Mid-winter roses
I have a climbing rose in the garden, which is yellow and red (either a climbing version of "Masquerade" or "Joseph's Coat" I suspect) and it occasionally flowers in the middle of winter. The flowers are not full flowers, but are delightful. The petals are small (about the size of a dog rose) are pale lemon/cream in colour, there are about five petals in total, and they don't appear to have the full central reproductive elements. They stay on the bush for much longer than the roses in summer do, but are much fewer, just the odd one here and there. Each summer the normal roses return in abundance, without any sign of the strange winter flowers.
I've three questions if anyone can help. First, obviously, does anyone else see these on the same, or on other species of rose? Second, does anyone know why they occur? Thirdly, and most importantly, will they still appear if I propagate them by cuttings, or is it something to do with their location and climate that wouldn't happen in a different place? I'd love to send my Mother one that does the same thing.
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Dinah, we haven't had a proper winter for a few years now, although this year may well be different, it may be a sport off the original rootstock. I think I'd trace the stems back to see exactly where they come from first. Many roses are grafted onto dog rose rootstocks or other vigorous varieties. It may be that is what is producing flowers.
I don't think they are dog rose flowers because they don't have the central organs, and they are far more yellow than cream in colour, but they fade to a creamy yellow as time passes. They are quite unusual too in that they don't ever open properly, but stay cup shaped like a tulip. We have had them appear during snowy spells too. I will trace the stems to the ground, you may be right that they are some sort of sport from the rootstock because they always appear on very slender stems that are quite different to the big, thick summer growth. That is a good clue to follow up! but then why do they appear only in mid-winter? Perhaps the rootstock is something from a colder climate - maybe northern china? Is that possible?
I must put a photograph up when they are freshly flowering (if I can master the technology)
- it's hard to explain quite how different they are in words.
From your description they are a sport from the rootstock but I'd love to see them they sound lovely.
Will get the camera in order and try to post my first picture
Hurray, at last, it's a bit late but I've managed to get some photographs. Most of the buds have gone over, but there are still about five waiting to break, and it's a sunny day so I may get more, and I'll find a fully open one later.
Dinah, I don't know where you are but that's fairly typical of some roses because of the mild early winter we've had. flowers are always welcome mind you. It does need a good prune towards the end of the month. If you can get someone to prune it for you in march you'll get plenty of flowers later in the year. It always fascinates me how much roses want to flower no matter what we do to them.
Yes, it needs pruning very much. I tend to wait till after the winter flowers have finished, because I find the flowers especially welcome at this time of year.
I will photo an open one if I can - maybe cut one and bring it in the house. I don't feel that it is winter until a yellow rose appears 
How lovely winter roses
I have no idea what they are but I wish my roses did it too.