Rose Midsummer

‘Midsummer’ is a vigorous, warm-coloured Floribunda rose unique for unusually substantial, nostalgically formed flowers in a shifting blend of golden yellow, orange, coral and red. The flowers combine the clustering habit expected of a Floribunda with something of the formal substance and stem quality of a Hybrid Tea, a dual character that has led to occasional differences in commercial and exhibition classification. Its glossy foliage, upright yet compact growth and recurrent flowering make it effective both as a bedding rose and as a specimen for mixed borders, while the comparatively long-lasting flowers are also useful for cutting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

‘Midsummer’ belongs horticulturally to the modern Floribunda roses, although its floral display is more elaborate than that of many traditional Floribundas. Rosen Tantau classes it specifically among its Nostalgie bedding roses and emphasizes its vigorous growth, medium-sized red-and-yellow flowers, strong flowering stems and classical clusters. The individual blooms may have the size, substance and relatively formal presentation, similar to a small Hybrid Teas, yet they are commonly borne several to a stem and the plant behaves as a repeat-flowering bedding rose.

Its main feature is colour, that defines the summer itself. ‘Midsummer’ is a bicoloured rose whose petals display different tones on their inner and reverse surfaces. The upper surface of the opening flower is generally orange-pink to coral-red, sometimes becoming a clearer warm red as it matures, while the reverse of the petals retains a conspicuous golden-yellow tone. Yellow undertones remain visible toward the centre, particularly in recently opened blooms. Because the petals curve, fold and quarter as the flower develops, their yellow reverses repeatedly appear between the warmer upper surfaces, producing a luminous, almost flame-like effect. Rosen Tantau formally lists the colour group as yellow, orange and red.

This combination of colour, relatively full flowers and clustered presentation gives ‘Midsummer’ considerable garden presence without requiring the very large stature of many nostalgic shrub roses. It is particularly suited to schemes based on apricot, copper, warm pink, bronze and deep red, but its yellow reverses also allow it to associate successfully with yellow-flowered perennials and ornamental grasses. The cultivar remains commercially relevant because it occupies a useful middle ground: more romantically shaped than a conventional bedding Floribunda, more floriferous in effect than a strictly exhibition-oriented Hybrid Tea, and sufficiently compact for ordinary domestic borders. Its international trial history further demonstrates that this appearance has remained attractive to both professional judges and the gardening public.

FLOWERING

‘Midsummer’ is a repeat-flowering rose, beginning in early summer and producing successive flushes through the growing season. In central and northern European climates it generally blooms from June into September or October, depending on climate. The established plants normally show recognizable flowering cycles: a strong first flush is followed by a period of renewed shoot growth and then further flowering flushes. Regular deadheading, adequate moisture and feeding after the first major flush help shorten the intervals between these cycles, and generally this rose is rich and long-lasting.

The flowering effect is substantial because several individually prominent flowers may be carried together on branching stems. A mature plant consequently reads from a distance as a mass of coral-red and orange, while closer inspection reveals the yellow petal reverses and more intricate quartered centres. The flowers also have unusually useful durability for a bedding rose, and also they show good vase performance, so stems may be taken for informal arrangements without sacrificing the cultivar’s identity as a garden Floribunda.

Flower bud:

The flower buds have ovoid to somewhat pointed shape before the sepals reflex, becoming visibly yellow-orange and red as the petals emerge. The calyx is medium green in colour strongly suffused with dark purple red, with the five sepals of a lanceolate shape narrowing toward their tips in the usual manner for cultivated roses. There are typically 3 lightly appendaged sepals and 2 unappendaged sepals with gray white hairy edges. The coloured outer petals increasingly dominate the bud as it unfolds, and the yellow reverse becomes especially visible along folded margins.

The peduncles are long, erect and stiff, well capable of holding the flowers. The colour of the peduncles is medium green, often strongly suffused with bronze red, especially from the side turned to sun and has a smooth surface. The receptacle is chalice shaped, small and has medium green colour with bronze red tint.

Flowers appear on strong stalks in classical clusters, a feature consistent with their use for cutting. Buds usually open through a relatively orderly, rather Hybrid-Tea-like stage before the multiplication of petals produces a fuller cup.

Bloom:

The open flowers of the rose variety ‘Midsummer’ are medium to large in size, normally about 6 - 8 cm (2.4 - 3.1 in) in diameter, although sometimes somewhat larger flowers under favourable cultivation may appear. They are double to very double, generally with roughly 30 - 40 petals. The form begins relatively compact and rounded, then develops into a cup or shallow globular bloom with the centre becoming lightly quartered, they have nostalgic fullness without becoming as densely packed as the most extreme Old rose styled hybrids.

