Introduction & History

When 'Touch of Class' swept to the All-America Rose Selections award in 1986, it announced itself as one of the finest exhibition hybrid teas of the late twentieth century, a rose whose spiraling coral-pink blooms seemed to glow with an inner warmth that captured judges and gardeners alike. Bred by Michel Kriloff in France and introduced by Armstrong Nurseries, this variety combines a unique coral pink shading with cream and salmon undertones, creating a color effect that is simultaneously warm, fresh, and sophisticated. The bloom form is classical exhibition perfection: large, high-centered, and long-lasting, with heavy petal substance that holds its shape through days of heat, rain, and wind. Touch of Class quickly became a dominant force on the American rose show circuit, winning Queen of Show honors with notable frequency, while also proving itself a thoroughly enjoyable garden rose with good vigor, repeat bloom, and above-average disease resistance for its era. It is a rose that elevates every garden it graces.

Breeding History

'Touch of Class' was bred by Michel Kriloff in southern France and introduced by Armstrong Nurseries in 1984 under the registration name 'KRIcaro.' It won the prestigious All-America Rose Selections (AARS) award in 1986 and the Portland Gold Medal. The parentage is 'Michèle Meilland' crossed with ('Queen Elizabeth' x 'Romantica'), combining refined French breeding aesthetics with the vigor and adaptability needed for the American market. Kriloff's Provençal breeding program was known for producing roses with exceptional form and subtle color blending, and Touch of Class represents its crowning achievement. The variety rapidly became one of the most exhibited hybrid teas in North America.

Flower Form & Fragrance

Blooms are large, 12-14 cm across, with 30-35 petals arranged in a textbook high-centered spiral form. The color is a warm coral pink with cream and salmon undertones, creating a sophisticated blended effect that photographs beautifully from every angle. The outer petals may show a slightly lighter, creamy base while the inner petals intensify to a warm coral. Individual blooms are borne singly on long, strong stems. Petal substance is very heavy, providing exceptional weather resistance and long-lasting form. The fragrance is mild to moderate, a light, sweet scent that is pleasant but not overpowering. The bud stage is particularly elegant, with long, pointed buds in warm coral tones.

Garden Design & Uses

'Touch of Class' brings warm, sophisticated color to formal rose beds, mixed borders, and cutting gardens. Its coral-pink tones harmonize beautifully with peach, apricot, and cream companions: pair with 'Valencia' or 'Just Joey' for a warm-toned tapestry. Silver-foliaged plants like Stachys, Artemisia, and lavender provide cooling contrast. Combine with bronze fennel and warm-toned grasses such as Carex buchananii for textural interest. Plant in groups of three to five for garden impact, or as single specimens in small collections where each bloom can be examined and admired. Excellent in cutting gardens.

Growth Habit & Hardiness

'Touch of Class' grows as an upright, well-branched hybrid tea reaching 90-130 cm tall with a spread of 60-75 cm. The habit is strong and architectural, with stout canes that support the large blooms on long, straight stems without drooping. Foliage is dark green, semi-glossy, and produced in good density. New growth emerges with attractive bronze-red tints. Thorns are moderate to numerous. The plant is moderately vigorous, producing steady repeat bloom cycles when well-fed and deadheaded. Basal breaks are produced regularly, maintaining a well-furnished bush over the years.

Climate & Hardiness

Hardy in USDA zones 5b through 9b. Touch of Class performs well across most of North America, from the Pacific coast to the mid-Atlantic. The coral-pink color develops best in moderate temperatures and may wash out slightly in extreme heat. Cold hardiness extends to approximately -26C with proper winter protection. Rain tolerance is excellent due to the heavy petal substance. The variety has proven adaptable to both humid southeastern and dry western climates, though it produces its finest exhibition blooms in California and the Pacific Northwest.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Planting & Container Growing

Plant in full sun (minimum 6 hours daily) in well-drained, fertile soil at pH 6.0-6.5. Space plants 60-75 cm apart. Dig a generous planting hole, amend with compost and aged manure, and set the bud union 2-5 cm below soil level in cold climates. Mulch with 5-8 cm of organic material. Touch of Class responds well to rich soil and consistent moisture, producing its largest and most perfectly formed blooms when well-nourished.

Container Growing

'Touch of Class' can be grown in a container, though its vigorous habit and long stems are best accommodated in a large pot. Use a minimum 50-litre container with excellent drainage. Fill with a rich potting mix and feed generously throughout the growing season. Water consistently and deeply. The long stems and perfect blooms are impressive on a patio or terrace. Staking may be needed for the tallest stems. Protect containers in winter in cold zones. Feasibility rating: 3/5.

