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Rosa 'Stainless Steel'

Image of Rosa 'Stainless Steel'

Stan V. Griep

Family

Rosaceae

Botanical Name

Rosa 'Stainless Steel'

Plant Common Name

Hybrid Tea Rose, Stainless Steel Rose

General Description

Cool, mauve on mauve flowers grace the distinctive and elegant hybrid tea rose, ‘Stainless Steel.’ The very large, fully double, exhibition form blooms are long-lasting, and emit a strong, sweet fragrance. Also known as ‘WEKblusi’, it was introduced by Weeks Roses in 1995 and is a cross between ‘Blue Nile’ and ‘Silverado.’ Its best color is obtained in areas with cooler, more moderate summers.

This hybrid tea has a bushy, upright habit and stems lined with sharp woody thorns. Its leaves are leathery and deep green. Flowering occurs from early summer through frost with good care and maintenance. The large, fragrant, cup-shaped flowers are steely mauve and have as many as 30 petals each.

Roses prefer full to partial sun, moderate temperatures and perfectly drained, slightly acid soil with average to good fertility. They grow best in places with slightly dry climates, because such climates disfavor the fungal diseases that plague them. For this reason, it is important to maintain good airflow within and between planted roses through good planting and pruning practices, which will dissuade fungal attacks. Roses are rife with pest and disease problems.

Hybrid tea roses are a garden must. They are perfect for sunny foundations, mixed borders and cutting gardens. Especially pretty, heavy-flowering cultivars like this one.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    10 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    6 - 8

  • Sunset Zone

    A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    4'-5' / 1.2m - 1.5m

  • Width

    3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m

  • Bloom Time

    Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Upright/Erect

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Light Pink, Lavender, Gray

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green

  • Bark Color

    Sandy Brown, Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Double

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Mixed Border

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    Sometimes

  • Self-Sowing

    No