June is National Rose Month, so I encourage you to stop and smell the roses while they’re still blooming. Why not seek out a local rose garden, like one of the many Rosie the Riveter Memorial Rose Gardens popping up all over the U.S.?
You’re probably familiar with the iconic poster above, but how about the rose named for that symbol of strength and beauty, the Rosie the Riveter floribunda rose?
Introduced in 2018 by renowned rose hybridizer Christian Bédard and Weeks Roses, the ‘Rosie the Riveter’ rose pays tribute to past ‘Rosies’ while inspiring those of the future.
You can plant one yourself, or take a stroll through one of the many Rosie the Riveter Memorial Rose Gardens popping up all over the U.S. An initiative of the Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive organization, the goal of the Rosie the Riveter Memorial Rose Garden Project is to build a network of Memorial Rose Gardens by establishing one in every congressional district across the U.S. If you’re interested in either visiting one or establishing one in your own community, visit: http://www.spiritof45.org/rosie_the_riveter_memorial_rose_gardens.aspx
As soon as I saw a photo of this rose, I fell in love with it: it has all the colors of a perfectly ripe summer peach, an orange-gold with a magenta blush. I was excited to finally see one in person at the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden at historic Balboa Park in San Diego.
The rose even had its own special sign:
Here is the official description of Rosa ‘Rosie the Riveter’:
Class/Color: Floribunda/Orangey-gold suffused with pink with gold reverse
Bloom/Size: Pointed & ovoid, Old-fashioned & double, Medium, around 3-3½ inch diameter
Height/Habit: Medium, Rounded & Bushy, Medium stem length
Petal Count: 30 to 45
Fragrance: Moderate fruity & spice with hints of cinnamon
Parentage: Hotel California x Distant Drums
Hybridizer: Christian Bédard
Introducer: Weeks Roses
Comments: Does adding a part of American history to your garden sound good? Rosie the Riveter pays tribute to the women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II. The old-fashioned unusual flowers of orangey-gold suffused with pink are surely reminiscent of that era. The exquisite pointy and shapely buds are proudly held on top of very glossy dark foliage as a feminine symbol of charm and strength. A flower representing a women’s cultural icon without fragrance would not work. The moderate fruity & spice fragrance is the perfect complement. Like the tireless Rosies, the even rounded plants of Rosie the Riveter are the workhorse of the garden, producing an arsenal of flowers. Maximum flower power? Yes, we can do it!
Source Credit: https://www.rose.org/single-post/2018/08/01/2018-new-rose-introductions
What do you think of ‘Rosie the Riveter’? Are there any other historic icons that you would like to see honored with its own namesake rose? Let everyone know in the comments below.
Author Katie R. Yen 