Introduction & History

When 'Fourth of July' burst onto the rose scene at the turn of the millennium, it brought something genuinely unprecedented to American gardens: a large-flowered climbing rose with bold red and white striped petals, reminiscent of fireworks exploding across the night sky. Bred by Tom Carruth for Weeks Roses and introduced in 1999, this audacious variety won the coveted All-America Rose Selections award for the year 2000, the first climbing rose to receive the honor in decades. Its semi-double blooms are a joyful riot of cherry red splashed, streaked, and stippled with creamy white, no two flowers ever quite the same pattern. The name was inspired by the patriotic red-and-white display that evokes Independence Day celebrations, and indeed this rose creates a celebratory atmosphere wherever it grows. Fourth of July brought striped roses into the mainstream and proved that climbing roses could be as exciting and contemporary as any modern hybrid.

Breeding History

Bred by Tom Carruth at Weeks Roses nursery in Upland, California, introduced in 1999. The parentage is 'Roller Coaster' x 'Altissimo', a brilliant combination that drew the irregular striping pattern of the Miniature Climber Roller Coaster and married it with the climbing vigor and large flower size of the celebrated single-flowered red climber Altissimo. Carruth specifically aimed to create a striped climber with sufficient vigor and flower size for garden impact. Fourth of July won the All-America Rose Selections award for the year 2000, becoming the first climbing rose to receive the honor since 'Don Juan' in 1962. The variety was also recognized with the ARS Members' Choice award.

Flower Form & Fragrance

Flowers are semi-double with 10-16 petals, opening from rounded buds into wide, cupped blooms 8-10 cm across. The base color is cherry red, dramatically streaked, splashed, and flecked with creamy white in irregular patterns. No two blooms are identical — some are predominantly red with white flecks, others nearly half white, creating endless visual interest. Golden stamens are prominently displayed in the center of open flowers. Blooms are borne in generous clusters of 3-8. Fragrance is moderate and pleasant, a sweet apple-spice scent that intensifies in warm conditions.

Garden Design & Uses

Fourth of July is best used where its bold, festive personality can shine: on a prominent trellis, pillar, or arch. The striped flowers demand a clean, simple background — white fences, natural stone walls, or dark green hedges work perfectly. Avoid combining with other strongly patterned or multicolored roses; instead, use solid-colored companions. White-flowered clematis, blue nepeta, and silver-leaved artemisia are ideal partners. Spectacular on a garden entrance arch, setting a celebratory tone from the threshold. Creates maximum impact when viewed from a slight distance where the overall effect is a shimmering blend of red and white.

Growth Habit & Hardiness

A vigorous, well-branched climbing rose reaching 3-4 m tall and 2-2.5 m wide. Canes are moderately thick, somewhat flexible, and train easily onto supports. Foliage is medium-sized, semi-glossy, dark green, and healthy for a modern climber. Thorns are medium-sized and moderately abundant. The plant produces new basal canes regularly, ensuring the base stays furnished with foliage and flowers. Growth rate is good, with most plants reaching their full height within two to three years. Blooms are produced freely along the full length of trained canes, not just at the tips.

Climate & Hardiness

Hardy in USDA zones 5b-9b. Tolerates winter temperatures to -26°C with appropriate protection. Performs excellently in both hot and moderate climates, though the color contrast between red and white is most vivid in cooler conditions. In extreme heat, the red tones may bleach slightly toward pink. Good rain tolerance — the semi-double flowers shed water readily and resist balling. Bred in California but widely adapted across North America, from the Pacific Northwest to the Gulf Coast.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Planting & Container Growing

Plant in full sun for best flowering and strongest color contrast. Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with pH 6.0-6.8, enriched with compost. Dig a planting hole 50 cm wide and 45 cm deep. Position 30-45 cm from a wall or fence. Set bud union 5 cm below soil in cold zones. Install support at planting time. Mulch with 8-10 cm of organic material and water deeply. Space 2.5 m apart when planting along a fence for seamless coverage.

Container Growing

Feasibility: Good. Fourth of July's moderate vigor makes it one of the better climbing roses for large containers. Use a pot at least 50 cm diameter and 45 cm deep with an obelisk or fan trellis. Fill with premium potting mix enriched with controlled-release fertilizer. Water daily in summer. Feed fortnightly with liquid rose food during the growing season. Container plants typically reach 2-2.5 m. Provide winter protection in zones below 7 by insulating the container or moving to a sheltered spot.

