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1917 and the Award of Garden Merit in 1925.

Sowing: Late winter/late spring and late summer/autumn.
Pour warm water over seeds, let them soak for 24 hours until swelling is noticeable.
Seeds can be left to go through the seasons naturally or germination hastened by “Stratifying” (imitating the seasons)

The “Natural” method:
Sow 6mm deep in pots or trays of John Innes seed compost, cover the surface with fine grit and stand in water until compost is completely moistened. Label the containers. Place the containers outside in a cold frame or plunge them up to the rims in a shady part of the garden border.
Some of the seeds may germinate during the spring and summer and these should be transplanted when large enough to handle.

“Hastening Germination” by stratification:
Soak the seeds as above. Take a piece of moistened kitchen towel and fold it into four, place the seeds inside and place the whole lot into a small ziplock bag. Place this inside the fridge. Fridge’s are usually set at 4°C (39°F), this is a perfect temperature to simulate “winter” Check the bag occasionally; plant out any seeds that may have germinated. Leave for 12 week, then to simulate “spring” simply bring the bag out of the fridge, place in an area that is around 10°C (50°F)

Rose seeds sometimes need to go through two winters – so don’t throw away the tray too soon, simply place it in a shady part of the garden, check it occasionally - I have had many “surprise successes” this way, with seed that I have given up on!

Cultivation:
When seedlings have their first pair of true leaves and are large enough to handle, transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots. Pot on seedlings as required and grow on indoors before planting outside permanently.

Pruning:
Late autumn to early spring
Maintenance: In the first two years, cut out only dead, diseased or damaged wood.
Renewal: Cut back one or two of the oldest stems to 30-45cm (12-18in) above ground and repeat every one to three years. This rose blooms on old wood so take care when pruning.

Plant Uses:
Suitable for planting in a woodland. Tolerant of shade and of poor soils.

Other Uses:
Roses and Lavender, with a little mint and some lemon juice to activate the alkaloids can make both a brilliant pink dye and a very tasty pink lemonade!