I’ve been trying to track down a specific species called the Ruskin Rose and attempt to reinstate it on its property of origin in Middle Tennessee. I have messaged breeders, nurseries, rose emporium, etc in the US and abroad but have made zero progress. Does anybody have any guidance for locating the Ruskin Rose? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
You MAY be in luck. If the rose you seek is “Ruskin” or “John Ruskin” the Hybrid Rugosa bred by VanFleet and released in 1928, then Freedom Gardens in Ohio lists is as available. However, they don’t ship so someone will need to physically retrieve it from them. There are no other US commercial sources for the rose and the only other “gardens” listing it is Friends of Vintage Gardens which used to be a nursery but is now primarily a collection of roses which has auctions several times a year. Unfortunately, they also do not ship so someone would need to physically retrieve the plant from Northern California.
If the rose you want is John Ruskin HT 1903, there are no listed US sources and the only two gardens listed as growing it are in Europe. 'John Ruskin' Rose
Help Me Find-Roses lists that both Cranford Rose Garden and Brooklyn Botanic Rose Garden has both grown it but may or may not currently have it. Probably Freedom Gardens is your safest bet as Ruskin does appear on their current availability on line. Good luck!