Rose of the Month Archive - 2003

America (JACclam), LCl, orange pink
RIR score:  8.3 out of 10.

Parentage: [Fragrant Cloud X Tradition]
Hybridized by William A. Warriner
Introduced in 1976

What our gardeners say:
This climbers flowers are coral pink, cupped 3.5 inch blooms with a strong fragrance. The growth is vigourous and free branching, with medium sized, semi-glossy leaves. It makes an excellent climber of lower than average height (10-12 ft.) AARS 1976. ZONES 4-9.

Mr. Lincoln, Hybrid Tea (HT), dark red (dr)
RIR score:  8.4 out of 10.

Parentage: [Chrysler Imperial X Charles Mallerin]
Hybridized by Swim & Weeks
Introduced in 1964

What our gardeners say:
Dark red, urn-shaped buds open to cupped, then flat, 4.5 inch flowers of 35 large petals with intense fragrance and superb substance. Dark matt green, leathery foliage clothes a vigorously growing bush. ZONES: 5-11.

Moonstone (WEKcryland), HT, White
RIR score:  8.2 out of 10.

Parentage: [Crystalline X Lynn Anderson]
Hybridized by Tom Carruth
Introduced in 1998


What our gardeners say:
Flowers are of hybrid tea form with ivory white petals and a fine pink edge and a mild tea fragrance - an excellent show rose. They are borne singly on long, strong stems. The bush is upright and vigorous; canes are moderately thorny, and foliage is large, leathery, and medium green. ZONES: 4-9.

Memphis King, Mini-Flora (MinFl), Dark Red
RIR score:  unknown out of 10.

Parentage: unknown
Hybridized by Whit Wells
Introduced in 2003


What our gardeners say:
Memphis King's flowers are bourne one to a stem and are dark red, double, and heat tolerant which is very important around the Memphis area. The bush is vigorous, bushy, and low growing with dark, matte green foliage. Good disease resistance and self-cleaning. ZONES: 7-9.

Touch of Class (KRIcarlo), Hybrid Tea (HT), Orange Pink
RIR score:  9.2 out of 10.

Parentage: [Micaela X (Queen Elizabeth X Romantica)]
Hybridized by Michel Kriloff
Introduced in 1984

What our gardeners say:
The large double flowers are medium pink, shaded to coral and cream with a slight fragrance. The flowers are beautifully formed, with high centers surrounded by many petals in a neat, symmetrical arrangement. Foliage is large, dark and semi-glossy on a tall, upright bush. AARS winner 1986. ZONES 4-9.

Fourth of July (WEKroalt), Large-flowered Climber (LCl), Red Blend
RIR score:  8.0 out of 10.

Parentage: [Roller Coaster X Altissimo]
Hybridized by Tom Carruth
Introduced in 1999

What our gardeners say:
Fourth of July is an explosion of color: velvety red and white striped, ruffled flowers with a moderate apple fragrance are born in large clusters. The fowers are single (10 petals) and 4 inched in diameter. The 'bush' has 10 foot tall canes with moderate prickles giving it a climbing habit. ZONES 6-7 (others unknown).

Black Jade (BENblack), Miniature, dark red
RIR score:  8.1 out of 10.

Parentage: [Sheri Anne X Laguna]
Hybridized by Frank A. Benardella
Introduced in 1985

What our gardeners say:
Flowers of 35 petals and no fragrance are typically bourne in clusters of 5 to 10 on an upright, vigorous bush with dark, semi-glossy foliage and a fairly rapid repeat bloom cycle. When the bloom is fully open, it sports very attractive bright golden yellow stamens. ZONES 4-11.

Hansa, Hybrid Rugosa (HRg), Medium Red
RIR score:  8.4 out of 10.

Parentage: unknown
Hybridized by Schaum & Van Tol
Introduced in 1905

What our gardeners say:
The flowers are an unusual color of reddish violet with mauve highlights, and open into 3.5 - 4 inch double flowers with attractively crinkled petals. Blooms in clusters with good repeat flowering. Flowers have a strong clove-like scent. In autumn, hips will become large and red. ZONES 3-9.

Dainty Bess, Hybrid Tea, Light Pink
RIR score:  8.6 out of 10.

Parentage: unknown
Hybridized by
Introduced in 1925

What our gardeners say:
Long pointed pink bud that opens to a 5 inch single flower of soft rose-pink color with maroon stamens. Typically flowers are borne in clusters of 5 to 9 blooms. The bush has vigorous, upright growth (5 to 6 feet) and deep green leathery foliage. ZONES 4-9

Irene Watts, China, Pale Pink
RIR score:  UNKNOWN out of 10.

Parentage: unknown
Hybridized by P. Guillot
Introduced in 1896

What our gardeners say:
The soft apricot-orange buds open to reveal light pink double blooms with large petals and a button eye. Small, dark green leaves cover a bushy, short, low-growing shrub that usually reaches 2 feet. Blooms from spring until fall. Irene Watts is hardier than many Chinas. ZONES 5 - 9.

Scentimental, Floribunda, red blend (rb)
RIR score:  7.7 out of 10.

Parentage: (Playboy X Peppermint Twist)
Hybridized by
Introduced in 1997

Botanica’s says:
The flowers are striped burgundy and white, or cream, or red, 4 to 4.5 inches across and borne in clusters with an intense fragrance. Flowers are double. Foliage is large and medium green. The bush grows 3 to 4 ft tall and has a compact, rounded shape. AARS Winner 1997.

Autumn Splendor, MinFl, yellow blend (yb)
RIR score:  8.1 out of 10.

Parentage: unknown
Hybridized by Michael C. Williams
Introduced in 1999

Modern Roses XI says:
Blooms are of exhibition form, 2 inches, borne mostly singly with 26-40 petals. Foliage is large, medium green and semi-glossy on a tall upright bush (30-40 inches).