Roy Hennessey

Roy Hennessey (1897–1968) was a nurseryman specializing in roses. He operated a commercial rose nursery in Scappoose, Oregon and published articles and books on rose production and cultivation.

Biography

Hennessey operated a commercial rose nursery from the 1930s to the 1960s. He published a column on rose cultivation in the Oregon Journal, starting on July 28, 1940. He participated in the American Rose Society's Proof of the Pudding program, in which professional rosarians evaluated new rose cultivars, from 1934 to 1941. He self-published Hennessey on Roses in 1942. He presented himself as self-taught in rose cultivation through many years experience growing tens of thousands of roses, for sale, in display gardens, and in test gardens. His last nursery catalog appeared in 1963. 'Artiste', a single yellow hybrid tea no longer commercially available. 'Flaming Ruby', a dark red floribunda which replaced the notorious 'Nigger Boy' in 1963; no longer commercially available. 'Florida Red', a red hybrid tea no longer commercially available. 'Heavenly Fragrance', a light pink hybrid tea no longer commercially available. 'Orange Smoke', an orange blend floribunda no longer commercially available.