The story I've been told is that Buck had very little in the way of funding
for his college based project. So when he developed a new cultivar, he
would stick it in the ground and wish it well. If it was still alive after
3 years, he'd go to the next step and try to market it.

The upshot of this is a very hardy rose, both in regards to climate (hot and
cold) and disease resistance. I can tell you I don't spray my Buck's, and
they have yet to develop black spot, which is alive and living large here in
Michigan.

Interesting side note: the Buck rose line almost faded into oblivion due to
a lack of interest in marketing on the part of Buck. (its said he was
allergic to the smell of roses. The story goes the name Distant Drum was
based on the fact the he could smell it from a great distant, and it made
him wheeze!)

Jeff, Southeast Michigan, zone 5



"Gail Futoran" wrote in message
...
"Jeffrey L. Kline" wrote in message
. net...
I have two distant drums in pots as well as a country music and a hi
neighbor in the ground. All very nice although smallish at this point. I
have 35 bucks in 5 inch pots under lights in my basement, and they are
blooming like crazy. Cute. Word around here is that they are very hardy.
The old Ford estate, (like in Ford motor company) has a big collection
that is quite outstanding.

Jeff Southeast Michigan, zone 5

The (the Ford estate collection) would be well
worth seeing.

Re hardiness of Bucks: I think that refers
to cold tolerance, right? That I don't have
problems with. I've noticed the Distant
Drums tolerate heat quite well, continuing
to bloom in the summer when many other
modern roses in my collection have
decided to wait for the fall cool-down.

Gail
near San Antonio TX Zone 8