Rosa Rhapsody in Blue (Shrub Rose)

Rosa Rhapsody in Blue is a tall, bushy shrub rose boasting very fragrant, cupped, semi-double (16 petals), iridescent purple flowers fading to mauve-gray. When wide open, they reveal a bouquet of golden stamens. Rich with a strong, orange fragrance, the blossoms, 2.5 in. across (5 cm), are freely produced from late spring to fall and offer a lovely contrast against the medium green, semi-glossy foliage. Reliably repeat-flowering and disease resistant, this shrub rose is perfect for the sunny mixed border.

• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows up to 4-5 ft. tall (120-150 cm) and 3 ft. across (90 cm).
• Best grown in full sun in rich, fertile with adequate moisture, well-drained soils For best flowering apply a balanced fertilizer and mulch in late winter or early spring and a balanced fertilizer again in early summer.
• Forms a good, healthy, well-branched shrub whose striking beauty allows it to be treated as a specimen plant in the landscape. It is also a superb addition to the border, may be used for hedging and its medium size allows it to fit small gardens.
• Susceptible to blackspot
• Propagate by hardwood cuttings in autumn or by chip budding in summer.
• Bred by Frank R. Cowlishaw (United Kingdom, before 1999).