Seasonal Care & Pruning

Spring: Prune to 30-40 cm, selecting 4-5 strong outward-facing canes. Apply balanced granular rose fertilizer and fresh mulch. Begin preventive spray program. Summer: Deadhead promptly after each flush. Disbud for exhibition quality. Water deeply once or twice weekly. Feed fortnightly with liquid fertilizer. Monitor for common pests. Autumn: Reduce feeding from mid-August. Allow late blooms to develop naturally. Remove fallen foliage. Apply potassium feed. Winter: Mound soil 15-20 cm in zones 5-6 after the first hard frost. Apply dormant spray after leaf fall.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Growing primarily for garden display and never exhibiting, missing the opportunity to show one of the finest exhibition roses available. 2. Under-feeding, which limits bloom size and repeat flowering frequency. 3. Neglecting to disbud for show quality, when side buds are removed the terminal bloom achieves its maximum magnificent size. 4. Overhead watering that spots the coral petals and promotes foliar disease. 5. Expecting strong fragrance; this is a variety bred primarily for visual perfection rather than scent.

Propagation

'Touch of Class' is commercially propagated by budding onto rootstock such as Dr. Huey or Rosa multiflora. Softwood cuttings taken in early summer have moderate success rates of 40-50%. Own-root plants are viable but establish more slowly. The variety is no longer under patent, permitting propagation for personal use. Hardwood cuttings in late autumn also succeed at moderate rates. Grafted plants generally outperform own-root specimens in bloom size and vigor. Difficulty rating: Moderate.

Diseases & Pests

'Touch of Class' has above-average disease resistance for a hybrid tea of the 1980s. Black spot resistance is moderate to good; preventive fungicide sprays are recommended in humid climates but may be unnecessary in dry regions. Powdery mildew can appear in late summer during warm, dry days with cool nights. Rust is occasional. The heavy petal substance provides good resistance to botrytis in wet weather. Aphids target new growth in spring. Thrips can damage the coral-toned petals. Japanese beetles may feed on blooms. Overall health is reliable with standard hybrid tea care.

Cut Flowers & Exhibition

Touch of Class is an outstanding cut flower with long stems, perfect form, and excellent longevity. Cut when the bud is in the early spiral stage, showing full coral-pink color. Harvest in early morning on stems 40-55 cm long. Strip lower foliage, recut under water at an angle, and condition in cool water with floral preservative. The warm coral color enhances any arrangement and is particularly beautiful for special occasions. Vase life is 8-10 days with proper care.

Collector & Exhibition Notes

'Touch of Class' is a premier exhibition hybrid tea that has won Queen of Show at countless rose competitions throughout North America. Its flawless high-centered form, heavy substance, and warm coral coloring make it highly competitive in the pink-blend specimen classes. For show, disbud to one bloom per stem and time cutting for the spiral center stage. Protect blooms from rain, wind, and pest damage before shows. The AARS award and exhibition pedigree make it a must-grow variety for serious competitors. It remains commercially available through specialist nurseries and is considered an essential exhibition variety.

Comparison with Similar Roses

Compared to 'Pristine,' Touch of Class offers warmer coral color and slightly better weather resistance but Pristine has a more refined spiral center and longer vase life. Against 'Secret,' both share warm pink-blend tones and exhibition quality, but Touch of Class has heavier substance while Secret offers stronger fragrance. Versus 'Olympiad,' Touch of Class provides a more sophisticated, blended color compared to Olympiad's pure red, with comparable exhibition form and substance.

Heritage & Conservation

'Touch of Class' is historically significant as one of the most awarded exhibition hybrid teas of the late twentieth century and a notable example of French breeding for the American market. The variety is maintained in numerous American Rose Society gardens and public collections. While commercially available, it is increasingly found only through specialist nurseries rather than mainstream retail. Its genetics represent an important achievement in coral-blend coloring and exhibition form that continues to influence modern breeding.

Cultural Significance

'Touch of Class' represents the golden age of exhibition hybrid tea culture in America during the 1980s and 1990s, when rose shows drew thousands of competitors and spectators. The AARS award in 1986 brought it into mainstream American gardening, while its show circuit dominance earned it legendary status among exhibitors. The variety exemplifies the Franco-American connection in rose breeding, with French artistry in color and form meeting American commercial vision. Its name itself captures the aspiration toward elegance that defined a generation of rose growing.

Frequently Asked Questions