Monday, March 21, 2011

And The Winner Is....

Every year rosarians play the same game:  Which rose will bloom first?  I always exclude the sweet 'Lady Banks' rose because she blooms so early.  Last year's winner was 'Julia Child'.  But this year's winner was...

TaDa!  'Home Run' 


'Home Run' is a seedling of the infamous 'Knock Out' rose.  So, if 'Knock Outs' work well for you in your garden, and you are wanting a smaller rose, look for a 'Home Run'.

'Knock Out' - 'Home Run'.  O.K, I get it - but why couldn't they have named this rose something a little more romantic?


'Knock Out' roses can get huge; they also have a strange metallic pink twinge that some people find offensive.  (I don't.)  'Home Run', however, has all the assets of it's 'Knock Out' parent without the liabilities.  Small in size, it stays a nice 2 to 3 ft. tall, with a rounded habit.   The blooms are about 3 in. in size, and the color is a true red.  Velvety is an accurate description.  Very slight scent.  I stuck my nose in it to make sure.  The best asset of this rose is that 'Home Run' is extremely resistant to blackspot, and is also resistant to powdery mildew.  This is one rose you should try at home!


I have 'Home Run' in the walking garden.  With its bright red blooms, and the red camellia in full bloom, it's satisfying to see.

And even though it's silly that 'Home Run' has its own web page, home-run-rose.com, the history of how they took 288 seedlings and ended up with this one rose is a very interesting glimpse into the rose world.  Definitely worth taking the time to read.

17 comments:

  1. Congratulations! It is a pretty rose. I am glad the rose season is open for you too.

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  2. Interesting! I've seen "Home Run" for sale, but I thought it was just a different color of knockout rose. It's very pretty. Congratulations on your "home run"! ;)

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  3. Congratulations on your first blooming rose of 2011! It is always so exciting when the very first rose flower is opening and of course getting the question answered what rose variety it will be this year.
    Christina

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  4. I just now got it -- Knock Out - Home Run. One of those "da?" moments. Glad your are blooming. I have some buds I am watching closedly.

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  5. I had not heard of the Home Run Rose, looks ideal for a spot in the garden where I would like to plant a rose. I see that it is available in the UK, I may well give it a try. My sister lived in Austin for a few years in the 1980s.

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  6. Hard to believe the roses are blooming already but suppost it's warm enough where you are. The gazebo you posted yesterday is quite impressive. Looking forward to seeing your planting etc.

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  7. Pretty...looking forward to the bushes blooming soon!

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  8. What a gorgeous color! The only rose I have is Lady Banks, but it's still at least a month from blooming here.

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  9. Masha - I'm so excited to see little buds everywhere!

    Shannon - I am thrilled to have a winner! Can't wait to have 'full team' blooming!

    Christina - It is so thrilling, especially since most of my garden is roses. I anxiously await the first bloom every year.

    Tufa Girl - I hope your roses bloom soon. As for the name - well, I just hope they start coming up with prettier names soon.

    Alistair - You must be well aware of the heat/drought we go through. If you do get Home Run, I hope it does well for you.

    Kelli - It is very warm. 80's. Which I like - until it gets in the 100's. The problem is the rain has already quit, hopefully not for the whole summer.

    Cat - I'm looking forward to a full flush, too.

    Stacy - Lady Banks is a good one to have. The attribute I love best is that she's thornless. I wish more roses were! I hope when she does finally bloom for you that she's exquisite.

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  10. Beautiful! I haven't seen this variety before, they look like my camellias!

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  11. That rose just glows. I planted real roses for the first time last year. I put in pink Knock Out and Westerland. I have been told that both require no spraying. Before that I stuck to rugosa roses, which I love.

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  12. Mrs. Bok - I love camellias, too!

    Carolyn - I hope your roses do well for you. I don't spray either. Sometimes the foliage isn't so pretty, but I can overlook that. I think the rose industry is realizing that's a priority for many gardeners these days.

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  13. Thanks for the link on the Home Run. Interesting! I have heard of Home Run but didn't know anyone who grew it. It's a little too red for me, but I was excited to see the pink Home Run. Does it stay smaller, too?

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  14. I only know roses as roses. You have taught me quite a bit. Interesting names! Home Run. Knock Outs, Lady Banks, Julia Child,... What next?

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  15. Toni - I've never seen the pink Home Run, but it is a sport of Home Run, meaning it is a mutation from a Home Run bush. Some sports are entirely different than the parent plant, but supposedly Pink Home Run acts just like the regular Home Run in size and disease resistance, only different in color. I wouldn't hesitate to give it a try.

    One - Each rose has its own unique characteristics. It's fun to start learning about them. They are so different - not every rose is for every garden - but it's a satisfying plant to love.

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  16. Such a great post. Count me among the list of rosarians who anxiously awaits the "First Bloom" of each year. Such a pretty rose.

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  17. Redneck Rosarian - Thank you. It really does have a pretty texture to its petals. And a nice color, if you like red. Thanks for commenting.

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