Colour is dynamic both within an individual flower and across the cluster. Newly opening petals may show considerable golden yellow and warm orange, especially toward the centre and on their reverses. Their exposed upper surfaces deepen through orange-pink and coral to light warm red; ageing flowers can therefore look redder or pinker than newly opened ones on the same stem. Temperature, sunlight and stage of opening can modify the balance of these pigments. The result is a cluster in which several related colours are usually visible simultaneously rather than a uniformly coloured cluster.

Flowers are normally borne in small to medium sized clusters, the size of the cluster varies very much and most likely depends on care and climate, from 3 to 30 blooms together per flowering cluster. Their individual size and weight give each bloom a separate visual identity, and this partly explains why the cultivar has sometimes been treated as a Hybrid Tea in shows and commercial catalogues. Nevertheless, the repeated production of clustered flowering stems and the overall bedding habit justify its principal Floribunda classification.

Petals:

The petals are sufficiently substantial to give the flower good persistence both on the plant and after cutting. They are broad and ovate, with smooth to lightly undulating margins; as the bloom expands, outer petals turn outward while the inner petals remain more tightly folded and irregularly quartered.

The bicolour is particularly important botanically and ornamentally because the petal reverse differs conspicuously from the exposed inner surface. Golden-yellow reverse fades to much lighter almost to silvery white with yellow tones closer to the base and strongly suffused with pink and warm red towards the edges as the petals age. The upper surface with age becomes lighter and more uniformly transitions from orange-pink, coral or warm red to more warm red and pink. Flowers tend to retain a lively colour and not bleaching rapidly to very pale tones, although intense sun and ageing may soften the strongest colours. Their reported longevity is one reason ‘Midsummer’ performs unusually well as a cut Floribunda.

Fragrance:

Fragrance is present but should not be regarded as the primary feature of ‘Midsummer’. The scent is light and fresh, sometimes varying from light or mild to medium. Such variation is normal because temperature, humidity, flower age and even the observer’s sensitivity influence perceived fragrance.

Reproductive parts:

The yellow stamens and stigmas may become visible when a bloom opens sufficiently, but sthey are not represent a decorative value.

PLANT

The rose variety ‘Midsummer’ is classified as Floribunda rose. Floribundas historically arose from breeding that brought the cluster-flowering qualities of Polyantha roses together with the larger, more formal flowers of Hybrid Teas, but this general class history must not be interpreted as the documented immediate parentage of ‘Midsummer’. The plants of this variety typically form a vigorous, upright, bushy and comparatively compact plant about 70 - 120 cm (2.3 - 3.9 ft) high and of about 50 - 80 cm (1.6 - 2.6 ft) in width under ordinary garden conditions; richer soils and warm climates may produce somewhat larger plants.

Its growth habit makes it useful near the middle of a mixed border, in dedicated rose beds, in small groups and, provided a generous container is used, as a patio specimen. It is advised to have four to five plants per square metre, corresponding to about 45 - 50 cm (18 - 20 in) between plants in mass bedding. Strong flower stems and good vase life add a cut-flower quality, which is uncommon in some low-growing bedding Floribundas. In mixed planting it benefits from low companion plants that shade the soil without crowding the base or restricting airflow. And it is specifically recommended for perennial gardens, mixed planting and vase cutting.

For best results, grow this rose in an open, sunny position in fertile, humus-rich but freely drained soil. Light afternoon shade can be useful in very hot continental climates, but persistent deep shade will generally reduce flowering and increase the likelihood of foliar disease. Water deeply during establishment and in extended dry periods rather than relying on frequent superficial irrigation. Mulching after spring feeding helps regulate soil temperature and moisture while reducing soil splash onto lower leaves.

Pruning should follow the normal regime for a vigorous Floribunda instead of severe annual shortening once routinely given to exhibition Hybrid Teas. In late winter or at the beginning of renewed spring growth, remove dead, damaged, diseased and crossing wood, thin crowded centres and shorten remaining flowering shoots to maintain a balanced structure of the plant. In colder climates pruning should be delayed until the harshest frost risk has passed. During summer, removing spent clusters encourages renewed shoots and a tidier second and subsequent flush.

Foliage:

There is a normal quantity of the foliage on the plants of this rose variety and it plays an important role in ornamental display of the plant. The leaves are large and glossy, and have medium- to dark-green colour; the young growth and foliage often shows highly ornamental bronze red shades. Their relatively broad, polished surface provides an effective background for the bright and warm flowers and helps the plant retain a substantial appearance between flowering flushes. The leaves are deciduous in cold climates and may persist longer in mild winters. Healthy, well-fed plants can form a dense leafy framework, but excessive nitrogen should be avoided because overly soft growth is less desirable for disease resistance and winter ripening. Good air circulation remains important even where the cultivar is reported as having satisfactory foliar health.

