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Rosa 'Julia Child'
Julia Child Rose
horticultural cultivar (Weeks Roses, USA, 2004)
Overview
Rosa 'Julia Child' is a floribunda rose forming a compact rounded habit 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) tall and wide. Canes are mid-thick with scattered prickles 0.2-0.3 inch (5-8 mm) long. Leaves alternate, pinnately compound with 5-7 leaflets each 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long, mid- to dark-green and semi-glossy. Flowers are full double cupped form, 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) wide, opening buttery yellow and holding color through bloom life with minimal fading; flowers are held in clusters of 3-5 along the stem ends. Bloom is repeat-flowering: a heavy first flush from late May through June, recurrent flushes through summer, and a second peak from late August through first frost. Fragrance is strong sweet anise-licorice, detectable 5-10 feet (1.5-3 m) downwind of the bloom. Foliage is resistant to blackspot and powdery mildew; some leaf disease pressure occurs in humid summers in zones 8-9. Mature size is reached within 2-3 growing seasons.
Native Range
Rosa 'Julia Child' is a horticultural cultivar bred by Tom Carruth and introduced by Weeks Roses (United States, 2004). The cultivar is an All-America Rose Selections winner (2006) and has no wild native range. Modern floribundas descend from R. multiflora hybrids crossed with hybrid teas.Suggested Uses
Used in mixed perennial and shrub borders, mass plantings spaced 24-30 inches (60-75 cm) apart, and as a low accent in foundation plantings. Sites with 6-8 hours of direct sun produce the strongest bloom and reduce disease pressure. Container culture works in pots of at least 7 gallons (26 L) with regular feeding and pruning. Strong fragrance suits siting near patios, walkways, and seating areas.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2'6" - 3'
Width/Spread2'6" - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
First flush of bloom occurs from late May through June in zones 6-9, with a 5-week peak. Recurrent bloom flushes appear through July and August, with each flush lasting 2-3 weeks. A second heavier peak occurs from late August through first frost. In zone 5, where canes may die back partially, bloom is concentrated from mid-June through September.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
buttery yellow, holds color without fadingFoliage Description
mid- to dark-green, semi-glossyGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Water demand is moderate; about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week supports establishment, and a 12-18 inch (30-45 cm) deep root system develops within 2 years. A 2-3 inch (5-8 cm) layer of organic mulch over the root zone moderates soil temperature and reduces moisture loss. Blackspot and powdery mildew can develop in humid summers and on plants in poor air circulation; cultivar resistance is moderate to strong, reducing but not eliminating disease pressure in zones 8-9. Aphids appear on new growth in spring; lacewing and ladybug predators reduce populations within 2-3 weeks where broad-spectrum pesticides are absent. Plants live 15-25 years in zones 5-9 with annual pruning.Pruning
Spent flower clusters are removed at the first 5-leaflet leaf to encourage subsequent flushes. Major structural pruning is done in late winter (February-March in zones 6-7), reducing canes to one-third their previous height and shortening laterals to 3-5 buds. Old canes over 3-4 years old are cut to the base to renew vigor and hold the compact 30-36 inch (75-90 cm) habit.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winterearly spring
Maintenance Level
moderateContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons