Rose of the Month, April 2006

Lightning flashes, while angry water roils in mad frenzy as Neptune, god of the seas, rises from the depths on his chariot, trident in one hand, reins in the other. His splendid chariot is drawn by magnificent seahorses that move through the raging, foamy sea with grace and great speed.  Neptune was a fearsome ruler, striking terror in the hearts of his mortal subjects. 

While not as dramatic in action as its namesake, Neptune, a hybrid tea, is mighty among roses and certainly fit for a Roman god. With its extraordinary purple edged lavender blooms, this rose is an upright bush growing between 3–5 feet high with a 30-36 inch spread.  Surrounded by glossy, dark green foliage, the 5-6 inch, 26-40 petal, fully double blooms normally grow one to a stem. Neptune prefers cooler temperatures. It was bred by Tom Carruth in 2003, and introduced in the United States by Weeks Roses in 2005. Neptune has an intense sweet fragrance and is a repeat bloomer. A splash of lavender, a heady fragrance, makes the handsome Neptune a wonderful offering to woo a fair maiden, appease a grumpy god or enhance any garden.