Leaflets:

The pinnately compound leaves normally carry 5 to 7 leaflets, with occasional count of 3 leaflets closer to the flowering cluster, including the terminal leaflet. The terminal leaflet is typically ovate to elliptic with an acute or acuminate tip, while the lateral leaflets are smaller. The leaflets have leathery, glossy and thick texture, the edges are serrated, the type of serration is medium sized and double. Venation is pinnate and visibly impressed to varying degrees on mature leaves. The petiole and rachis are green and support the fairly substantial leaf blade. Such combination of broad, glossy leaflets and strong upright shoots gives the plant the polished foliage appearance expected of a modern intensively selected Floribunda.

Wood:

The canes are upright, vigorous and sufficiently stiff to support the comparatively large flowers. Branching is good enough to create a bushy rather than narrowly columnar plant, and flowering laterals develop into the small clusters characteristic of the cultivar. Stronger stems can reach useful cutting length, one reason ‘Midsummer’ is repeatedly recommended for the vase. With age the plant benefits from periodically removing one or two older, less productive stems near the base to encourage replacement growth. The young wood has smooth surface texture and medium green colour suffused with bronze red, as the wood matures the bark remains smooth the colour becomes dark green.

Prickles:

Rose variety ‘Midsummer’ has a normal quantity of prickles on the main canes from the base as well as on the laterals from the main canes. The prickles are medium sized, have hooked downward shape; the colour of the young prickles is purple red and they mature to brown colour.

Small prickles:

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

Disease resistance and stress tolerance:

Rose variety ‘Midsummer’ is generally regarded as healthy, although it should not be regarded as an exceptionally disease-free landscape rose. Under normal growing conditions and good cultivation practices the resistance to powdery mildew and black spot is good, but this does not mean immunity. It has not been confirmed as an ADR rose, and gardeners in climates with severe black spot pressure should still give it good air circulation, avoid regularly wetting the foliage, remove badly infected fallen leaves and maintain balanced nutrition.

The substantial double flowers of this rose can remain attractive through ordinary rains, but prolonged cool wet weather may mark outer petals or delay the opening of tightly filled blooms. Strong stems give the plant reasonable structural stability, yet an exposed site with constant wind is undesirable because petals may be bruised and transpiration increased. Heat tolerance appears satisfactory: the flowers are heat resistant, and the cultivar is widely grown in regions with warm summers. Nevertheless, this does not make it drought-adapted in the ecological sense. Regular deep watering remains important during prolonged heat, particularly for newly planted or container-grown specimens.

The cold-hardiness is normal for a Floribunda rose, a UK horticultural database assigns ‘Midsummer’ an RHS-style H6 rating, corresponding to approximately −20 to −15 °C (−4 to 5 °F), which corresponds to USDA Zone 6 and upward. However, the cold limit should be considered conservatively, as in practice precautions are still needed in colder climates: protect the crown or graft union with soil or mulch after the ground cools, avoid late nitrogen feeding, and provide additional protection in exposed continental gardens.

No breeder account explaining the exact naming decision for ‘Midsummer’ is available. The name appears to be a commercial, evocative choice rather than a documented historical dedication. Rosen Tantau itself presents the cultivar as a romantic “summer highlight” and associates it with the atmosphere of warm summer evenings, so “Midsummer” fits the rose’s glowing yellow, orange and red coloration especially well. The name suggests flowers illuminated by high-summer.

‘Midsummer’ has a notable international award record. Its most important early distinction was the Golden Rose of Baden-Baden in 2008, accompanied in Rosen Tantau’s records by a Silver Medal; the breeder continues to list both honours for that year.

At the 2010 Barcelona International New Rose Competition, contemporary Catalan reporting records ‘Midsummer’ as the winner of the Rosa Ciutadana (Citizen Rose), chosen by visitors with nearly one thousand votes from more than three thousand ballots, and also as the rose selected by the city’s council of older people. Rose-trial compilations additionally record it as Best Hybrid Tea or Grandiflora at Barcelona.

It has also been rewarded with a Bronze Medal at Dublin, Ireland, in 2010.

A third prize at Baden bei Wien in 2011 is also reported in rose-award compilations of teh breeder.

In 2015, ‘Midsummer’ won Best Hybrid Tea at the Hamilton Rose Bowl Festival/New Zealand Rose of the Year trials. The World Federation of Rose Societies’ contemporary report calls it the only overseas-bred rose to win an award at that trial and identifies ‘Midsummer’ (Tan 02-280) as a Tantau-bred orange-yellow blend. Its placement in the Hybrid Tea category illustrates the cultivar’s unusually formal flowers despite its primary Floribunda classification.

