Julia Child
In the Spotlight: the Julia Child Rose
Julia Child is a lovely variety of floribunda rose. We have two examples in our garden. One is a tree rose, the other is a bush rose.
The rose was created in the United States in 2004 by Tom Carruth whom many MGs have met when he worked as Curator of the Rose Collections at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California before his retirement.
The rose is named after the famous French Chef, Julia Child, who selected this rose, personally, to bear her name. She fell in love with the buttery yellow rose blooms and the wonderful licorice fragrance. The Julia Child Rose is known in the UK as the Absolutely Fabulous Rose. The rose bloom is 4” (10cm) across, packed with 35 elegantly ruffled petals. As these blossoms age, the color fades to a lighter color of yellow to almost white. This 2006 All-American Rose Selection® Winner produces its full blooms usually through at least 6 months and in Napa it lasts until November. It can be grown in a container, and as a tree rose as well as a bush rose.
This rose is easy to grow. It grows well in zones 5-10 and it needs at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. It should be planted in soil that has been enhanced with compost dug in at least 2 weeks before planting. Planting instructions can be found with the plant. Pruning is important in January or February, and dead-heading is necessary after flowers are spent. Be vigilant about pests and fungal diseases, and you will enjoy the Julia Child rose for many years.