Cape Diamond Rose Bush

History

• In the plant world, nature’s mistakes have brought about some amazing new species. Rosa kordesii is a hybrid of Rosa rugosa and Rosa wichuraiana and the result of a spontaneous chromosomal mutation. Because of this, the rose was given its own classification, kordesii, named for famed rosarian Wilhelm Kordes who bred the rose. Christian Bedard bred Cape Diamond and it was introduced in 2008 by Weeks Wholesale Rose Growers.

Description

• The first thing you will notice about Cape Diamond is its spicy scent. Kordes said that it reminded him of sweet juniper. The flowers are large, pink doubles and grow in clusters of two-to-six on long stems. The plant grows from 3-to-6 feet tall with a 2.5- to 3.5-foot spread. Cape Diamond is a prolific bloomer and blooms continuously throughout the season and can be grown as a shrub or trained as a climber.

Care

• Care for Cape Diamond as you do any other rose with the exception of winter protection -- this rose doesn’t require it in USDA zones 3 and above. Grow it in fertile, well-drained soil in a spot where it will receive at least six hours of sun every day. Water it slowly and deeply to keep the soil just slightly moist. Fertilize Cape Diamond in spring with 1/2 cup of 18-6-12 dry fertilizer formulated for a nine-month release. Place the fertilizer in a 2-inch deep trench at the drip line that circles the shrub, cover the trench and water to a depth of 8 inches. Use liquid fertilizer twice a month over the rest of the season. Rayford Clayton Reddell, author of “Growing Good Roses,” recommends fish emulsion. Mix 2 tablespoons in a gallon of water and use 2 gallons of the solution for each rose bush.

Considerations

• Cape Diamond was bred not only to withstand chilly temperatures but to resist common rose diseases as well. In fact, the plant is guaranteed to resist powdery mildew, black spot, downy mildew and rust, some of the most frustrating diseases to treat. Cape Diamond is a patented plant, so it is illegal to asexually propagate it without the written authorization of the patent holder.