The cultivar returned to distinction in New Zealand in 2019, when the Hamilton rose trials awarded The Children’s Choice Award to ‘Midsummer’, TAN02280, Rosen Tantau, Germany. This is directly documented in the World Federation of Rose Societies trial results.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Rose variety ‘Tan02280’ / 'Midsummer' is a German Rosen Tantau introduction, commercially dated by the breeder to 2008. A Swiss federal plant-variety-protection record for application 08-2551 identifies ‘Tan02280’ as a Rosa variety belonging to Rosen Tantau KG and lists Christian Evers, c/o Rosen Tantau KG, as the initial breeder; the application was published in December 2008. The precise seed and pollen parentage has not been disclosed in any sources located for this rose.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

‘Tan02280’ / ‘Midsummer’ represents the later “Nostalgic” development of the Floribunda class from Tantau. Instead of emphasizing only flower quantity and clean colour, breeders increasingly selected Floribundas with rounded cups, quartered centres and the visual richness associated with old garden roses, while retaining repeat flowering and manageable stature. Tantau’s Nostalgie concept is evident here: ‘Midsummer’ has the romantic fullness and changing tones expected of a decorative nostalgic rose, but its strong stems and clustered flowers remain decidedly modern. ‘Midsummer’ is best understood as a Floribunda with strong Hybrid-Tea-like floral qualities - a useful reminder that commercial rose classes describe breeding and garden behaviour but do not always form rigid morphological boundaries.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Tan02280’ / ‘Midsummer’ is an unusually expressive modern Floribunda combining a compact, vigorous garden plant with flowers of greater substance and formality than the class name alone might suggest. Its flowers are well filled and lightly quartered, displaying a particularly attractive contrast between coral-red to orange-pink upper petal surfaces and golden-yellow reverses and this rose variety incorporated the following unique combination of characteristics:

  warm orange-pink to coral-red flowers with bright golden-yellow petal reverses and yellow undertones;

  well-filled, lightly quartered blooms approximately 6 - 8 cm across, combining nostalgic form with Floribunda clustering;

  a vigorous yet comparatively compact, upright plant with large glossy foliage;

  repeated flowering through the season on strong stems, with unusually good suitability for vase cutting;

  moderate-to-good practical foliar health combined with proven performance in international rose trials.

The rose cultivar ‘Midsummer’ can be successfully propagated vegetatively if the new plant is to remain genetically true to the cultivar. Commercial production can be carried out by budding or grafting onto appropriate rose rootstocks, while softwood or semi-ripe cuttings can be used to establish own-root plants. Plant-variety-protection records still exist, so anyone propagating plants commercially should verify the current intellectual-property position in the relevant jurisdiction rather than assuming that historical termination of protection in one country applies everywhere.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

Precise seed and pollen parent documentation for this cultivar was not officially published; therefore, a formal parent-by-parent comparison cannot be made reliably.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

Among currently available Floribundas, Kordes’ ‘Gebrüder Grimm’ provides a particularly useful comparison because it occupies a similar warm-coloured, nostalgic and approximately metre-high garden niche. ‘Gebrüder Grimm’, is an upright repeat-flowering Floribunda about 100 cm high with 7 - 8 cm flowers. Its colour is brilliant orange and red, changing toward pink with age, and places particular emphasis on its very high disease resistance.

The two are nevertheless easily distinguishable. ‘Midsummer’ has a stronger true bicolour effect: coral-red to orange-pink upper surfaces contrast markedly with golden-yellow reverses, which remain visible wherever the petals curve. Its flowers are comparatively rounded, well filled and lightly quartered, and their strong stems make the cultivar particularly satisfactory for cutting. ‘Gebrüder Grimm’ tends toward a brighter orange-red-to-pink progression across the whole bloom and creates a somewhat more openly floriferous bedding effect. Its greatest practical advantage is foliage health; Kordes explicitly markets it for its high disease resistance and rates it as an exceptionally robust bedding rose.

For a gardener whose first priority is intense disease resistance and a highly dependable public-landscape Floribunda, ‘Gebrüder Grimm’ is usually the stronger choice. Where the objective is a more formal, cuttable flower with a bright yellow reverse, stronger Hybrid-Tea-like individuality and an unusual coral-gold colour transition, ‘Midsummer’ is the more distinctive cultivar. Both are excellent examples of early twenty-first-century European breeding that brought nostalgic flower form into practical repeat-flowering Floribundas.

USDA 6

USDA Zone 6 - hardiness guide