Introduction & History

There is something profoundly satisfying about a rose that delivers exactly what its name promises, and 'Strike It Rich' does precisely that, filling the garden with bloom after bloom of deep, molten gold brushed with warm orange and pink undertones that evoke the treasure at the end of a prospector's dream. Bred by Keith Zary at Jackson & Perkins and introduced in 2007, this grandiflora was awarded the AARS designation for its exceptional vigor, notable disease resistance, and lush, spicy-sweet fragrance that distinguishes it from other roses in its color class. Standing 120-150 cm tall with robust, well-branched growth, 'Strike It Rich' combines the stature and cutting-stem quality of a grandiflora with the garden toughness that modern rose buyers demand. It is a rose that pays dividends season after season, proving that richness in the garden has nothing to do with fussiness.

Breeding History

'Strike It Rich' was bred by Keith Zary, the prolific hybridizer at Jackson & Perkins, one of America's most storied rose nurseries. It was introduced in 2007 and earned the All-America Rose Selections award that same year, placing it in the elite company of roses that have demonstrated superior performance across multiple trial gardens nationwide. The breeding involved complex grandiflora lineage aimed at combining deep gold coloring with strong fragrance and outstanding disease resistance. Zary's program at Jackson & Perkins emphasized garden performance over purely exhibition qualities, and 'Strike It Rich' exemplifies this philosophy with its combination of beauty, fragrance, and robustness.

Flower Form & Fragrance

'Strike It Rich' produces large, classically formed double blooms with 25-30 petals, reaching 10-12 cm across. The color is a deep, saturated golden yellow with rich orange and pink blush tones that intensify at the petal edges, particularly in cooler weather. Blooms open from elegantly pointed buds into high-centered hybrid tea-style flowers before relaxing into full, cupped rosettes. They are borne singly and in small clusters on strong, long stems. The fragrance is one of this rose's greatest assets: a rich, spicy-sweet perfume with notes of clove, fruit, and moderate damask undertones. It is among the most fragrant grandifloras in commerce.

Garden Design & Uses

'Strike It Rich' makes a stunning focal point in sunny borders and rose beds, where its deep gold blooms glow warmly against both green foliage and dark-toned companions. Plant with purple-leaved shrubs such as Cotinus 'Royal Purple' or Berberis thunbergii 'Rose Glow' for dramatic contrast. It pairs beautifully with blue and violet perennials like Agastache, Perovskia, and Geranium 'Rozanne.' Use as a tall hedge or screen when planted 90 cm apart. Its long-stemmed blooms also make it an excellent choice for dedicated cutting gardens. Groups of 3-5 create a luminous mass of gold in the landscape.

Growth Habit & Hardiness

'Strike It Rich' grows as a vigorous, upright to slightly spreading bush reaching 120-150 cm tall with a spread of 90-120 cm. Growth is robust, producing thick, sturdy canes that branch well and support the heavy blooms without staking. Foliage is dark green, glossy, and disease-resistant, maintaining its health and appearance well into autumn. Leaves are composed of 5-7 leaflets with serrated margins. New growth emerges with attractive reddish-bronze tones. Thorn density is moderate with medium-sized curved prickles. The plant is typically budded onto vigorous rootstock and produces reliable basal breaks each season.

Climate & Hardiness

'Strike It Rich' is rated for USDA zones 5-10 and performs exceptionally across a wide range of climates. Its disease resistance makes it particularly valuable in humid southeastern regions where many roses struggle. The deep gold coloring holds well in heat, though some pink-orange blushing intensifies in cool weather, which many gardeners consider an enhancement. In zone 5, standard winter protection of mounding mulch over the bud union is advisable. The rose handles summer heat, moderate drought, and variable rainfall conditions competently.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Planting & Container Growing

Plant in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily; 8 hours is ideal for maximum bloom production and color saturation. Provide rich, well-drained soil amended with compost, with a pH of 6.0-6.5. Dig a generous planting hole 45 cm wide and deep. In cold zones, set the bud union 5 cm below soil level. Space plants 90-100 cm apart for adequate air circulation. Apply 8-10 cm of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the main canes. Water deeply at planting and maintain even moisture during establishment.

Container Growing

'Strike It Rich' can be grown in containers with attention to its vigorous needs. Use a minimum 50-litre pot with good drainage. Fill with premium potting mix blended with 20% compost and incorporate slow-release rose fertilizer. Water thoroughly when the top 3 cm of soil dries; this may be daily in summer. Supplement with liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the bloom season. Position where you can enjoy the spicy fragrance. In zones 5-6, overwinter containers in an unheated garage or insulate heavily. Feasibility rating: 3/5.

