Rose Hot Cocoa

'Hot Cocoa' is an unusually coloured Floribunda whose flowers move through a complex range of rusty orange, brick red, smoky brown, cocoa and muted lavender-purple. It combines this unique colour novelty with vigorous growth, glossy foliage, clustered repeat flowering and generally great garden performance. The flowers are medium to moderately large for a Floribunda, ruffled as they expand and sufficiently large to be useful for cutting, while their colouring becomes especially atmospheric in cool weather and softer light. A moderate rose fragrance and a bushy, freely branching habit add to its ornamental value.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

'Hot Cocoa' is a modern Floribunda, or cluster-flowered bush rose, developed primarily as a garden ornamental rather than as a florist’s spray rose. Its most distinctive characteristic is unquestionably colour. The flowers as smoky chocolate-orange overlaid with a wash of lavender, an unusually rare tonality whose appearance is notoriously difficult to reproduce in photographs. The basic pigmentation is warm: orange-red, rusty orange and muted scarlet predominate. Over this lies a cooler greyed-purple or lavender suffusion, producing the visual impression of cocoa brown, terracotta, cinnamon, smoked brick, burnished copper or dusky russet according to flower age, temperature and light. The reverse of the petals tends to retain a clearer rusty orange-red, whereas the upper surfaces develop more of the smoky lavender overlay. Consequently the ruffled flowers show several shades at once.

This colour instability is not a defect but an essential part of the cultivar’s character. Cool conditions generally intensify the dusky, purplish and brownish effects, while warmer conditions can reveal more orange and red. The breeder specifically promoted the variety for its ability to retain an interesting smoky appearance even during warm weather, although formal patent observations did not establish a quantified level of heat or drought tolerance.

As a Floribunda, 'Hot Cocoa' succeeds because the colour novelty is carried on a plant capable of making a substantial garden display. Flowers are normally produced in rounded clusters, dense glossy foliage provides a dark background, and the plant branches sufficiently to generate repeated flowering stems through the growing season. Individual flowers have enough size and form to attract attention at close range, yet the cultivar retains the mass-flowering quality expected of a Floribunda.

FLOWERING

'Hot Cocoa' is a strongly repeat flowering rose. Under favourable conditions it begins flowering in late spring or early summer and continues through successive flushes until autumn, frequently until frost in mild climates. The flowering often is abundant and nearly continuous during the growing season.

The flowering rhythm of this rose is typical of a vigorous Floribunda: a substantial first flush is followed by comparatively short periods of vegetative renewal and further clusters. Deadheading spent clusters encourages faster rebloom, although individual petals generally detach cleanly when the flowers are spent. Because several buds on one flowering stem develop at slightly different times, a cluster can remain decorative after the first bloom has begun to age.

The plant is particularly effective when several bushes are grouped together. At peak flowering, the combination of rusty buds, newly opened orange-brown flowers and older smoky pink-brown or lavender-brown blooms produces a layered, autumnal colour effect uncommon among modern roses.

Flower bud:

Before the calyx opens, the buds have ovoid to slightly globular shape, approximately 1.4 - 2.1 cm (0.55 - 0.83 in) long and 1.0 - 1.8 cm (0.39 - 0.71 in) in diameter at the widest point. As the petals begin to emerge, they become more distinctly ovoid to globular and enlarge to approximately 2.4 - 3.1 cm (0.94 - 1.22 in) long and 1.7 - 2.5 cm (0.67 - 0.98 in) wide, the developing corolla creates a comparatively elegant outline immediately before opening.

The calyx and young receptacle are green but commonly strongly suffused with dark reddish or purplish pigmentation on sun-exposed surfaces. The sepals measure approximately 1.9 - 2.4 cm (0.75 - 0.94 in) long and 0.6 - 1.0 cm (0.24 - 0.39 in) wide. Their inner surfaces carry fine woolly tomentum, while the margins can bear hairs and stalked glands. Slender foliaceous sepal appendages may extend beyond the closed flower bud.

