Introduction & History

There are roses that catch the eye, and then there is 'Scentimental,' a floribunda that stops visitors in their tracks with its bold red-and-white striped blooms and intoxicating fragrance. Bred by Tom Carruth and introduced by Weeks Roses in 1997, this variety combines the theatrical drama of striped petals with a rich, spicy-sweet perfume that fills the garden on warm evenings. Each bloom is unique, with irregular streaks, splashes, and swirls of burgundy red on a creamy white background, ensuring that no two flowers are exactly alike. Scentimental won the AARS award in 1997, making it the first striped rose to receive this prestigious honor, and it continues to be one of the most popular novelty roses in American gardens.

Breeding History

Bred by Tom Carruth and introduced by Weeks Roses in 1997 under the registration name 'WEKplapep.' The parentage is 'Playboy' crossed with 'Peppermint Twist,' combining single-flower genetics with striped coloring. Scentimental won the All-America Rose Selections (AARS) award in 1997, a historic achievement as the first striped rose so honored. It also received high marks from the American Rose Society. Carruth's genius was combining the eye-catching striped pattern with strong fragrance, creating a rose that appeals to both the eye and the nose.

Flower Form & Fragrance

Blooms are 8-10 cm across with 25-35 petals in a cupped to open form. The base color is creamy white, dramatically striped, splashed, and swirled with burgundy red. Each bloom has a unique pattern, creating endless visual interest. Flowers appear in clusters of 3-5 blooms. The fragrance is strong and complex, a rich blend of old-rose damask, spice, and sweet notes that earned it the 'Scentimental' name. The scent is most intense in warm, humid conditions and carries well in the garden.

Garden Design & Uses

Scentimental demands a prominent position where its dramatic striped blooms and fragrance can be fully appreciated. Place near pathways, patios, and seating areas. It works as a stunning specimen or focal point, best planted with solid-colored companions that do not compete for attention. White alyssum, green box hedging, and silver artemisia make excellent partners. Avoid combining with other patterned or bicolor flowers. Use as a conversation piece in cottage gardens or as a unique accent in formal borders.

Growth Habit & Hardiness

Rounded and bushy, reaching 90-120 cm tall with a spread of 60-75 cm. The habit is well-branched and dense, forming a substantial bush. Foliage is dark green, semi-glossy, and produced in good quantity. Thorns are moderate in number and size. The plant is vigorous, producing strong new growth throughout the season. Some stems may produce solid-colored blooms (reverted), which should be removed to maintain the striped character. Growth is reliable and the plant fills its space well.

Climate & Hardiness

Hardy in USDA zones 5b through 9. The striped pattern is most vivid in moderate temperatures of 18-25C. In extreme heat, the red may darken and the white may take on pink tones, reducing contrast. Cold hardiness is good with standard winter protection. Rain can spot the white petal areas, so shelter from heavy rain is beneficial. Best performance in Mediterranean and temperate maritime climates where moderate temperatures preserve color clarity.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Planting & Container Growing

Plant in full sun with excellent air circulation in well-drained, fertile soil at pH 6.0-6.5. Space 55-65 cm apart. Good drainage is important to prevent root issues. Amend soil with compost and balanced organic fertilizer. Mulch with 5-8 cm of organic material. Position where morning sun dries dew quickly, as the white petal areas can show fungal spotting more readily than solid-colored varieties.

Container Growing

Feasibility rating: Good. Use a container at least 45-50 cm in diameter. Quality potting compost with perlite for drainage works well. Water when the top 3 cm of soil is dry. Feed fortnightly with liquid rose fertilizer during the growing season. The rounded habit is well-suited to containers on patios and terraces. Position in a sunny, prominent spot where the striped blooms and fragrance can be enjoyed up close.

Seasonal Care & Pruning

Spring: Prune to 30-40 cm, removing reverted (solid-colored) canes at the base. Apply balanced fertilizer and fresh mulch. Begin preventive fungicide program. Summer: Deadhead promptly. Remove any reverted stems immediately. Water at the base. Feed fortnightly. Monitor for disease on white petal areas. Autumn: Reduce feeding. Clean up fallen petals and leaves. Apply potassium-rich feed. Winter: Mound soil in zones 5-6. Apply dormant spray. Standard winter care.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Planting in too much shade, which reduces the vivid striped contrast. 2. Neglecting to remove reverted (solid-colored) stems, which can overtake the striped blooms. 3. Overhead watering that spots the white petal areas and promotes disease. 4. Placing it among too many other colorful flowers, where the dramatic effect is lost in visual noise. 5. Under-feeding, which results in smaller blooms with less distinct striping.

Propagation

Commercially propagated by budding onto rootstock. Softwood cuttings can be taken but may not reliably produce the striped pattern, as some cuttings can revert to solid colors. Budding is preferred for maintaining consistent striping. Seed propagation will not reproduce the striped pattern. Difficulty rating: Moderate to difficult due to reversion tendency. When propagating from cuttings, select wood from stems that produced well-striped blooms.

Diseases & Pests

Moderate disease susceptibility. The white petal areas are more prone to showing black spot and botrytis damage than solid-colored petals. Preventive fungicide spraying is recommended, particularly in humid climates. Powdery mildew may appear in suitable conditions. Aphids target new growth. Thrips can be particularly problematic, as their feeding damage is highly visible on the contrasting white and red petals. Regular monitoring and prompt treatment maintain bloom quality.

Cut Flowers & Exhibition

Cut when blooms are half to three-quarters open for the most dramatic striped display. Select blooms with the clearest, most vivid striping. Stems of 25-35 cm are typical. Place in water with preservative. Vase life is 5-7 days. The unique striped pattern and strong fragrance make Scentimental an exceptional cut flower that creates instant conversation. Each bloom's unique pattern adds artistic interest to arrangements.

Collector & Exhibition Notes

Scentimental is a must-have for collectors of novelty and striped roses. Its AARS award as the first striped winner gives it historical significance. For exhibition, select blooms with the most dramatic, clearly defined striping. The fragrance adds an extra dimension in fragrance classes. Watch for and remove any reverted stems before show day. While commercially available, well-grown specimens with vivid striping remain impressive in competition.

Comparison with Similar Roses

Compared to 'Ferdinand Pichard' (a historic striped Hybrid Perpetual), Scentimental offers better repeat bloom and disease resistance in a more compact form, though Ferdinand Pichard has a more refined striped pattern. Against 'Purple Tiger,' Scentimental has more vivid color contrast and stronger fragrance. Versus 'George Burns,' Scentimental provides a more dramatic red-and-white contrast while George Burns offers yellow-red-pink multicolor stripes.

Heritage & Conservation

As a popular, commercially successful variety, Scentimental is widely available and not at conservation risk. It is important in the history of striped rose breeding and represents a milestone in AARS history. The variety is maintained by Weeks Roses and is available through major nurseries worldwide. It has introduced many gardeners to the world of striped and patterned roses.

Cultural Significance

Scentimental introduced striped roses to mainstream American gardening through its AARS award, previously the domain of old garden rose collectors. The variety demonstrated that novelty and quality are not mutually exclusive, paving the way for other patterned roses in commercial production. Its clever name has become a textbook example of effective horticultural marketing, combining humor with the promise of fragrance.

Frequently Asked Questions