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Grandifloras |
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WHAT IS A GRANDIFLORA? By Margaret Leisner, ARS Consulting Rosarian |
| In simplest terms, a grandiflora
is a cross between a hybrid tea rose and a floribunda rose. This class of
roses was developed in 1954 when a hybridizer named Walter Lammerts crossed
the hybrid tea "Charlotte Armstrong" with the floribunda "Floradora". This
resulted in a rose that had the characteristics of a hybrid tea, plus the
ability to bear clusters of flowers on straight strong stems and grow to a
height of 6 to 8 feet. It was named "Queen Elizabeth," a lovely pink rose
which remains a popular choice in gardens to this day.
Other roses in this class are "Gold Medal," "Tournament of Roses," and the newest one, "Crimson Bouquet," which really lives up to its name as it produces clusters of deep crimson red flowers all summer long. While grandifloras are not as easily used for arrangements, they look wonderful in a garden, and when planted en masse, really make a dramatic effect. They should be pruned the same as a hybrid tea. |