Rose China Girl

_'China Girl' is a compact, repeat-flowering Floribunda from Tantau famous for its unusually persistent lemon-yellow colouring and very full flowers of distinctly nostalgic character. This rose combines the mass-flowering usefulness of a bedding rose with blooms that are fuller, rounder and more old-fashioned in appearance than those of the traditional Floribundas. The open flowers are filled with numerous yellow petals developing into cupped rosettes that remain notably clear in colour even under strong sunshine. A light, spicy fragrance, glossy dark foliage and a compact, upright-bushy plant give it value for foreground beds, small groups and containers. Its main advantage is the combination of manageable plant, excellent repeat flowering and remarkably stable fresh-yellow colour. _

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

Rose 'China Girl' is a modern garden rose of the Floribunda or bedding-rose class, marketed by Rosen Tantau as a compact Floribunda with nostalgically full flowers. In this context, nostalgic describes the deliberate combination, increasingly important in European rose breeding from the late twentieth century onward, of modern repeat flowering and compact garden performance with the rounded, densely petalled, rosette-like appearance associated with older garden roses.

The cultivar is particularly recognizable for its clear, luminous yellow flowers. Yellow Floribundas frequently change considerably as they mature: strong golden buds may open to pale primrose, cream or nearly white, especially in intense sunlight. 'China Girl' was selected and promoted for behaving differently. Its lemon-yellow pigmentation is comparatively persistent, and breeder descriptions specifically emphasize that the flowers maintain their fresh yellow colour even under strong solar radiation. This colour stability is one of the most reliable distinguishing characters of the variety.

Unlike classical Floribundas whose decorative effect comes primarily from numerous moderately petalled flowers in large sprays, 'China Girl' relies on fewer but fuller individual blooms. Flowers may occur singly or in small clusters, and their densely petalled, rounded form gives the plant a more substantial floral appearance than its relatively small stature would suggest. It consequently sits comfortably between two garden traditions: the practical bedding Floribunda and the modern romantic or nostalgic rose.

FLOWERING

'China Girl' is a typical repeat flowering Floribunda. The first flush can be particularly abundant because the flowers sit above a relatively compact mass of foliage. Subsequent flowering is good as this variety is known for having very good repeat bloom. Removing spent flower clusters encourages the next cycle and maintains a cleaner plant, although increasingly lighter deadheading toward autumn is sensible in climates where shoots need time to harden before winter.

Flower bud:

The buds are medium sized, have a broadly oval shape. The sepals are medium green in colour, have lanceolate shape and smooth surface; there are 3 very lightly appendaged sepals and 2 unappendaged sepals with white hairy edges. When the sepals start to open and petals become visible, they display bright yellow-green to yellow colour. As the sepals separate more the warmer yellow of the inner petals becomes increasingly visible, and the bud broadens rapidly. This early rounding shape of the bud eventually opens to a cupped rosette flower. The opening is relatively orderly despite the large number of petals. The pointed bud gradually enlarges into a cup and then a fuller rounded bloom. Cool conditions generally prolong the compact phase, whereas warm weather encourages more rapid expansion to an open rosette.

Bloom:

The fully opened blooms of rose variety 'China Girl' are medium to large in size, typically reach of about 8 - 10 cm (3 - 4 inches) in diameter, placing it at the large end of what might traditionally be expected from a compact Floribunda. The flowers are very full. The form is broadly cupped when opening and becomes increasingly rounded, rosette and sometimes somewhat quartered or irregular toward full opening of the flower. Closely overlapping inner petals create considerable visual depth, while the outer petals relax sufficiently to reveal the fuller centre. The fully opened flowers of this rose are often compared in effect to a small dahlia because the individual petals can appear slightly irregular or sculpted rather than arranged in rigid concentric circles.

The colour begins as a rich, clear yellow and develops into a particularly fresh lemon yellow as the bloom expands. The transformation is subtle and one of the cultivar's defining qualities is the absence of the rapid bleaching to cream or ivory seen in many yellow roses. Individual outer petals may lighten with age, especially toward the end of a bloom's life, but an established plant generally retains a recognizably yellow display really well.

