I was recently at RSABG and asked a staff person there, Helen Smisko, if she could get me more information on R. minutifolia 'Pure Bea' and the librarian for whom the rose was named. She wrote me this, "Named in honor of Beatrice Beck (Mrs. Myron), RSABG Librarian and rosarian, on her 30 anniversary at the Garden. She was the first full-time librarian at RSABG (1970-2003)."

She also told me what Bart O'Brien, longtime RSABG plant guru had to say about this rose. That it was sold in one of the RSABG plant sales for the first time in 2007. He said, "It generally flowers pure white, but sometimes there is a red flash at the base of each petal. That characteristic varies a bit – like Bea herself – but it is always a very pretty plant and grows well."

Melissa

Screen shot from November 2013 download of the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden's living collection taxa list.

Melissa

Available from - Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Grow Native Nursery
http://www.rsabg.org/grow-native-nursery

http://www.cnplx.info/nplx/species?taxon=Rosa+minutifolia

From California Native Plant Link Exchange (above):

"Cultivars:
Rosa minutifolia 'Pure Bea'

California Listing:
CE - 10/89

Plant Communities:
Chaparral"

Melissa