Rose Tree
My son made a “rose tree” out of toys for me, knowing how much I love roses. The tree had red fruits and yellow flowers, and beside it, he placed figurines of the two of us, looking up at the big rose tree together. The sight filled me with an overwhelming sense of happiness.
At that moment, the phrase “rose tree” kept echoing in my mind. That’s because one of my dreams as a rose breeder is to create a true “tree-like rose.”
My inspiration comes from a Japanese native species called Rosa hirtula. Among all roses, this species is unique for its sturdy trunk and tree-like shape. My goal is to develop a new type of rose, something that can be enjoyed as a full-fledged tree, much like plum or cherry blossoms.
However, Rosa hirtula has one major challenge: it takes an incredibly long time to bloom. It is said to require 7 to 8 years from seed to flower. In fact, the naturally pollinated seedlings I’ve been growing for 5 years still show no signs of blooming. With such a long wait for results, this endeavor might seem overly ambitious.
Even so, I began this challenge last year. I crossed Rosa hirtula with Rosa moyesii hillieri and Rosa glauca, and this year, I crossed it with Rosa ‘Schneekoppe’. Yet, I often find myself wondering, “When will these seedlings finally bloom?” Doubts creep in from time to time.
But seeing the toy rose tree my son made for me felt like a gentle push of encouragement. It was as if he was telling me, “Keep going.”
Dreaming of the day when my son and I can stand together and admire a real, magnificent rose tree, I continue to plant rose seeds today.
November 16, 2025
In Celebration of My Beloved Son’s 7th Birthday
