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'Stretch Johnson' rose Description
'Rock 'N' Roll (floribunda, McGredy 1983)' rose photo
Photo courtesy of Rosaplant
Availability:
Commercially available
HMF Ratings:
47 favorite votes.  
Average rating: EXCELLENT-.  
ARS:
Red blend Shrub.
Registration name: MACfirwal
Exhibition name: Stretch Johnson
Origin:
Bred by Samuel Darragh (1932-2019) McGredy IV (1983).
Introduced in New Zealand by Egmont Roses in 1989 as 'Rock 'N' Roll'.
Introduced in United States by Edmunds' Roses in circa 1990 as 'Stretch Johnson'.
Introduced by Unknown (United Kingdom) in before 2002 as 'Tango'.
Class:
Floribunda, Shrub.  
Bloom:
Orange-red, yellow centre and occasionally white rim. Pink-yellow reverse.  None to mild fragrance.  13 to 18 petals.  Average diameter 4".  Small to medium, semi-double (9-16 petals), cluster-flowered, in small clusters, flat bloom form.  Blooms in flushes throughout the season.  Small buds.  
Habit:
Tall, bushy, few or no prickles/thorns.  Large, semi-glossy, bronze-green foliage.  

Height: up to 5'11" (up to 180cm).  
Growing:
USDA zone 6b and warmer.  Can be used for garden, shrub or specimen.  Vigorous.  produces decorative hips.  Spring Pruning: Remove old canes and dead or diseased wood and cut back canes that cross. In warmer climates, cut back the remaining canes by about one-third. In colder areas, you'll probably find you'll have to prune a little more than that.  
Breeder's notes:
Rock 'n' Roll - Macfirwal. Nicknamed First Walk
Patents:
Australia - Application No: 1990/129  on  12 Dec 1990   VIEW PBR PATENT
Synonym: MACfirwal. Applicant: Sam McGredy Roses International.
 
United States - Patent No: PP 7,472   VIEW USPTO PATENT
Notes:
According to Paula Ballin, this rose was named for Floyd "Stretch" Johnson, a founding member of the Milwaukee Rose Society. Stretch has been instrumental in preserving and protecting Old Garden Roses, and encourages people to grow these remnants of living history.