Rose Royal Sunset

Picking the “best” roses is an objective process and in this case, the ratings of the American Roses Society have been used. Every year the American Rose Society enlists the help of people all over the country to evaluate the roses they grow. Each rose cultivar is evaluated on a number of characteristics including garden performance which considers such factors as vigor and growth habit, number of blooms, how quickly the plant repeats, the beauty and lasting quality of the blooms in the garden, fragrance, resistance to mildew, blackspot and rust, winter hardiness, and quality of the foliage. The results of this survey are published in an issue of American Rose and ratings are published in the ARS Handbook for Selecting Roses.

On the basis of this survey the following five roses were selected as the best large flowered climbers.

rose casa-blancaCasa Blanca
Flowers are produced in small clusters and have a flat form.  Vigorous bushes carry  glossy dark green leaves .

Origin: Sima, US, 1968

Parentage: ‘New Dawn’ x ‘Fashion’

Petal Count:Semi double

Scent: Mild

Flowering: Occasional repeat during the season

Plant Size: 8-10’ H x 4-5’ W

Hardiness: Zone 5-9

ARS: 9.1

‘Demokracie’
Rose DemokracieAlso known as ‘Improved Blaze’ this large-flowered climber is a sport of ‘Blaze’. It bears its scarlet-red flowers singly or in cluster of about seven. Each flower is round, double, and lightly fragrant. The plant has sturdy canes and is fairly vigorous. Its large medium to dark green leaves are glossy and somewhat resistant to mildew and blackspot. Can be grown on a wall, trellis or pillar and its flowers do well in the vase.

Orign: Bohm, Czechoslovakia, 1935

Parentage: ‘Blaze’ x unknown

Flower Size: 3.1

Petal Count: Double

Scent: Light to none

Flowering: Spectacular bloom in spring followed by intermittent bloom

Plant Size: 12-15’ H x 6-10’ W

Hardiness: Zones 5-9

ARS Rating: 8.9

‘Royal Sunset’
Rose Royal SunsetLong buds carried singly or in small clusters (usually three) open to cup-shaped flowers with twenty petals. Each petal is pale orange and has hints of gold and yellow at the base. The plant is vigorous with strong stems and many prickles. The large leaves are leathery and dark green. Although not well known in most of the world, ‘Royal Sunset’ is popular in the US especially in California. Flowers do well in the vase.

Origin: Morey, US, 1960

Parentage:’Sungold’ x ‘Sutter’s Gold’

Flower Size: 5 “

Petal Count: 20

Scent: Strong, sweet, fruity

Flowering: Repeats

Plant Size: 8-16’ H x 10’ W

Hardiness: Zones 7-9

ARS Rating: 8.9

‘Sombreuil’
Rose Sombreuil 2The creamy white flowers of this Tea-Noisette are sometimes tinged with pink and are carried in small clusters (usually three), or singly. They are quartered, quilled, sometimes have a green eye, and open flat with a multitude of petals. The petals are thin and do not do well in cold damp weather but last well in the vase. The fragrance is strong and one of the outstanding features of the rose. The foliage is glossy, dark green, and disease resistant.

Origin: Robert, France, 1850

Parentage: Unknown

Flower Size: 3.5

Petal Count: 60

Scent: Strong. Sweet, tea-like

Flowering: Flushes

Plant Size: 8- 13’ H x 5-6.5’ W

Hardiness: Zones 6-9

ARS Rating: 8.7

 

Rose newport fairy 3Newport FairyLarge clusters of small, single flowers with rose pink flowers with white centers that surround a cluster of yellow stamens. The bushes are very vigorous and carry medium green glossy leaves.

Origin: Gardner, US, 1907

Parentage: Rose Wichuriana x Crimson Rambler

Flower Size: 1.25”

Petal Count: Single

Scent: Mild

Flowering: Once spring or summer

Plant Size: 12-25’ H x 8’ W

Hardiness: Zones 6-9

ARS Rating: 8.6

By Karen