My hints lead everyone astray. This rose does not contain “Sunset” or “Sunrise” in the name - though it obviously should. This is Sunbelt Crazy Love. Which honestly sounds a little like a ChatGPT name. This rose is bred by German rose breeder, Kordes and became available in the US in 2015.
I have a hard time with this name, and normally refer to her just as “Crazy Love.” More interesting though, is the rose’s somewhat mysterious parentage. If you are interested in rose genetics (as I am), there is a website called helpmefind.com where you can get information on almost any rose. Think: Scientific name, Year of patent, ect. It’s why I can tell you that Honey Dijon was created through breeding Stainless Steel and Singin’ in the Rain. But no such information is available here. All you will find is:
“The crossing was between an un-named seedling, the seed parent, and another un-named seedling.”
Everyone else is riveted by this right? I think she deserves a more intriguing name. It if were me, I would blend my love of reading and roses and christen her, “Wide Sargasso Sea.” First, because its vibrant colors and fragrance are clearly deserving of referencing someone warm, wild, and beautiful. But also because the novel by Rhys is a critique of colonialism through the backstory of the mysterious “wife in the attic” in Jane Eyre. It’s a stunning book, and I think this rose would be perfect to bear its name.
So what are the traits you can expect with this rose exactly? Its new growth is darker and oranger than its mature blooms. It starts with a deep cooper orange, and keeps a vibrantly yellow center. As the rose ages the outer petals can fade to a lighter pink. It’s a full petal rose, like Honey Dijon, and unlike the open cup form of Scepter’d Isle. It also blooms in flushes through the season, so hopefully I can keep it healthy enough to produce several rounds of blooms this year. On that note, does anyone want to come crush Japanese beetles with me?