Flowers typically appear in small clusters, of approximately three to five flowers together on a flowering stem, though cluster size is variable and should not be considered a fixed cultivar character. The cultivar's colour stability is especially valuable in mixed planting. From a distance, successive flowers remain visually coherent. This gives 'China Girl' a cleaner and more consistent yellow effect than many older yellow bedding roses.

Petals:

The petals are moderately substantial and densely layered. The outer petals are broader and provide the principal cup shape, while the increasingly crowded inner petals are smaller and more irregularly arranged. Their margins are commonly gently waved, folded or somewhat uneven, contributing to the nostalgic appearance of the bloom in every stage.

Petal colour is strongest toward the centre and in just opened flowers. As the flower ages, the outermost petals can soften toward lighter lemon yellow. Nevertheless, the cultivar's outstanding characteristic is durability of pigmentation: strong sunlight does not normally transform the bloom rapidly into cream. This does not imply that flowers literally do not change colour under every climate; extreme heat, drought stress or unusually long flower life can still cause some paling. The densely filled blooms generally maintain decorative form well. The flowers also have satisfactory tolerance of rain, even in climates with prolonged wet weather.

Fragrance:

The fragrance of this rose is light and spicy. The gardeners seeking a strongly perfumed yellow rose should not select 'China Girl' primarily for scent. Its fragrance is better regarded as a pleasant additional quality accompanying the flower form and colour. On warm, still mornings the spicy note may be more readily noticed, particularly in newly opened blooms.

Reproductive parts:

The reproductive organs are largely concealed while the flower is young because of the dense petal arrangement. As older blooms open more fully, bright yellow stamens may become partially visible in the centre.

PLANT

'China Girl' belongs to the modern Floribunda class, and is part of the group developed by Tantau Roses called Beetrosen or bedding roses. The plant of this rose variety is compact, vigorously producing strong, upright flowering shoots. The mature and well-established plants of this rose reach normal height of approximately 50 - 80 cm (1.6 - 2.6 ft) and reach about 40 - 50 cm (1.3 - 1.6 ft) in width. In rich soils and long growing seasons, flowering shoots can occasionally approach to about 90 cm (3 ft) or even more, while plants in colder regions may remain near the lower end of the range. It is recommended to plant five to six plants per square metre, when a continuous bedding effect is desired. In a mixed border, a little more room is beneficial for air circulation and individual plant development.

The cultivar is particularly useful near the front or middle of a rose bed, in small groups, in a sunny perennial border, and in substantial containers. Yellow combines effectively with blue and violet companions such as Nepeta, Salvia and many hardy Geranium cultivars, while silver foliage moderates the intensity of the flowers. Because the shrub remains reasonably compact, it can also be used where a Hybrid Tea would become too tall or visually rigid.

This rose requires good care for its best performance. 'China Girl' performs best where it receives abundant light, reasonably fertile and well-drained soil, steady moisture during active growth and good air movement. Under such conditions it develops a compact, leafy shrub and produces repeated flushes from early summer into autumn. In marginal, shaded, chronically wet or disease-prone situations its ornamental qualities may remain attractive, but foliage performance can be less satisfactory. Some light afternoon shade is acceptable in very hot continental climates, but excessive shade reduces flowering and encourages softer growth and foliar disease. Water deeply rather than frequently and shallowly, particularly during establishment. A mulch of composted organic matter helps maintain even soil moisture and moderates root-zone temperature.

Prune it as a Floribunda rose. In late winter or early spring, remove dead, damaged, weak and crossing wood and open the centre sufficiently for air circulation. Established strong shoots can generally be reduced to about 25 - 30 cm (10 - 12 inches) above soil level where a conventional bedding-rose framework is desired, while weaker shoots may be shortened more firmly. Gardeners in very cold climates should delay final pruning until the worst frost has passed, because some cane tips may be lost during winter and can then be removed selectively.

