Rosa Heirloom

Parent of the AARS-winning Intrigue, this lovely hybrid tea is notable for its rich lilac color and powerful fragrance.

Pointed, ovoid, deep magenta buds slowly unfurl and lighten to a soft lilac as the blooms open, releasing their strong, fruity fragrance with hints of sweet wine and raspberries. Up to 5 inches across in size and comprised of 30 to 35 petals, they are held on stems that reach up to 15 inches long, making these semidouble blooms as perfect for cutting as they are for supreme garden enjoyment. They'll grace the landscape in flushes throughout their early summer to late summer season. Best flower size and the most intense color occurs in cool conditions.

These upright shrubs reach 3 feet high and 4 feet wide, with a slightly spreading, rounded habit and are clothed in lovely dark green, semi-glossy foliage that sets off the soft lavender blooms to perfection. Heirloom has shown good disease resistance.

It should be pruned in the spring, to half height or 18-20 inches above the ground, with the removal of old canes and dead wood. Cut back canes that cross each other. Gardeners in warmer climates will want to cut the remaining canes by one-third, while those in colder climates will probably need to trim it a bit more. Requires spring freeze protection.