The peduncles are approximately 2.4 - 4.6 cm (0.94 - 1.81 in) long and 2 - 3 mm (0.08 - 0.12 in) in diameter, generally erect and comparatively smooth, although a few hairs and stipitate glands can occur. Strong flower stems help support the clusters without excessive nodding. As the calyx divides, the flower reveals deep rusty orange-red petal reverses. The cool lavender-purple overlay then becomes increasingly visible on the expanding upper petal surfaces, creating the smoky effect for which this rose is so much valued.

Bloom:

The fully opened flowers of 'Hot Cocoa' are generally about 6.7 - 10.2 cm (2.6 - 4 in) in diameter, they are considered medium to medium-large when considered within the Floribunda class. They are double, with about 17 to 27 true petals together with approximately 2 to 14 irregular petaloids. The flowers generally appear of a moderate fullness for a double form due to the arrangement of its petals. During the early opening stage the form is somewhat high-centred to moderately globular, with the petals held in a relatively tight cup. As the flower continues to open, the outer petals flatten or remain shallowly cupped while the inner petals remain slightly incurved. Petal margins increasingly reflex outward as the flower opens and the entire flower acquires the informal, ruffled appearance for which this rose is known.

The colour of 'Hot Cocoa' cannot accurately be reduced to “brown”. Just opened flowers are fundamentally orange-red to rusty scarlet, but their upper surfaces are washed with lavender to greyed purple. Where the two colour systems visually overlap they produce muted chocolate, smoked terracotta and brownish-maroon effects. The underside remains generally warmer and redder. Small pale yellow zones occur near the petal bases but are largely concealed while the flower is fresh.

By approximately the third day the warmer tones soften and may become pinker or muted scarlet while the lavender wash persists, producing shades ranging from weathered brick to dusky rose-brown. Cooler temperatures tend to heighten the smoky purple tones. Flowers exposed to strong heat may appear clearer orange-red, yet usually retain enough muted colour to remain distinctive.

The flowers are normally borne in rounded clusters of two to five or more blooms together on strong stems approximately 48 - 75 cm (18.9 - 29.5 in) long. Occasionally a particularly strong stem may present a bloom with the visual importance of a solitary flower, which contributes to the cultivar’s usefulness for cutting. The flowers last on a plant under normal growing conditions on the plant for about four to five days or longer. Cut blooms kept at ordinary indoor temperatures showed a similar approximate life. Spent petals generally fall off cleanly and keep the plant tidy, however the deadheading of the spent cluster is still advised to prevent rose hips from forming and to encourage faster rebloom..

Petals:

The petals are of medium thickness with moderately thick, somewhat leathery in substance, a useful feature in a rose exposed to sun and normal garden weather. Their upper surfaces are satiny to slightly velvety, whereas the reverse is predominantly matte to faintly shiny. This contrast in surface texture contributes to the impression of depth in the unusual pigmentation.

The outer petals have rounded to somewhat obovate shape while the inner petals are more consistently obovate. Individual petals measure to approximately 2.5 - 3.8 cm (0.98 - 1.50 in) long and about 1.9 - 3.6 cm (0.75 - 1.42 in) wide. The margins of the petals are botanically entire, although the expanding flower develops visible waviness and reflexing, while the petal apices are usually mucronate to rounded.

The petals are sufficiently firm that the flower retains recognisable structure for several days but not so stiff that it remains formal. With maturity, reflexing and slight irregularity increase, changing the flower from a comparatively ordered bud into a loose, ruffled Floribunda bloom. Ageing also alters the colour significantly - hot orange and rust recede while muted scarlet, greyed lavender, dusty pink-brown and cocoa tones become more prominent.

Fragrance:

The fragrance of the rose variety 'Hot Cocoa' is moderate, with a Tea character, with lightly spicy or cinnamon-like notes. The fragrance intensity and perceived character may vary with temperature, humidity, flower age and individual sensitivity. Its fragrance is really pleasant under favourable conditions and is stronger than that of many lightly scented traditional Floribundas.

