LOL, Margaret. I just stumbled upon this rose. Upon review of the comments and pictures, I can firmly say I will stick with Donna Summer's version and pass on the plant.
Be warned that this plant does NOT prosper in all climates. If it likes your situation you will be rewarded with a steady stream of the most unusual flowers ever seen on a rose. If it doesn't like your garden, it will sulk and produce deformed buds that never open properly, and if they do they may be a dreadful color, small and mis-shapen.
I figured those blossoms would open in my climate if any so I talked Sequoia into letting me give it a shot early on.
Vigor of my own-root specimen wasn't great. It had one of the best locations I've got and I don't think it got much over 18" at best after several years.
Once in a great while all the planets would line up and give me an acceptable blossom.
I remember seeing this one at Sequoia before it was introduced. It seemed to do better budded and in a greenhouse.
Maybe it wants a more acid soil? Overall as a garden subject a poor doer for me. The blossoms last forever, which is in this case not a good thing.
I received two bands from Paul Barden (thanks Paul!) a few weeks ago, and already have two flowers. They are extremely unique and very attractive to me. They actually have a very nice peachy/fruity fragrance, about 3 out of 5, in my garden. Petal texture truly is like plastic. Very healthy.
Jonny, Could you tell me how you were able to purchase this rose from Paul Barden? I am just so fascinated with this rose and would love to have it in my rose garden. Thank you so much.
If anyone is looking for Wedding Cake Sequoia has about 20 left . They are not listed on the web page. The lady last night they did not have enough to list on the webpage but they do have them so you must call them . Tell them the guy from Germany sent you . LOL
