You either hate them or love them, but few people are indifferent to striped roses. Some people have an affinity for the novel or exotic and striped roses fill the bill. Although very popular in the 1980 and 90s,striped roses are not new; there are striped old garden roses like Rosa mundi (introduced before 1581) and the bourbon rose, ‘Honorine de Brabant’. Some of the striped roses might best be described as variegated, splashed or flecked with color, rather than striped but they all have a unique look that endears them to their admirers.
Here are five striped Floribunda roses. The first three are easier to find than the last two.
George Burns
The flowers are carried in clusters of three to five. The upper sides of the petals are lemon yellow fading to cream and splashed with crimson or pink stripes that are more pronounced in hot weather; the backs of the petals are creamy white. The dark green leaves are carried on a compact bush.
Origin: Carruth, US, 1996
Parentage: ‘Calico’ x Roller Coaster
Flower Size: 3.5”
Petal Count: Full (26-40)
Scent: Strong, fruity
Flowering: Repeats well
Plant Height: 2.7’
Hardiness: Zone 3
ARS Rating: 7.7
Purple Tiger
The flowers are produced in clusters of three to five. They are purple with flecks and splashes of white with pink and lilac. Mid-green leaves are carried on a compact lightly prickled bush.
Origin: Christensen, US, 1991
Parentage: Intrigue x Pinstripe
Flower Size: 3.5
Petal Count: 40
Scent: Light, sweet
Flowering: Rapid repeat
Plant Height: 30-39”
Hardiness: Zone 6
ARS Rating: 7.1
Scentimental
Flowers are produced in small clusters and have cherry crimson petals with white stripes, white petals with dark pink flecks, and many versions in between. The medium green leaves are ridged and carried on a compact bush.
Origin: Carruth, US, 1996
Parentage: ‘Playboy’ x Peppermint Twist
Flower Size: 4.7”
Petal Count: Double (17-25)
Scent: Strong, sweet
Flowering: Repeats well
Plant Height: 35-48”
Hardiness: Zone 6
ARS Rating: 7.8
Festival Fanfare
This climbing floribunda has large clusters of deep orange to pink flowers striped with lighter shades of orange or pink. The leaves are dark green and glossy.
Origin: W. O. Ogilvie ,United Kingdom, 1982
Parentage: Sport of Fred Loads
Flower Size: 3”
Petal Count: Single (4-8)
Scent: Mild to none
Flowering: Repeats
Plant Height: 10-15’
Hardiness: Zone 6
ARS Rating: None
The Painter aka Michelangelo
The flowers are carried in small clusters and are red with streaks, stripes, and flecks of cream, yellow, and orange. The new foliage is dark red before turning medium green.
Origin: Samuel Darragh McGredy IV, New Zealand, 1996
Parentage: Auckland Metro x seedling of Stars n Stipes
Flower Size: 4”
Petal Count: Double (25)
Scent: Mild
Flowering: Flushes throughout the season
Plant Height: 3-4’
Hardiness: Zone 6
ARS Rating: None