Reproductive parts:

The flower of the rose ‘Hot Cocoa typically carries approximately 100 stamens arranged around the pistils, with some intermingled among petaloids. Filaments are approximately 0.6 - 1.1 cm (0.24 - 0.43 in) long, predominantly yellow near the base and warming towards orange above. Pollen is produced in a moderately abundant quantity. There are also typically 75 pistils present in the flower of this rose. The styles are uneven, comparatively short at about 0.3 - 0.6 cm (0.12 - 0.24 in), slender and loosely grouped. The ovaries remain enclosed within the receptacle.

The cultivar is capable of forming fruits (rose hips). Mature fruits are approximately 1.4 - 1.9 cm (0.55 - 0.75 in) long, moderately globular to somewhat urn-shaped, with smooth surface, fleshy walls and orange-red colouring at maturity. Around seven to eleven irregularly rounded seeds may occur in one fruit (hip). In a garden however, routine deadheading normally prevents extensive hip development and encourages further flowering.

PLANT

The rose variety 'Hot Cocoa' belongs to the modern Floribunda class, whose main horticultural character is the production of repeated flowers in clusters on relatively bushy plants. It is vigorous and should not automatically be treated as a dwarf bedding rose. The habit is bushy, upright to rounded and fully branched. Regular renewal growth from the lower framework helps maintain flowering throughout the season. It is useful as an individual specimen, in groups of three or more, in mixed borders, low informal hedges and larger containers. The flowers contrast especially well with blue-grey foliage, silver-leaved perennials, grasses, dark-leaved plants, purple flowers and warm apricot or copper planting schemes.

The size of the mature and well-established plants of this variety vary strikingly with climate, rootstock and pruning. Normally the mature plants of this rose grow to about 75 - 100 cm (2.5 - 3.3 ft) in height, although stronger plants in rich soil and better conditions can grow up to approximately 90 - 120 cm (3 - 4 ft) in height. It is capable of growing to relatively the same dimensions in width, from 75 - 90 cm (2.5 - 3 ft) under normal growing conditions, to about 120 - 140 cm (4 - 4.6 ft) in a warm, long-season climate with generous soil.

Full sun gives the strongest flowering and usually the best plant structure. A fertile, humus-rich soil that remains evenly moist but drains freely is preferable. Heavy soils should be improved structurally rather than simply fed, while very sandy soils benefit from organic matter and mulching. The cultivar is not documented as having any special adaptation to poor soil.

In colder temperate climates, avoid excessive late-summer nitrogen, allow shoots to mature before winter and protect the crown or graft union where temperatures approach the lower edge of its hardiness range. An earthen or compost mound around the base after the onset of winter is useful in marginal climates. Spring pruning should remove winter-damaged wood first, after which healthy stems can be shortened to maintain a well-spaced framework. In mild climates, overly severe annual pruning is unnecessary and may merely stimulate tall vegetative shoots.

Spent flower clusters can be cut back to a strong outward-growing leaf or side shoot. This prevents energy being diverted into hips and accelerates the next flowering cycle. Older, less productive canes should periodically be removed near the base to encourage growth of the new basal canes.

Foliage:

The foliage on the plants of this rose variety is abundant and one of its strongest secondary ornamental characteristics. Leaves are medium sized, dark green and glossy, creating a complimenting background for the smoky flowers as the dense dark green leaves make them appear richer and more luminous. Young growth develops much darker with strong reddish or purplish shade, another feature specifically attractive before plants start to boom. The normal seven-leaflet leaves measure to approximately 13.7 - 15.6 cm (5.39 - 6.14 in) long and 10.7 - 12.8 cm (4.21 - 5.04 in) wide. Their texture is moderately leathery to somewhat crisp, and the upper surface is very glossy. Mature foliage is deep green above and somewhat lighter beneath.

