South Africa® Sunbelt® Grandiflora Rose

In my first review I said the roses looked "simple", but maybe the plant's first-year blooms were underdeveloped, because the blooms it's putting out this spring are full and beautiful. I wouldn't call them simple at all. And the color is still magnificent.

I planted the 2 quart own root rose last October, and I had been anxiously awaiting the first bloom. The plant is growing beautifully, sending up new strong canes, with lots of big buds. One bloom so far, but what a bloom it is!!!The color (which often varies from catalogs due to soil and weather conditions) did not disappoint. In fact...I was stunned at how accurate it was!The deep Apricot color almost glows. And held its color for days and days, softening slightly, until it finally after 10 days it was a soft yellow with apricot edges trimmed in blush. This is my favorite color rose, and the lasting ability in direct sun,(planted on the Southwest side of my house) in Arizona, no less, proves the African Sunbelt is a winner!(I will admit, full disclosure, it is only spring in AZ, temps are only about 80 degrees. But I believe it will hold up in summer when we top 100!)

I absolutely love the coloring of these roses. The description says the blooms don't fade, but it does seem to me that the roses are more orange when they first open, and more yellow as they age. The blooms have a simple look when they're fully open.