Seasonal Care & Pruning

Spring: Prune to 4-5 healthy outward-facing canes at 40-50 cm once new growth begins. Apply slow-release rose fertilizer and 8 cm of fresh mulch. Begin preventative fungicide if historically needed. Summer: Water deeply twice weekly. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous cycling every 5-6 weeks. Apply liquid fertilizer monthly. Enjoy the peak fragrance in warm, calm evenings. Autumn: Provide a final potassium-rich feed in early September. Allow the last blooms to set hips in October. Reduce watering gradually. Winter: Mound mulch over bud union in zones 5-6 after first frost. In mild zones, light cleanup only.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Underestimating the vigor and failing to provide enough space, resulting in crowded, disease-prone plantings. 2. Neglecting to enjoy the fragrance by planting too far from paths and seating areas. 3. Over-pruning, which delays the first bloom cycle; moderate spring pruning to 40-50 cm is optimal. 4. Ignoring deadheading, which significantly slows rebloom on this repeat-flowering grandiflora. 5. Using excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which promotes foliage at the expense of the rich bloom color.

Propagation

'Strike It Rich' is a patented rose (USPP17819), and propagation for commercial sale requires a license. For personal use, semi-ripe softwood cuttings taken in June-July root with moderate success using rooting hormone and a misting system. Take 12-15 cm cuttings from recently flowered shoots. Budding onto Dr. Huey or Fortuniana rootstock is the standard commercial method. Hardwood cuttings in late autumn have lower success rates. Seed-grown plants will not reproduce the cultivar reliably. Difficulty rating: Moderate.

Diseases & Pests

'Strike It Rich' has good disease resistance for a grandiflora, which was a key factor in its AARS award. Black spot resistance is above average, and the glossy foliage resists fungal colonization better than many competitors. Powdery mildew may appear occasionally in cool, humid autumn conditions. Rust is uncommon. Pests follow standard patterns: aphids colonize soft new growth in spring, Japanese beetles target blooms in midsummer across the eastern United States, thrips can damage buds, and spider mites may appear during hot, dry stretches. The strong foliage health means fewer fungicide interventions are needed compared to most hybrid teas and grandifloras.

Cut Flowers & Exhibition

'Strike It Rich' is an excellent garden cut flower, offering long stems, large blooms, and captivating fragrance. Cut when buds show full color but are only one-third open for longest vase life. Harvest in early morning, cutting stems 40-60 cm long. Remove lower foliage, recut stems under warm water at a 45-degree angle, and place in water with floral preservative. The spicy-sweet fragrance will perfume an entire room. The deep gold color pairs magnificently with burgundy, purple, and cream in arrangements. Vase life is 7-9 days.

Collector & Exhibition Notes

'Strike It Rich' performs well in exhibition grandiflora classes, where its high-centered bloom form, rich coloring, and strong fragrance score highly across multiple judging criteria. For show preparation, select blooms at the half-open stage with symmetrical petal arrangement. Groom carefully, removing any guard petals with blemishes. The intense fragrance is a judging bonus in competitions where scent is evaluated. Among collectors, it represents the peak of Keith Zary's golden grandiflora breeding work at Jackson & Perkins. Its AARS award and commercial success make it a significant cultivar in early 21st-century American rose history.

Comparison with Similar Roses

Compared to 'About Face' (also a modern AARS grandiflora), 'Strike It Rich' offers deeper, more uniform golden coloring without the pronounced bicolor reversal, plus stronger fragrance. Against 'Gold Medal' (grandiflora), 'Strike It Rich' is more fragrant and more disease-resistant, with richer gold tones. Versus 'Midas Touch' (hybrid tea), 'Strike It Rich' is taller, more vigorous, and produces more blooms per season, though 'Midas Touch' has a brighter, cleaner yellow.

Heritage & Conservation

As a relatively recent patented introduction from Jackson & Perkins, 'Strike It Rich' is commercially available and not at immediate conservation risk. However, the closure of Jackson & Perkins' traditional breeding facilities and shifts in the American rose industry mean that the specific breeding lines that produced this cultivar may be dispersed or lost. Preserving it in public rose gardens and heritage collections documents an important chapter in American grandiflora development. It is maintained in numerous AARS display gardens nationwide.

Cultural Significance

'Strike It Rich' captures the optimistic spirit of American rose breeding, where the quest for a golden rose with fragrance, beauty, and toughness has been a holy grail for generations. Its name evokes the California Gold Rush and the dream of abundance, fitting for a rose bred in the golden state. The AARS award validated a new generation of garden-tough grandifloras that need not be pampered to perform, reflecting the broader trend toward sustainable, low-input gardening. It has become a benchmark against which other golden grandifloras are measured.

Frequently Asked Questions