14 Facts About Felicitas Svejda

Felicitas Svejda was a federal scientist in Canada who developed roses that could survive Canada's short growing season and bitter winter conditions.

Felicitas Svejda led the rose-breeding program at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada for nearly 25 years.

Felicitas Svejda developed the Explorer Rose Series named in honour of Canadian explorers.

Felicitas Svejda was born November 8,1920, in Vienna, Austria.

Felicitas Svejda later moved to Canada in 1953 and settled in Ottawa, Ontario.

Felicitas Svejda died on January 19,2016, at the age of 95, in the city of Ottawa from brief complications following Alzheimer's disease.

Felicitas Svejda then moved to Sweden to work at the Swedish Association of Seed Selection for a year.

The Canadian Explorer Rose series, developed by Felicitas Svejda, made the Central Experimental Farm famous for rose breeding by creating a plant both hardy and recurrently blooming.

Felicitas Svejda sought varieties resistant to black spot and mildew, and ones with good ornamental features of flower and shrub.

Armed with patience and determination, Felicitas Svejda managed to succeed in developing a first variety with these characteristics after 8 years.

Felicitas Svejda worked with ornamental shrubs; five weigelias named after dances [Minuet, Rumba, Samba, Tango and Polka], robust forsythias Northern Gold and Happy Centennial, and three mock oranges including Buckley's Quill.

Felicitas Svejda received a certificate of merit from the Royal National Rose Society of Great Britain and the Canadian Ornamental Plant Foundation, the prestigious Portland Gold Medal, and an honorary Doctorate of Science from York University, Toronto for her scientific career and contributions to ornamental horticulture.

Felicitas Svejda was the honorary patron of the Canadian Rose Society.

Felicitas Svejda was a special guest at the official opening ceremony.