This month we feature one of the better yellow roses to be released in the last 30 years. For many years yellow roses were often weak growers but this rose was certainly not and by further work, has led to the development of more vigorous growing yellow flowering roses.
‘Solitaire’ is a Hybrid Tea bred by Sam McGredy with large blooms of yellow flushed peach around the edges of the petals, very similar in colouring to the famous ‘Peace’ rose. The blooms are well formed, moderately fragrant and are great for picking; it has become a favourite rose with exhibitors in New Zealand where it is a favourite in the ‘exhibition’ and ‘full open’ classes.
‘Solitaire’ is generally trouble free from diseases. On the downside, ‘Solitaire’ is almost too tall producing very tall shoots particularly in the autumn. It could be grown as a climber or alternatively take the top out to encourage these shoots to branch.
A winner of a Certificate of Merit from the NZRS trials in Palmerston North, ‘Solitaire’ also won the Presidents International Trophy in the UK and is a worthwhile rose to grow, particularly if you are into showing roses.
