The Yellow Rose of Texas (flower) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rosa 'Harison's Yellow' |
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| Genus | Rosa hybrid |
| Hybrid parentage | Rosa foetida × Rosa pimpinellifolia ? |
| Cultivar | 'Harison's Yellow' |
| Marketing names | Oregon Trail Rose, Yellow Rose of Texas, R. × harisonii, R. foetida var. harisonii, R. lutea var. hogii, R. harisonii var. vorbergii, Yellow Sweet Brier, Hogg's Yellow |
| Origin | Selected by George Folliott Harison, United States, c.1824. |
The Harison's Yellow Rose, also called the Oregon Trail Rose or the Yellow Rose of Texas, is a special type of garden rose. It first appeared by accident in the early 1800s. This beautiful yellow rose is likely a mix of two other rose types: the Rosa foetida and the Rosa pimpinellifolia.
This rose first bloomed at the home of George Folliott Harison in New York City around 1824. A plant seller named William Prince started selling it in 1830. The Harison's Yellow rose became very popular. You can still find it growing wild near old homes and along the historic Oregon Trail in the western United States.
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What Makes Harison's Yellow Rose Special?
The Harison's Yellow rose has bright yellow flowers. Each flower has about 25 petals. They are shaped a bit like a cup. These flowers are about 5 to 6 centimeters (2 inches) wide. They have a sweet, fruity smell. The flowers bloom in groups in early spring. This blooming time lasts for about three to four weeks.
How the Plant Grows
This rose bush has small, greenish-grey leaves. Each leaf has seven to nine smaller parts called leaflets. The plant also has small, sharp prickles. After the flowers fade, the plant grows small, round rose hips. These hips are first green, then red, and finally turn black when they are ripe. They are about 1.5 centimeters (0.6 inches) wide.
The Harison's Yellow rose grows into a bushy plant. It can reach a height and width of 1 to 1.75 meters (3 to 5.7 feet). It can spread by sending out new shoots from its roots.
Where It Can Grow
This rose is very tough and easy to care for. It can grow well even if there isn't much water. It also does fine in shady spots and in poor soil. It is very good at surviving cold winters. It can handle temperatures as low as -35°C (which is USDA zone 4). You can plant it by itself, in groups, or even as a hedge.
History and Legacy
In 2009, the Heritage Rose Foundation planted Harison's Yellow roses near George Folliott Harison's grave. This planting is now part of the Heritage Rose District of NYC. It helps keep the history of this special rose alive.
