Roses can be difficult but I don't think they are all without merit. I have found species roses to be virtually trouble-free, perhaps not the most exciting flowers but they don't need much pruning apart from dead-heading, are usually disease-free and quite often produce good hips. Species I have enjoyed growing include rugosa, moyesii, forrestii, roxburghii and sericea. I would agree though, that a lot of hybrids are more bother than they are worth.