Leaflets:

The normal compound leaves of the rose variety 'Hot Cocoa' typically have 7 leaflets, with variations from 3 to 5 leaflets, including the terminal leaflet. Terminal leaflets are medium sized, approximately 5.5 - 7.4 cm (2.17 - 2.91 in) long and 3.4 - 4.5 cm (1.34 - 1.77 in) wide. Their shape is moderately ovate to somewhat oval, with rounded bases and acuminate to acute tips. The apex may occasionally incline slightly to one side. The edges of the leaflets are normally serrated, the type of serration is large and single.. The venation is typical of modern garden roses, with a central midrib and pinnately arranged lateral veins visible more clearly on the lower surface.

The rachis is of moderate thickness and somewhat rough. Its upper side is shallowly grooved and bears scattered hairs and stalked glands along the groove margins. The underside may carry stipitate glands and small prickles. Petioles are approximately 1.0 - 1.5 cm (0.39 - 0.59 in) long and 1- 2 mm (0.04 - 0.08 in) in diameter.

Stipules are approximately 1.6 - 2.1 cm (0.63 - 0.83 in) long and 0.4 - 0.6 cm (0.16 - 0.24 in) wide, terminating in moderately long points that usually project outward and may recurve slightly towards the stem.

Wood:

Mature canes are of medium thickness for the Floribunda class but display strong vigour. The plants of this rose form rather upright-bushy plants with good lateral branching. The mature main canes have medium green colour and smooth bark, whereas younger branches are brighter green. New shoots commonly show bright dark reddish-purple shades. Such pigmented juvenile growth, together with the numerous stipitate glands on the young stems distinguish this rose from other floribunds. Because of its vigour, an established plant benefits from occasional renewal pruning.

Prickles:

The main canes of the rose variety 'Hot Cocoa' are well armed with prickles. They are large on mature main canes, approximately 0.8 - 1.1 cm (0.31 - 0.43 in) long, have hooked downward shape and arise from a comparatively long, narrow oval base. The lateral branches carry fewer large prickles, generally smaller at approximately 0.3 - 0.5 cm (0.12 - 0.20 in) in length. When they are young they have bright purple red colour and as they mature on older stems their colour changes through tan to brownish shades. Gardeners should therefore not regard 'Hot Cocoa' as nearly prickless Floribunda. Gloves are advisable when pruning, deadheading the shrub or working with the plant.

Small prickles:

The mature main canes of this rose also bear a few small prickles, branches very few, while vigorous new shoots can carry many small prickles in addition to numerous glands. The lower surface of the leaf rachis may likewise possess small prickles. Their practical significance is modest compared with the larger hooked prickles, but they reinforce the rough texture of young growth. They have the same colour as the large prickles, only smaller in size and have straight shape.

Disease resistance and stress tolerance:

Rose variety 'Hot Cocoa' is generally considered as disease resistant in most climates. However in some climates this rose may be susceptible to powdery mildew and rust. In humid black spot prone climates, good air circulation, full sun, sanitation around fallen leaves and watering at soil level remain advisable. Powdery mildew can occur where roots become dry while atmospheric conditions favour infection, and rust may appear in climates where that disease is prevalent. No modern rose should be assumed completely resistant in all environments.

Also 'Hot Cocoa' performs well in warm conditions and retains its distinctive coloration reasonably well during summer, so practical heat performance appears favourable, but this should be distinguished from scientifically quantified drought tolerance. Regular deep irrigation remains preferable during prolonged dry periods.

In terms of climate stress and winter hardiness, this rose is recommended for growing in climates similar to USDA zones 6b - 9b. In colder climates similar to USDA zone 5 it will require substantial winter protection. By RHS scale this rose is rated as H6, corresponding approximately to tolerance of -20 to -15 °C (-4 to 5 °F) once established under suitable conditions. In climates with cold winters, planting the graft union below soil level, mulching or earthing up for winter and preserving as much healthy mature cane as possible improves the likelihood of successful overwintering.

The American name 'Hot Cocoa' is an obvious reference to the flower’s warm, smoky brown colouring. Unlike many fanciful rose names, it accurately describes the immediate visual association created by the mixture of orange, rust, brown and muted purple.

