Introduced in 1941, the Floribunda Rose ‘Nearly Wild‘ provides cheerful exuberance on a compact, healthy bush. Repeat bloom is excellent, and ‘Nearly Wild’ will thrive in zones 5 and southward. If you are searching for a rose with single flowers gracing a disease resistant plant, then consider ‘Nearly Wild’.

For another graceful single-flowered rose, consider the Hybrid Tea ‘Dainty Bess’.One of the first Floribunda roses, ‘Nearly Wild’ is somewhat reminiscent of shrubs from the Polyantha class. (It was not until 1952 that the Floribunda class was officially recognized).

The original Polyantha roses were the result of a cross between [tag]Rosa multiflora[tag] and a pink China rose. Originated by Guillot in Lyon, France, Polyanthas received their habit of producing flowers in clusters from parent Rosa multiflora, while their China lineage provided for excellent repeat bloom on shrubs of compact, attractive form. French breeders worked to further develop Polyanthas into shrubs justifiably famous for providing masses of blooms over a long season.

An important link in the history of roses, Polyanthas were crossed with Hybrid Teas (originally by the famous Danish breeders Dines and Svend Poulson) to create one of our most valuable classes of roses, the Floribundas. Floribunda roses receive excellence of individual bloom quality from their Hybrid Tea heritage, and their propensity for producing masses of flowers over a long season from their Polyantha parents.

Introduced: 1941, Brownell, USA
Class: Floribunda
Zones: 5-11
Parentage: ‘Dr. W. Van Fleet’ x ‘Leuchstern’
Flowers: Rose pink petals surround bright yellow stamens. Five petals.
Size: 3 to 4 feet
Fragrance: Good

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