Rose Fourth of July

‘Fourth of July’ is a truly distinctive climbing rose, celebrated for its vibrant, semi-double flowers splashed with irregular stripes of crimson and white, often revealing golden stamens. Its moderate, fruity-apple fragrance is very refreshing and charming, while its exceptional vigour and robust health make it a reliable choice for a wide range of garden applications. This free-flowering variety offers a continuous display of colour from late spring until frost, making it a dynamic and eye-catching addition to any landscape.

FLOWERING

The blooms of ‘Fourth of July’ are a spectacle of colour and form, typically semi-double to double, comprising 15 to 25 petals. Each flower measures about 10 to 12 cm (4 to 5 inches) in diameter, often exhibiting a ruffled, informal appearance, though occasionally a more structured, quartered bloom form can be observed. The petals unfurl from pointed, ovoid buds, revealing a captivating palette of red and white stripes. These stripes are highly variable, with no two blooms being exactly alike; some may be predominantly crimson with splashes of creamy white, while others display a more balanced distribution, or even lean towards a more white-dominant pattern.

As the blooms mature, the red tones can deepen or soften, sometimes developing a hint of pink, while the white may age to a purer, brighter shades, creating a dynamic visual effect on the plant. The prominent golden yellow stamens, often visible at the centre, provide a striking contrast to the striped petals.

The fragrance of ‘Fourth of July’ is a delightful, moderate to strong fruity-apple scent, a characteristic often attributed to its parentage. This fresh aroma is most pronounced in warm, humid conditions, emanating from the petals and anthers. The rose exhibits an outstanding flowering frequency, blooming continuously from late spring through to the first hard frosts of autumn. Its flush rhythm is excellent, with new clusters of buds developing rapidly as older blooms fade, ensuring a consistent and abundant display.

While individual blooms offer a moderate vase life of approximately 4 - 5 days when cut, their on-bush longevity is superior, often lasting a week or more, allowing for prolonged enjoyment in the garden. Due to its informal bloom structure and variable colouring, ‘Fourth of July’ is not typically a rose for exhibition, but its garden performance is undeniably stellar, providing a vibrant, long-lasting show.

PLANT

Classified as a Modern Shrub or Large-Flowered Climber, ‘Fourth of July’ is a vigorous and robust plant, capable of reaching a mature height of 300 to 450 cm (10 to 15 feet) with a spread of 180 to 240 cm (6 to 8 feet). Its growth habit is upright and bushy, with strong, well-branched canes that are easily trained.

The new canes emerge with a reddish tint, maturing to a sturdy green. Prickle density is moderate, with sharp, hooked thorns distributed along the stems. The foliage is a glossy, dark green, providing an excellent backdrop for the brightly coloured blooms. The number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves is typically 5, including the terminal leaflet, the edges of the leaflets are serrated, and the type of serration is single and small.

‘Fourth of July’ thrives in full sun exposure, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to ensure optimal flowering and plant health. It prefers well-drained, fertile loamy soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). A consistent watering regimen, especially during dry periods, is crucial for establishment and continuous blooming. Pruning strategy for this climber involves removing dead, damaged, or diseased wood annually in late winter or early spring. To encourage maximum bloom production, lateral canes should be tied horizontally to supports, as this stimulates more flowering shoots along their length.

Ideal landscape uses include training over arbors, pergolas, fences, or walls, or as a striking specimen plant on a large pillar. Companion plant suggestions include clematis, lavender, catmint, or other perennials that complement its vibrant colours and provide contrasting textures.

This variety boasts excellent disease resistance, particularly to blackspot and powdery mildew, making it a low-maintenance choice for many gardeners. Integrated pest management (IPM) for ‘Fourth of July’ typically involves monitoring for common rose pests like aphids or spider mites and addressing them with horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps if necessary, though its inherent vigour often helps it withstand minor infestations.

Its winter hardiness is commendable, thriving in USDA Zones 5 through 9, and generally performing well in RHS H6-H7 equivalent conditions, though some tip dieback may occur in colder extremes without protection.

The primary trade name, ‘Fourth of July’, was chosen to evoke the festive and patriotic imagery of American Independence Day, specifically referencing the vibrant red, white, and sometimes bluish (implied by the overall celebratory theme) colours of fireworks and flags.

The registration code ‘WEKroalt’ is a standard breeder code, where ‘WEK’ denotes Weeks Roses, the breeding firm, and ‘roalt’ is a unique identifier derived from the parentage or internal naming system for the specific cross.

All-America Rose Selections (AARS), USA, 1999;

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The rose variety ‘Fourth of July’ is the creation of renowned American breeder Tom Carruth, working for Weeks Roses in the United States. It resulted from the cross of the seed parent Miniature Rose ‘Roller Coaster’ with the pollen parent Climbing rose ‘Altissimo’. The breeding work was conducted in the mid-1990s, with the variety being introduced to the market in 1999 by Weeks Wholesale Rose Grower, Inc.

‘Fourth of July’ was part of a concerted effort by Weeks Roses to introduce more disease-resistant and garden-worthy varieties to the American market, combining the vibrant, informal beauty of ‘Roller Coaster’ with the robust, climbing habit and rich colour of ‘Altissimo’.

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