Fortune's
Double Yellow
Origin
- Fortune,
1845
Parentage - Unknown
Color - Yellow/copper/pink blend
Foliage - Light green
Thorns - Strong
Size - 4'-5' high x 6'- 9' wide (shrub); to 15 ft.
(climbing)
Fragrance - Moderate, sweet
Repeat bloom - No
Disease resistance - Good
Hardiness - Zone 7
The
Name of the Rose - Robert Fortune (1812-80), a plant hunter,
discovered this rose growing in the garden of a wealthy mandarin in
Ningpo, China. The rose is also known as Beauty of Glazenwood
and San Rafael Rose.
This
is a glorious beauty when in full bloom but it took six years before
it ever bloomed for me! I'm still not sure what the hold up was (perhaps
it was not warm enough) but for the last two years it has been beautiful.
The blooms come early, in late April for me, and last for several
weeks. The copper buds open to yellow with a hint of pink and they
gradually become darker with age, sometimes displaying hues of orange
red. The blossoms open at intervals so the combination of all the
different colors at once is truly spectacular.
This
is a very tender rose and performs best in a warm climate. It can
be trained as a climber although be prepared to wrestle with the hooked
thorns. Left to its own devices, it will sprawl into a large cascading
mound. I have it growing on a half-moon rock wall in semi-shade which
is probably the reason blooming was delayed for me.
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