In Britain the cultivar was introduced commercially in 2006 under the name 'Hot Chocolate'. British rose records, including Roses UK and the RHS, associate 'Hot Chocolate' directly with 'WEKpaltlez', and the name became well established in British commerce. It is botanically important, however, not to confuse this usage with the separate Floribunda 'Hot Chocolate' (‘Simcho’) bred by New Zealand rosarian Nola Simpson. Simpson’s rose predates Carruth’s cultivar and they are distinct roses despite their similar brown-russet colouring and shared commercial name.

'Nubya' is a documented Swiss marketing name. The rose was ceremonially named at the Hauenstein display garden in Rafz, Switzerland, on 29 June 2002, with the Swiss singer Nubya acting as patron and namesake.

'Kiwi' is the name documented for 'WEKpaltlez' / 'Hot Cocoa' in New Zealand plant-variety records. New Zealand PVR records list 'Wekpaltlez' ('Kiwi') in connection with Weeks Roses and Matthews Nurseries. The regional name also conveniently distinguishes Carruth’s cultivar from Nola Simpson’s established New Zealand rose 'Hot Chocolate'.

'Hot Cocoa' received the All-America Rose Selections award in 2003, the principal American national rose distinction of its period and the award most consistently associated with the cultivar in breeder records.

In 2007 the American Rose Society gave 'Hot Cocoa' its Members’ Choice Award. This distinction is based on the garden ratings submitted through the ARS Roses in Review programme and recognizes the recently introduced rose achieving the highest member garden evaluation in the relevant period. The award is particularly significant because it reflects performance after the initial novelty of introduction rather than simply pre-introduction trial judging.

The cultivar also received an Australian National Rose Trial Garden Silver Medal in 2005.

In Britain, where the cultivar was introduced as 'Hot Chocolate', it received the Gold Standard Award in 2006 after the 2005–2006 Gold Standard trials and was designated Novelty Rose 2006. The Gold Standard programme, associated with the British Association of Rose Breeders, evaluates characteristics including health, flowering, fragrance and commercial garden value.

Contemporary British rose records also report a Certificate of Merit at the Belfast International Rose Trials in 2006.

The Royal Horticultural Society subsequently granted 'Hot Chocolate' ('WEKpaltlez') the Award of Garden Merit in 2012. The cultivar remains listed by the RHS as an AGM Floribunda, indicating continued recognition of its value as a reliable ornamental garden plant.

Some secondary rose-award compilations additionally attribute a Rose Hills Certificate of Merit in 2003 and a Rose Hills Gold Medal in 2004.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Rose variety 'WEKpaltlez' / 'Hot Cocoa' was bred in the United States by Tom Carruth during his influential period as hybridizer for Weeks Wholesale Rose Grower. The cultivar is generally dated to 2002 and was commercially introduced in the United States by Weeks Roses in 2003.

Its parentage is documented, it is a result of the cross pollination of the seed parent - unnamed and unreleased seedling bred by Carruth (which was itself a result of cross pollinations of the seed parent - Floribunda rose 'Playboy' with the pollen parent Climbing Floribunda 'Altissimo') with the pollen parent Floribunda rose ‘HARwelcome’ / 'Livin’ Easy'.

Therefore the parentage formula looks as following:

('Playboy' × 'Altissimo') × 'Livin’ Easy'

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

'WEKpaltlez' / 'Hot Cocoa' belongs to a later phase of Floribunda breeding in which hybridizers were no longer restricted to simply improving flower production. Colour novelty, disease performance, plant architecture and landscape usefulness became increasingly important. Tom Carruth’s work for Weeks Roses was especially notable for pushing modern rose colour into difficult categories including mauves, purple-reds, stripes, russets and complex bicolours. Carruth combined complicated lines into a rose that was neither simply orange nor red. The lavender overlay is crucial: without it, 'Hot Cocoa' would be another rusty orange Floribunda. Superimposed on the warm foundation, however, the cooler pigment suppresses visual brightness and creates the smoked, brownish quality that made the cultivar immediately recognizable.

