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Dr. Leda's Rose Journal Archive |
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Dr. Leda's Picks for 2001
By Dr. Leda Horticulture,
A Clinically Diagnosed Rose Addict
November 1, 2000
Now that you've cleared yourself some space (see Dr. Leda's Issue #1), it's time to decide what to plant. Are you feeling daring and adventurous, eager to crawl out on a limb and try something new? It's always a bit of a gamble to grow a brand new rose, but to me, it's also a great adventure. Of the most promising roses introduced this year, here are a few that have piqued my fancy and got me hard at work clearing the back forty.
Peter Mayle
Stand back! There's going to be a stampede when this rose hits the market. The ever-growing crowd of Romantica fans is chomping at the bit to get their hands this one. Rave reports from visitors to Oregon's Washington Park rose garden say the demonstration bush is covered with huge, voluptuous, deep rose-colored blossoms, with excellent form, long stems, and an intoxicating perfume. And so far, it appears to be healthy. Order early!
Sultry
This gorgeous hybrid tea has the honor of being chosen as the Jackson & Perkins Rose of the Year for 2001, definitely a "pick of the litter." Dramatic two-inch long apricot and yellow buds swirl open to form large, exotic, tropical, mango colored, exhibition quality flowers that have a sweet, fruity fragrance. Sounds better than a week in Maui! The photos look outrageously delicious. I'm sorely tempted.
Fabulous!
This one merits attention for having already won the coveted gold medal at Lyon. It's a lovely, clean, sparkling white floribunda with 25-30 petals, reported to have superior disease resistance. Since I live in the Black Spot Petri Dish of the Universe and hate to spray, I'm always on the lookout for that kind of virtue.
Pearl Essence
I confess I have an unearned soft spot for this rose because the love of my life is a sweet geriatric Great Dane named Pearl. But even if this hybrid tea had been called "Fifi" or "Fang," I think it would still appeal to me. The love-child of Sterling Silver and Honor, it seems to have inherited the best qualities from each parent. The color is a lovely blend of soft pearl pinks, and the 5" flowers have an elegant high-centered form, a long vase life, and a strong heavenly fragrance (thankfully, not that of a geriatric Great Dane). Glossy foliage and a 25-30 petal count promise a commendable performance. I can already visualize one single perfect blossom in a silver bud vase--could this be the rose that finally inspires me to clear my desk?
High Hopes
A new pink climber! I can hardly contain my glee. Though this rose was actually hybridized several years ago, it's just becoming widely available in the US this year. And according to folks who've been growing it, it has absolutely everything to recommend it. The soft, true-pink blossoms have 25-30 petals and a strong appealing fragrance. The foliage is reported to be attractive and healthy, the plant grows fast to about 10 feet, and--best of all--it's self-cleaning! The spent flowers fall away neatly, instead of hanging on like used tissues for weeks (like some other pink climbers we all know). I'll take two.
Long Tall Sally
I had to laugh when I heard the indomitable Tom Carruth was breeding a Sally Holmes look-alike! What chutzpah! And yet, word is he's succeeded admirably. Way to go, Tom. If the world needs anything, it's more roses like good old Sally. This contemporary cousin is a tall, vigorous, upright shrub, ideal for hedges. Salmon pink buds open to creamy white singles, with bright yellow stamens, 6-8 petals, held in huge showy clusters like Hydrangeas. Healthy, everblooming, with a pleasant tea fragrance. Hats off, this looks like a fine achievement.
Sun Sprinkles
It's quite rare to see a mini in the list of AARS winners, but this pretty little rose had won itself the honor. It's an intense, bright, sunny, and lasting yellow, with beautiful form, like tiny, perfect hybrid tea flowers. The bush is round and glossy, and provides a burst of knee-high color all season. I'm not usually a big fan of miniature roses, but this one looks so stunning and sounds so promising, I'm inspired to try it in those blue ceramic pots on my front porch. (Could be the first step down a dangerously addictive path, but, oh, what the heck. I mean, how much worse can it get?)
Brilliant Pink Iceberg
This festive creature from Tasmania is a sport of the white floribunda Iceberg, identical in every way except the cerise color. It has very few thorns, 25 petals, a light honey fragrance, and large clusters of flowers that seem to bloom most of the year. What a treat to have a variation on such a reliable old workhorse. Dr. Leda says: you can never go wrong with an Iceberg.
Dr.
Leda Horticulture
is a retired rosarian currently living in the heart of French Louisiana.
She has a few little "issues" when it comes to rose
shopping, but she can quit any time. Really.
