Marin Rose Society - Rose of the Month

FORTUNES DOUBLE YELLOW
Rose of the Month For January, 2005
by Barbara Picarelli

Several years ago I decided I needed a rose to grow on my fence. We had recently installed fencing around our back hill and it was a perfect place for climbers. I love the yellow blend roses so once I saw Fortunes Double Yellow, it seemed perfect. Greg Lowery has it in his garden, and he started a plant for me. I figured I could keep it pruned like I do the others and it would be great. It was put near the corner of the fence and grew fairly well (too well). I had read the description and it said it could get large. Quite an understatement, as you can see by the photo. It grew up into a 30 foot tree, over a plum tree, into an apricot tree and on and on. The structure at the bottom left of photos is the eve of our house which is about 15 feet above ground, and the tree with rose is a good 20-25 feet high. Even with a ladder, I can’t prune it.

Fortunes Double Yellow is a specimen that was originally found in the garden of a wealthy Mandarin in China, by Robert Fortune in the early 1800’s. The buds are short, fat and round, followed by apricot yellow blooms. There is a faint edging of red on the outer petals, and a very fragrant scent. According to Botanica’s Roses the canes are long and pliant and can be trained to grow on pergolas (or up trees). It can also be used as a ground cover, but be warned it does have lots of prickles. It is good in zones 5-9, and loves the warmer climates. Mine blooms profusely in late April early May and I’ve had cars slamming on their brakes to get a look at it. It is stunning when in bloom. Just be aware if you want a lovely climber to read those labels about it’s growth habits or you may end up with a rampant “tree rose”.

Photo by Barbara Picarelli

Previous Roses of the Month:

November, 2004
Iceberg
October, 2004
Touch of Class, Tournament of Roses, and Taboo
September, 2004
All That Jazz
August, 2004
Peace
July, 2004
Betty Prior
June, 2004
Gertrude Jekyll
May, 2004
Sally Holmes
April, 2004
Double Delight
March, 2004
Gartendirecktor Otto Linne
February, 2004
Little Artist
January, 2004
Complicata
November, 2003
Penelope
October, 2003
Westerland
September, 2003
Elina

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