The rose also proved significant as breeding material. Carruth subsequently used ‘Hot Cocoa’ as a parent in later cultivars, demonstrating that its unusual pigmentation had genetic value beyond the original introduction. Its influence can be seen particularly in the continuing Weeks interest in bronzed, russet and unconventional warm-cool colour combinations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

'WEKpaltlez' / 'Hot Cocoa' remains one of the most recognizable russet Floribundas of the early twenty-first century. Its attraction lies not in literal brown pigmentation alone but in the interaction of rusty orange-red petals with a cool lavender-grey overlay, producing a flower that changes markedly with weather, age and illumination. The combination of ruffled medium-large blooms, moderate fragrance, very glossy dark foliage, vigorous repeat growth and credible garden disease performance gives the cultivar considerably more value than a novelty rose selected only for colour. It performs particularly well where gardeners want an unusual focal colour that can bridge orange, copper, red, mauve, purple and bronze planting schemes. This rose variety incorporated the following unique combination of characteristics:

  unusual smoky chocolate-orange flowers overlaid with lavender to greyed-purple tones;

  medium to medium-large double blooms produced repeatedly in rounded Floribunda clusters;

  very glossy dark green foliage and distinctly dark reddish-purple juvenile growth;

  vigorous, well branched, bushy growth capable of becoming substantially larger in warm climates.

The propagation of this rose can be successfully done by cuttings, budding and grafting, with budding and grafting successfully performed on Rosa ‘Dr. Huey’ rootstock.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

Compared with the immediate seed parent, the unreleased Carruth seedling derived from 'Playboy' × 'Altissimo' the differences appear more than clear. The seed parent produced significantly smaller orange-red flowers with only about seven to ten petals. It also has a climbing growth habit with a larger, more spreading mature habit. 'Hot Cocoa', in contrast, produces approximately larger and fuller flowers, and has the bushy upright growth habit of a Floribunda. Most importantly, its flowers developed the unique smoky chocolate-orange colouring overlaid with lavender compared to the simpler orange-red colour of the seed parent.

The pollen parent, 'Livin’ Easy', is also a Floribunda, but its flowers represent an orange blend compared to smoky brown-orange and lavender of 'Hot Cocoa'. The patent also can be distinguished by the juvenile foliage: 'Hot Cocoa' produces attractive dark new foliage, whereas 'Livin’ Easy' has significantly lighter young growth. Mature plants of rose 'Hot Cocoa' also appear to be larger and less compact than its pollen parent under the normal growing conditions.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

Among currently available modern Floribundas, Tom Carruth’s later 'Cinco de Mayo' (‘WEKcobeju’) provides one of the most useful comparisons because both roses occupy the similar difficult colour territory between rusty orange-red and smoky lavender. Both are bushy repeat-flowering Floribundas with glossy foliage and strong garden performance, yet their ornamental effects are readily distinguishable.

'Hot Cocoa' generally produces the larger and fuller flower, whereas 'Cinco de Mayo' is typically a bit smaller and has slightly less petals. Colour provides the clearest distinction. 'Hot Cocoa' has a stronger chocolate, cocoa, burnt-orange and brick-red foundation, with the lavender wash acting almost as smoke over a warm flower. 'Cinco de Mayo' usually shows the contrast more openly as rusty red-orange blended with smoky lavender, frequently appearing brighter, more coral-red or more obviously mauve. Cool weather strengthens the smoky character of both cultivars.

The form of 'Hot Cocoa' begins comparatively high-centred to globular before becoming cupped and irregularly ruffled. 'Cinco de Mayo' tends towards a more openly ruffled cluster effect and is especially effective as a rounded mass-flowering shrub. Both are usually around 90 - 120 cm in height.

For a garden requiring the deepest brown-russet and cocoa effect, 'Hot Cocoa' remains better choice. Where a slightly brighter blend of rusty red-orange and lavender is desired, with an especially dense rounded Floribunda display, 'Cinco de Mayo' offers a related visual mood without duplicating it.

USDA 6

USDA Zone 6 - hardiness guide