Foliage:

ON plants of the rose variety 'China Girl' abundant and highly decorative foliage. The foliage is usually medium to dark green, very glossy and comparatively dense. Its polished surface is an important ornamental counterpoint to the bright flowers and contributes to the cultivated, formal appearance of the shrub. Individual leaves are medium-sized, when young they are substantially brighter green, becoming much darker as they mature. Well-grown plant forms a compact green framework from which the luminous flowers emerge prominently.

Leaflets:

The leaves are compound and pinnate, normal leaves in the middle of the flowering stem normally have 5 leaflets, including the terminal leaflet. The leaflets are typically elliptic to ovate with serrated margins and an acute or shortly pointed apex; the type of serration is large and single. They have a firm, leathery texture, glossy surface and visible pinnate venation. The petiole and rachis follow the normal architecture of cultivated Rosa.

Wood:

The canes are upright to moderately spreading and branch readily, producing the dense, bushy structure desirable in a bedding rose. The vigour of this rose is expressed through repeated production of flowering shoots within a relatively compact framework. Young canes are green and become firmer and more woody with age, and the bark is smooth. A mature specimen benefits from periodic renewal by removing an older, less productive cane near its base, allowing younger basal growth to replace it.

Prickles:

The main canes from the base and the laterals from the main canes of 'China Girl' have normal to high quantities of prickles. Major prickles occur on the canes in the usual manner of modern Floribundas, and gloves are advisable during pruning and winter preparation. The prickles are large, have pyramidal shape with broad base, some prickles have slightly curved downward shape; the colour of the young prickles is yellow green with some purplish shade closer to the base and they mature to gray colour.

Small prickles:

Under a normal growing conditions the small prickles are not observed on the main canes from the base as well as on the laterals of this rose variety.

Disease resistance and stress tolerance:

The rose variety 'China Girl' has good resistance to most common rose pathogens. The powdery mildew resistance is generally acceptable to good, whereas black spot should be regarded as the more significant potential weakness. This is particularly important in humid climates with warm nights and frequent rainfall. Provide full sun, good spacing and free air circulation, remove heavily infected fallen leaves, and water the soil rather than repeatedly wetting the foliage. The resistance to rust is generally good, but should be considered as possible. 'China Girl' is a modern cultivated Floribunda and gives its best performance with adequate care and watering.

The flowers' documented ability to retain yellow colour under intense sun demonstrates good pigment stability, but this is not equivalent to whole-plant drought or extreme-heat tolerance. During severe summer heat the root zone should remain evenly moist, and container-grown plants may require especially careful irrigation.

Winter hardiness is moderate. It is commonly placed in approximately USDA Zone 6, which corresponds to average annual extreme minimum temperatures of about −20 to −17.8°C (−5 to 0°F). In colder climates it will require more proper winter protection.

There is no published explanation from Rosen Tantau for the choice of the commercial name 'China Girl'.

The New Zealand name ‘Golden Jubilee’ is especially well documented. Rosen Tantau was recorded as the owner and Tasman Bay Roses as the New Zealand agent, with PVR grant number 2784 dated 30 June 2009. ‘Golden Jubilee’ should consequently be treated as a regional commercial synonym.

The nomenclature is more complicated than the simple trade name suggests. Tanarubz and Tan00774 are nomenclature codes and legitimate identifiers encountered in catalogues and databases. Rosen Tantau's own intellectual-property records associate ‘Tanarubz’ with protection in certain non-European markets and ‘Tan00774’ with European protection.

The chronology of the name also provides useful historical context. “China Girl” was registered in Germany as a trademark for living rose plants in November 2000 and subsequently entered the international Madrid trademark system in 2001. This precedes the 2005 introduction date consistently used by Rosen Tantau in its later garden catalogues. The difference is not contradictory: trademarks, breeder selections and plant-variety protection can precede broad catalogue introduction by several years.

