Queen Elizabeth buds
Queen Elizabeth came home with me last summer. I found her on the discount shelf at Loews. Actually, I found a pair of Queen Elizabeth roses.
This solid pink rose was created in the United States in 1954. Second only to the “Peace” rose, Queen Elizabeth is the second most popular rose ever.
Queen Elizabeth was the first grandiflora rose whose flowers bloom singly on one stem, similar to hybrid tea roses. Grandiflora class represents the first true melding of hybrid tea and floribunda characteristics. From its hybrid tea parent the grandiflora inherits flower form and long cutting stems; from the floribunda side come increased hardiness and prolific, clustered blooms. Most grandiflora roses, although not all, are taller than either hybrid teas or floribundas.
The Queen in full bloom and fragrance.
Bred in the United States and introduced in 1954, ‘Queen Elizabeth’ was the first grandiflora rose introduced. The award-winning, pink-flowered cultivar is probably the second most popular rose of this century, after ‘Peace.’
Queen Elizabeth is truly royalty in the rose world. First of its class, known for its clear pink, double bloom, 4′ – 5’+, exhibition rose, AARS 1955, Portland gold medal 1954, ARS gold medal 1957, Golden Rose of The Hague 1968, World’s Favorite Rose 1979.
My Queen Elizabeth roses are planted in large platic containers. It’s not the most attractive planting, but it allowed me to remove them from their root-bound nursery containers. Once I find the perfect permanent home, they will be transplanted a final time.
Queen Elizabeth in the last days of bloom. Petals are rippled and pale.
So far, they have not had and insect or disease problems. Earlier, I neglected my pruning duties, so they are rather unwieldy in full bloom. Perhaps when the flowering stops, I’ll do a little pruning.
These clear pink blooms may be the perfect addition to your landscape. I found them by accident. But, now that I know how elegant thse blooms are, I am tempted to buy more.