Seasonal Care & Pruning

Spring: Prune out dead, damaged, and crossing wood. Shorten lateral shoots to 3-5 buds. Apply granular rose feed and fresh mulch. Tie in new growth. Begin monitoring for aphids. Summer: Deadhead spent clusters promptly — brown striped petals are particularly unsightly. Liquid feed every two weeks. Water deeply and consistently. Continue tying in new canes as they develop. Autumn: Apply potash feed in September to harden wood. Reduce watering gradually. Tie in loose canes securely before winter storms. Remove fallen leaves to reduce disease. Winter: Mound base with 25 cm of compost in cold zones. Remove any remaining foliage. Inspect and repair support structures.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1) Expecting every flower to look the same — the irregular striping is the variety's greatest charm, not a defect. 2) Planting in too much shade — reduces flower production and weakens the color contrast. 3) Neglecting deadheading — spent striped blooms turn an unattractive muddy color. 4) Pruning too heavily — moderate pruning preserves the framework needed for good coverage. 5) Planting next to other striped or bicolored roses — creates visual confusion rather than impact.

Propagation

Propagated commercially by budding onto Rosa laxa or R. multiflora rootstock. Semi-ripe cuttings taken in July-August from lateral shoots will root with moderate success (50-60%) using rooting hormone and mist propagation. The striped character is stable and transmits faithfully to cuttings and budded plants. The variety was patented (PPAF at introduction); check current patent status before commercial propagation. Home gardeners may take cuttings for personal use. Difficulty: Moderate.

Diseases & Pests

Above-average disease resistance for a modern climbing rose, which contributed to its AARS award. Moderate resistance to black spot and good resistance to powdery mildew. In humid climates, a preventive fungicide program every 14-21 days is still advisable during the growing season. Aphids and Japanese beetles are the most common insect pests. The semi-double, open flower form allows good air circulation within the bloom, reducing botrytis risk. Overall healthier and more trouble-free than many older climbing varieties.

Cut Flowers & Exhibition

Fourth of July makes delightfully unusual cut flowers. Cut sprays when the first flowers are fully open and remaining buds are showing color. The clusters are best displayed in wide-mouthed vases where the irregular striping can be admired. Each bloom is unique, making arrangements lively and interesting. Vase life is 5-7 days. The apple-spice fragrance is a pleasant bonus indoors. Combine with solid white or blue flowers for a patriotic arrangement.

Collector & Exhibition Notes

Fourth of July is widely available from nurseries across North America and increasingly from European specialists. Its AARS 2000 award gives it historical significance as a millennium rose. Can be shown in Climbing Rose or Spray classes at ARS shows. The unique striping makes it a conversation piece on the show bench. The variety is significant as the rose that brought striped climbers into the mainstream and represents an important milestone in Tom Carruth's distinguished breeding career.

Comparison with Similar Roses

Compared to 'Scentimental' (Carruth's striped Floribunda), Fourth of July offers the climbing habit that Scentimental lacks, though Scentimental has stronger fragrance and more regular striping. Against 'Altissimo' (one of its parents), Fourth of July adds the dramatic striping while maintaining comparable vigor and disease resistance. 'Berries 'n' Cream', another striped climber, has pink-and-cream striping rather than the bolder red-and-white of Fourth of July, and is less vigorous.

Heritage & Conservation

Fourth of July is a modern variety in active commercial production, widely available from nurseries across North America and increasingly worldwide. Preserved in numerous ARS public gardens and test grounds. The variety represents an important milestone in striped rose breeding and in the history of AARS awards. Not at any conservation risk; production continues at commercial scale by Weeks Roses and licensed propagators.

Cultural Significance

Named to evoke American Independence Day celebrations, Fourth of July embodies the festive spirit of fireworks, flags, and summer joy. Its introduction in 1999 for the year 2000 gave it millennial significance, and its AARS award made it one of the most publicized roses of its era. The variety became a symbol of Tom Carruth's innovative breeding program at Weeks Roses and demonstrated that climbing roses could be as exciting and newsworthy as any Hybrid Tea. It has become a classic of patriotic garden plantings across the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions