How long do roses live?

[John Stone]

How long does the average rose plant live?, or is there any kind of
average? My parents have a climbing rose "American Beauty" that they
planted at least 45 years ago and it is still going strong, I'd have
to call this plant "old reliable". They have cut it down to the ground
several times to paint the house and it always comes back as
strong as ever climbing on the trellis, I have grown up with that
rose bush and look forward to seeing the blooms every year, its blooming
right now. John S.

[sub rosa]

The life span of a rose depends on the rose and where it lives. There is
a rose that is over 400 years old in Scotland and someone will probably
tell you of one that is older. Of course, the species roses (wild) are
older than this. Enjoy your rose and tend it well and it will be there
for another generation to admire!

[Pete Moss]

Because roses have been so beloved for the past 2000 years it is hardly
surprising that in that time there have been claims for the biggest,
smallest, oldest, favorite, most beautiful and even for the "Super Rose of
All Time'. The oldest rose in the world which must be the "Thousand
year-old Rose Tree" on the wall of the Cathedral at Hildesheim; there
certainly cannot be an older rose still in existence. It is described as a
R. canina and continues to enjoy the best of health.
The largest rose is the Rosa banksiae alba plena which is growing in Mrs.
Burlin Devore's garden in Tombstone, AZ. By 1973 it's estimated size was
718 sq. yards and no less than 150 people can stand under its branches. It
has grown considerably since then. Thanks for asking...Pete Moss