Griff's Red does surprisingly well in gulf coast zone 8b conditions. Disease resistant and vigorous. It is close to what I would call a true red. Vigorous and almost continuous bloom. It is a favorite of mine. A less well known rose but of significant garden value for my region.

With a little fertilizer and some room this rose will really take off once established. I've found the blooms bordering on informal, but the repeat is reliable, the fragrance is adequate, flower production is impressive, color impact is wonderful, it is an eager hip setter, it responds well to pruning, and is not terribly challenged by fungus if given a reasonable care ( I use some sulfur in the spring if it is very wet). I've been growing it for at least eight years. Took a few to really get going, but once started you can't really stop it.

Definitely not 16-20" tall. Mine is currently 3.5'. It's a very linear rose, and I'd compare it to a grandiflora in plant shape, bloom size. Like, similar dimensions as Octoberfest, but a little less narrow than Octoberfest. Well, something like that. Like between the dimensions of Octoberfest and Aunt Honey, I would say.

This rose took three years to produce the proper hybrid tea shaped flowers. When I first started growing it, I wasn't very impressed, but now that the rose is more mature I'm rather in awe of its beauty. This beautiful red rose is well worth the wait!