‘Betty Boop’ was hybridized by Tom Carruth from a cross of the red blend floribunda, ‘Playboy’ and the pink blend floribunda, ‘Picasso’, and was introduced by Weeks Wholesale Roses in 1999. It is classified by the American Rose Society as a red blend floribunda with 6-12 petals and a very good garden rating of 8.1.
The rose was named after the animated cartoon character created by Myron “Grim” Natwick, and first appeared in the cartoon, “Dizzy Dishes” in 1930. According to Wikipedia, “the character was modeled after a combination of Helen Kane, the famous popular singer of the 1920s…and Clara Bow, who was a popular actress in the 1920s who had not managed to survive the transition to sound because of her strong Brooklyn accent which nevertheless became a trademark for Betty…Betty Boop is important to animation history for being the first cartoon character to fully represent a sexual woman.”
Awarded the very prestigious All-America Rose Selection in 1999, ‘Betty Boop’ is the pollen parent of ‘Topsy Turvy’ and ‘Watercolors’. With its vibrant and splashy colors, ‘Betty Boop’ creates a fabulous bouquet and is an excellent choice as a garden rose as it is vigorous and disease resistant.
By Gail Trimble, Master Rosarian
Edited for the website by Nanette Londeree, March 2020
I have had 3 Betty Hoop roses in an East facing spot in Zone 6B. In Eastern Oregon. Our soil is alkaline. These roses have been wonderful. They begin blooming in May and just keep on going throughout the entire season. I prune, dead head and fertilize the plants but they are very easy to grow. Betty Boop makes me happy!
Lovely! Thanks for sharing ………….