'Fortitude'

Hybridized by

Brad Jalbert

New from Select Roses is 'Fortitude,' a frilly and fragrant rose named for my Aunt Marie and her inspiring women's dragon boat team, Abreast In A Boat . A substantial portion of 'Fortitude" profits help defray the costs of keeping five dragonboats operational.

True to its name, 'Fortitude' produces a strong bushy shrub and foliage with a healthy, glossy sheen. A profusion of rich satin pink flowers makes this rose a winner even in small-space gardens or patio containers. Grows to about 2.5 - 3 feet rounded. Fortitude is grown "own-root".

Ordering Your Own 'Fortitude' Rose

Please email us at the nursery if you are interested in Fortitude rose. If you have pre-ordered a Fortitude at the 2009 Rose Festival please visit the nursery to pick up your new rose spring 2010. We are busy trying to grow enough Fortitude roses to meet the demand and have a limited number of the new crop for May sales of this year. The next crop will be ready late June and another crop late fall 2010.

About Abreast In A Boat

Abreast In A Boat is the first dragonboat team of breast cancer survivors in the world, located in Vancouver, British Columbia. Thirteen years ago Dr. Don McKenzie of the University of British Columbia Sports Medicine Clinic was working with women who had breast cancer. The general advice at that time was for women to not involve themselves in vigorous exercise as it could cause serious complications. Dr. McKenzie thought otherwise and encouraged a group of patients to test his theory - in a dragonboat!

Dragonboating has a history that goes back a few thousand years, and today's modern boats are based on that history. Twenty paddlers, two abreast, plus a drummer and a steersperson make up a crew. When we compete, we race 500 meters.

Dr. McKenzie's theory proved absolutely that women who have undergone radical breast cancer treatment can indeed do very strenuous exercise and benefit from it. The rest is history. By the following year the word was out and other teams started forming. Currently there are over 130 breast cancer dragonboat teams worldwide. Dr. McKenzie received the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada for his foresight and work in helping thousands of women with breast cancer lead full and active lives. We range in age from early 30's to 83.