Unfortunately my Hot Cocoa didn't survive a drought. This year a very vigorous (not Hot Cocoa) orange/red rose has come up from the root system. It doesn't have the scent that Hot Cocoa did. It isn't as dark red as Hot Cocoa. What could it be? It is blooming vigorously with very long very thorny stem-shoots and clusters of roses from the very top of the shoots. My original Hot Cocoa came from the Antique Rose Emporium.

If you are looking for an absolutely gigantic plant Armed with thorns that would scare the life out of anybody, this is it! It grows like a weed in Southern CA and in my opinion looks like a weed too. It grows awkwardly sending up huge clusters of blooms right up into the sky. I'm not a fan of the color but wanted to try it out anyways. I found it to be just TOO HUGE, small unshapely blooms, no fragrance, and blooms that fade real quick, this is a very boring rose and just another one of these modern introductions that reminds me of a knockout in almost every manner.