General Culture:
Best grown in medium moisture, slightly acidic, well-drained garden loams in full sun. Tolerates some light shade, but best flowering and disease resistance generally occur in full sun. Water deeply and regularly (mornings are best). Avoid overhead watering. Good air circulation promotes vigorous and healthy growth and helps control foliar diseases. Summer mulch helps retain moisture, keeps roots cool and discourages weeds. Remove spent flowers to encourage rebloom. Crowns may need some winter protection in cold winter climates such as the St. Louis area. Remove and destroy diseased leaves from plants, as practicable, and clean up and destroy dead leaves from the ground around the plants both during the growing season and as part of a thorough cleanup during winter (dormant season). Hybrid tea roses in St. Louis are usually pruned back to 12-18” from the ground in late winter.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
MEMORIAL DAY is a hybrid tea rose that typically grows to 5’ tall. It is noted for its large, extremely fragrant, double, pink flowers (to 5” diameter) that appear in late May and repeat bloom throughout the summer into early autumn. Flowers are orchid pink with a lavender blush. Distinctive pink styles suffuse to red with age. Parentage is R. ‘New Zealand’ (seed parent) x R. ‘Blueberry Hill’ (pollen parent). 2004 AARS Winner. U. S. Plant Patent PP16,572 was issued May 23, 2006.
Problems:
Roses are susceptible to a large number of diseases, the most common of which are black spot, powdery mildew and rust. Although good cultural practices are the first line of defense in disease control, regular preventative fungicide applications throughout the growing season may be required, particularly in humid climates with regular rainfall such as the St. Louis area. MEMORIAL DAY reportedly has good disease resistance, however. Potential insect problems include aphids, beetles, borers, scale, thrips, rose midges, leafhoppers and spider mites.
Uses:
This rose may be grown as an accent or in small groups in borders, foundations, cottage gardens or rose gardens. A good cut rose due to fragrance and large bloom size.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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