Related Links:  'Basye's Purple Rose', 'Belinda's Dream'
Introduced:   1982, Basye, USA
Class:  Shrub
Zones:  4b-9 (Protect in Zone 4)
Parentage:  'Commander Gillette' x
('Commander Gillette' x ['Rosa virginiana alba' x 'Betty Morse'])
Flowers:  Large, semi-double flowers.
Medium pink petals surround yellow stamens.
Size:  5 - 8 feet
Fragrance:  Good..
Diseases:  None, excellent resistance.
Of note:  Unfailing good health.

Description:
Named for its resemblance to a blueberry shrub, 'Basye's Blueberry' is a great step towards Dr. Basye's goal of breeding a disease resistant, thornless rose.  Medium pink, semi-double blooms are borne continuously from spring through fall.  Flowers only last for two to three days, so do not choose 'Basye's Blueberry' for production of cut flowers.  The best use is as a hedge, or at the back of a mixed border (perhaps grouped in three).

With rounded, somewhat grayish-green leaves and an upright habit of growth, 'Basye's Blueberry' is reminiscent of a blueberry shrub; further, its leaves age to an attractive red fall color which is similar to the spectacular fall display blueberry shrubs put on.

Dr. Basye, a retired mathematics professor at Texas A&M, has bred roses for over sixty years; his endeavor has been to breed thornless roses of great disease resistance, especially to blackspot. His efforts have paid off with some wonderful roses, including 'Basye's Blueberry', 'Basye's Purple Rose', and 'Belinda's Dream'.   It is worth stating that breeders who strive to create roses for traits such as hardiness, disease resistance, and durability should earn rose gardeners' greatest respect.  Certainly, Dr. Robert Basye and Griffith Buck are worthy of our appreciation, not only for the roses they have bred, but for the ideals they represent.