Crystalline
The glory of new snow sparkling like crystals upon the earth brings forth the beauty of winter. Icicles hang from sleeping tree branches and the sun’s rays flash dazzlingly off frozen ponds in white silence. The majesty of winter gives time for rest and preparation for the upcoming spring’s exhilaration of new life. I know, this is southern California and we miss out on all the loveliness of a true winter, but we can bring white to our garden in the form of a brilliant rose, Crystalline.
Crystalline, touted as a top exhibition rose, is also a good garden
rose with 5 inch white blooms that make stunning cut flowers on stems
of 22” to
26” and a vase life of approximately 4 to 8 days. The flowers
have 30-35 petals with very large, double, full, high-centered to a cupped
bloom form. Crystalline is a repeat bloomer, but needs diligent disbudding
in midsummer or it will produce clusters of blooms. Bred by Jack Christensen
and Thomas F. Carruth in 1987, Crystalline has been classified as both
hybrid tea and floribunda. Overall, it is hardy and disease resistant,
but is somewhat susceptible to mildew. The growth pattern is tall and upright
with medium green, heavily toothed foliage. Fragrance is moderate
with a spicy, sweet tea scent. For a beautiful white in the garden,
Crystalline is the way to go.
