Book (19 Mar 2011) Page(s) 567.
'SUNpat', Min, lp, 1992; (Little Opal); Description; Rose of the Year, Auckland 1992; (White Dream X Dicky Bird); Schuurman, Frank B.; Riverland Nurseries, Ltd., 1991
Book (2011) Page(s) 38.
Hayden Foulds. Pick of the Bunch. 'Little Opal' (Sunpat) - Certificate of Merit 1992. Given the rise of miniature and patio roses over the forty years of the trials, it is unfortunate that they have won few awards in that time. 'Little Opal' is probably the best of them all, both in the garden and as an exhibition rose. Blooms are a little large but otherwise a star in the world of small roses.
Book (2009) Page(s) 84..
David Ruston. Miniatures. 'Little Opal' (Schuurman) 1992. Gaining in popularity.
Book (2008) Page(s) 96.
Barbara Ruffles. When It Comes To Showtime. 'Little Opal' This miniature/patio rose has given me the most pleasure. It has the most delicate shadings of pink with perfect form for picking. The flowers are miniature hybrid tea shape. It is a good strong grower with attractive foliage and keeps its shape in a medium sized bush.
Book (2005)
p12 Allie King. Growing Small Roses for Cut Flowers: 'Little Opal' is clear pink and has strong stems holding big flowers.
p34. Fr. Paul G. Shannahan sm. Five Favourite Small Roses. 'Little Opal'. This lovely pink rose likes to grow and show itself off. It is a healthy medium sized bush and throws up some nice long decorative buds that catch the eye at a show.
Book (2004) Page(s) 33.
Janet Pike. Favourite Exhibiting Roses. Miniature Type Roses. Decorative: 'Little Opal'. I have had great success with this rose and have four plants. One plant in particular produces lovely fine buds, not fat and stubby. It repeats well.
Book (1997) Page(s) 111.
Nola Simpson. Final Analysis 1996-97.
'Little Opal'. (SUNpat); Schuurman 1992; 'White Dream' x 'Dicky Bird'; toned pink; 85 reports on 251 plants; 75 cms; 7.9 rating. No doubt about this one, widely grown all over New Zealand and a firm favourite with most. There is no doubt that these large patios are very popular with the followers of the little ones these days. Te Awamutu sums it up well as clear candy pink blooms that look good enough to eat, well formed exhibition shape and is lovely from bud to full open, free flowering and the foliage complements the blooms. It is suggested that the bushes should be pruned lightly to reduce the bloom size. Downy and powdery mildew cited in several reports and Bay of Plenty finds the mites are rather partial to it. Franklin says the cutting grown plants have a slow repeat of blooms and Auckland thinks the foliage gets too large. It is an excellent rose for floral work and picks well. One of the favourite patio roses grown and used a lot at shows. Needs to be watched for coarseness.
Book (1996) Page(s) 97.
Nola Simpson. Review of Newer Roses for 1995-96 Season.
'Little Opal' (SUNpat); Schuurman 1992; 'White Dream' x 'Dicky Bird'; toned pink; 24 reports on 70 plants; 1-4 years; 75cms; 8.0 rating. A truly patio rose which most reporters think is great. Te Awamutu sums it up well as clear candy pink blooms which look good enough to eat, well formed for many uses, loves it from bud to full open, always in flower, good complementary foliage but need to spray for both downy and powdery mildew. Franklin says pink blooms with deeper reverse to the petals, large and shapely with healthy large foliage, repeat rather slow on cutting grown plant. Wellington says it is struggling in a shady position. Bay of Plenty finds the mites rather partial to it, sparkling clean pink, beautiful in the spring and summer. Nelson considers it is an absolute must for all gardens. Lovely vase rose.
Book (1995) Page(s) 98.
Nola Simpson. Review of Newer Roses for 1994-95 Season.
'Little Opal' (SUNpat); Schuurman 1992; 'White Dream' x 'Dicky Bird'; toned pink; 20 reports on 80 plants; 1-3 years; 75cms; 8. I rating. This larger than normal patio has endeared itself to most reporters. Waikato and Auckland say it is outstanding and an absolute 'must' to grow, excellent for floral work and picks well. The blooms are a soft pink with a deeper reverse to the petals, good exhibition form. Powdery mildew and black spot reported from Te Awamutu, North Otago, Bay of Plenty and Southland. Foliage is quite large as well as the blooms. Obviously very popular.
Book (1994)
p44. Auckland Rose of the Year Award. "I am absolutely delighted to see Frank Schuurman, whom I consider to be a protege, win two awards this year," said Sam [McGredy]. ....
Frank Schuurman said last year he was flabbergasted to take the major award with 'Little Opal', but to take two further awards this year was a big boost for his company. Part of the success was due to using top glasshouse cut flower roses in his breeding programme.
p96. Nola Simpson. Review of Newer Roses for 1993-94 Season. Miniatures/Patios.
'Little Opal'. (SUNpat); Schuurman 1992; 'White Dream' x 'Dicky Bird'; toned pink; 22 reports on 42 plants; 1-3 years; 65cms; 7.8 rating. A new pink patio rose recently released and, judging by the reports, very well received. Blooms are definitely large for this type of rose, good HT type form, soft pink in colour with a deeper pink reverse to petals. The plant is strong and healthy with larger than normal leaf size and the foliage is dark and glossy. The flowers pick well and are long lasting, repeat is a little slow and the plants get powdery mildew at times. Te Awamutu reports black spot as well. A report from Westland says it does well on the Coast and is good for showing, although somewhat large.