No major competitive rose award or internationally recognized trial distinction has been confirmed for 'China Girl' up to this date.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘Tan00774’ / 'China Girl' was bred by Rosen Tantau of Uetersen, Germany and was introduced to the market in 2005. The parentage of this rose was never disclosed and it is still regarded as a result of cross pollination of the two unnamed rose seedlings. Hans Jürgen Evers is the most likely person who developed this rose, even though official patent data do not specifically mention the breeder, because he owned and directed Rosen-Tantau from 1985 until 2007, and he is clearly stated as the breeder of other roses introduced that same year by the company Rosen Tantau.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

Rose ‘Tan00774’ / 'China Girl' is a clear example of modern rose development within the Floribunda tradition. Its flower is considerably fuller and more sculptural than a conventional twentieth-century bedding rose, yet the plant remains compact and repeat flowering. Rosen Tantau was working extensively with this aesthetic around the same period, and cultivars such as ‘Chippendale’, ‘First Lady’ and ‘Gartenträume’ , introduced in the same general era, demonstrate a parallel interest in very full, historically suggestive flower forms.

The cultivar is also important as a yellow example of the style. Full old-fashioned flowers are relatively easy to associate visually with pink, crimson and blush roses because those colours dominate the historic European rose palette. A strong lemon-yellow rosette necessarily has a more modern appearance, and 'China Girl' exploits this contrast effectively: the flowerform looks traditional while the luminous colour is unmistakably modern.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Tan00774’ / 'China Girl' is a compact yellow Floribunda whose main distinction lies in combination of the modern bedding-rose performance with an unusually full, nostalgic flower. It produces large lemon-yellow blooms for its stature, repeats reliably, maintains its colour exceptionally well in strong sunlight and carries the flowers above glossy green foliage on a compact, upright-bushy plant. 'China Girl' incorporated the following unique combination of characteristics:

  large, very full, nostalgic rosette flowers on a compact Floribunda plant;

  clear bright to lemon-yellow colour with unusually good resistance to fading in strong sunlight;

  very good repeat flowering through successive summer and autumn flushes;

  compact, upright-bushy growth suitable for beds, small groups and substantial containers;

  light spicy fragrance combined with glossy green foliage and strong ornamental contrast.

The propagation methods suitable for the rose cultivar 'China Girl' include budding or grafting onto an appropriate rose rootstock, using T-budding or chip-budding according to nursery practice and climate. Own-root propagation from semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings is also biologically possible where the cultivar roots satisfactorily, although performance and winter resilience may differ from that of grafted plants.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

The precise seed and pollen parent documentation for 'China Girl' was never published, therefore, a formal parent-by-parent comparison cannot be made reliably.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

Among commercially available Rosen Tantau bedding roses, ‘Goldelse’ offers a particularly useful comparison. Both are compact, repeat-flowering roses with large, very double flowers of approximately 8 - 10 cm and both are suitable for beds and containers. Each also possesses a warm-toned colour range and a fuller flower than the conventional Floribunda class.

The differences are nevertheless substantial. ‘Goldelse’ is fundamentally a dark orange to amber-orange rose, often richer and warmer in the centre, whereas 'China Girl' is a clear yellow to lemon-yellow cultivar whose chief colour characteristic is persistence rather than tonal change. ‘Goldelse’ generally grows somewhat lower, around 40 - 60 cm, and forms a dense compact bush; 'China Girl' is typically 50 - 80 cm and can appear slightly more upright.

The floral character also differs. 'China Girl' tends toward a brighter, more distinctly yellow rosette with numerous somewhat irregular inner petals, producing a cheerful, luminous effect. ‘Goldelse’ has a richer, heavier colour impression and a fruity-spicy fragrance that is generally more prominent. For a garden requiring a clean yellow focal point, especially where fading of yellow roses has previously been disappointing, 'China Girl' is the more appropriate choice. Where the design calls for copper, amber and deep orange warmth, ‘Goldelse’ offers greater tonal richness.

USDA 6

USDA Zone 6 - hardiness guide