This class was created with the introduction of the rose ‘Queen Elizabeth’, a cross between a hybrid tea and a floribunda. They are remontant (repeat blooming), produce fragrant flowers in clusters, and grow taller than floribundas. “Grandiflora” means “large flowers” in Latin.
‘Anna’s Promise’ Downton Abbey (WEKdoofat)
Because of the overwhelming popularity of the PBS series Downton Abbey, Weeks Roses introduced this rose in 2015 as the first in the Downton Abbey rose collection. It’s a fitting tribute to the lovely and gentle character named Anna Bates, maid to Lady Mary Crawley. The flowers have a unique color combination: gold with a pink blush and a glowing bronze reverse.
ZONE 6
COLOR: Yellow blend
GROWTH HABIT: Upright
SIZE: 5’–6’ h. × 3′ w.
PETAL COUNT: 35
The Kordes Parfuma collection includes only roses with extremely aromatic blooms on healthy shrubs that have exceptional disease resistance. ‘Madame Anisette’ was named after a French liqueur that shares its fragrance of anise with undertones of vanilla cream. Blooming recurrently, the doubled petals form large flowers 3.25 inches in diameter. It was introduced into the United States in 2016 and is a vigorous grower. Perfect for cut flowers, it works well as a specimen plant or in a mixed border.
ZONE 5
COLOR: Cream
GROWTH HABIT: Upright
SIZE: 4½’ h. × 2½’ w.
PETAL COUNT: Very double
‘South Africa’ has scented golden-yellow flowers with a high-centered bloom form that appear in large clusters. It blooms prolifically in flushes throughout the season. This very disease-resistant, vigorous rose was introduced by Kordes in 2001.
ZONE 7
COLOR: Yellow
GROWTH HABIT: Upright to bushy
SIZE: 4’–5’ h. × 3′ w.
PETAL COUNT: 17–25
Introduced in 2004 by Jackson and Perkins, this rose is rarely out of bloom. With an average diameter of 4 inches, the moderately fragrant flowers are golden yellow edged in either orange or pink, and they hold their color even in the hottest August sun.
ZONE 6B
COLOR: Yellow blend
GROWTH HABIT: Upright
SIZE: 5½’ h. × 3′ w.
PETAL COUNT: 17–25
The very disease-resistant foliage of ‘Sweet Fragrance’ showcases fragrant flowers in a blend of orange, coral, and yellow, aging to salmon pink. It was bred by Ping Lim and introduced by Bailey Nurseries into their Easy Elegance collection in 2007. This profusely blooming rose is a showstopper in the Peninsula Park Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon.
ZONE 5B
COLOR: Salmon pink
GROWTH HABIT: Upright, bushy
SIZE: 4′ h. × 3′ w.
PETAL COUNT: 26–40
BAILEY NURSERIES
Bailey Nurseries is a fourth-generation family-owned nursery and has earned the reputation as a leader in the nursery industry. Ping Lim was hired as Bailey’s rose breeder in 1992 to build up its rose program. Ping immigrated to the United States from Laos, and he was thunderstruck when he first saw roses planted among tropical plants. Under his guidance, the Easy Elegance rose collection was born. Bailey tests the roses being considered for this line at over twenty trial sites throughout North America for disease resistance and vigor before releasing them for sale. While Bailey continues to breed roses in the Ping tradition, Ping’s success has inspired him to launch his own business, Roses by Ping.
