Deb came to me in spring of 2000 and told me her sister had purchased a rose at Home Depot, Orange Passion. Deb wanted to go get one so they could both grow the same rose. HD had them all over the place and I was able to find a heathy one. I didn't expect much. OP was just an advertising gimmick for a big box store. Orange is one of my least favorite colors but Orange Passion probably wouldn't make it through winter anyway. The thing even looked tender. OP performed pretty well that first year and survived winter. The critter was a vigorous thing in spring and had 30+ blooms per flush. Orange Passion continued to improve and has become one of our top performing 10 roses. I think it puts out all those luscious orange (gag) blooms just to tease me. Worst thing is, OP is always a finalist in my 'best foliage' contest. Barb's Orange Passion? It never got planted and sat in her garage until it died.

Orange Passion is not cane hardy but is beside the drive so it gets lots of snow piled on it. One of our early spring growers, OP often gets set back by hard freezes in May. Spring growth is vigorous. It gets 4 feet tall x 3 - 4 feet wide. We get 40 - 50+ blooms per flush and turnaround time is average, 6 weeks or so. Blooms open slowly and Deb uses them a lot in bouquets. Vase life is usually close to 2 weeks. Only Ingrid Bergman (of our roses) has a longer vase life. Petals do usually quill as the bloom ages. Fragrance is usually nice and moderate (citrus) but every now and then it is strong. Haven't figured that one out. OP throws lots of canes. Foliage is thick and it is one of our best looking bushes. Never thought the Home Depot rose would be so good. We can't find it anywhere and Deb is determined to get a cutting (or more) to survive winter. I wouldn't mind having 1 or 2 more myself.

Blackspot is not a problem here. Powdery mildew will show up on new growth occasionally if conditions are perfect. PM has never been bad on it.

Dave

South central Montana - zone 4/5