Rose Decor Arlequin

For flower growers who prefer bright colors, breeders have created many options. One of them is the Harlequin Decor rose, which stands out for its cheerful color, but not only for them. The variety belongs to the now popular scrubs and is a lush and powerful shrub. Thanks to its bright color and style, this beauty, even in joint plantings, is simply impossible not to notice.

History of creation

Many sources indicate the date of appearance of the variety in 1986, although according to other information, the year of introduction of the variety in Australia is 1978. The selection belongs to the French company Meilland, which at that time was already quite famous for a number of successful varieties, one of which is the famous Gloria Day... The author of our heroine is the breeder Marie-Louise Meilland, née Paolino (Poalino). The material used for breeding: seeds obtained from crossing the old variety Zambra (Meilland, 1961) with an unknown species, and pollen from the floribunda Arthur Bell (McGredy, 1959), which was distinguished by a bright yellow tint. The name under which the novelty was presented to rose growers of the world, as well as for participation in exhibitions - Decor Arlequin. The plant got it thanks to the elegant and bright color, in which the colors of the parental forms were mixed in an unimaginable way. The unique code name of the rose is MELzourayor.

Awards

Gold medal, received in 1975 at the Rome Rose Trials, Rome, Italy.

Description

The biggest advantage of the Decor Harlequin variety is its intensive growth, so the bushes grow back rather quickly after pruning, and reach a height of 1.2 - 1.7 meters, a width of 1.0 meters. True, some growers complain that sometimes our heroine simply shoots out with very long fishing rods, the size of which exceeds 2.0 meters. But if pruning is carried out correctly, then the bush will look very neat, within the stated parameters. The shrub is quite dense, with tough, strong shoots growing straight upward, of which quite a lot is formed during the growing season. The foliage is good. Leaves are healthy, large, with a smooth leathery surface, dark green. Usually, each shoot is crowned with an inflorescence of 1 or 3 buds, but a beautiful rose can give a richer inflorescence of 5-6 buds.

Decor Arlequin buds are small, round-ovoid. The flowers are semi-double, they consist of 17 - 25 petals, often with strongly corrugated, as if frayed, but therefore more decorative, edges. The size of the flower is quite large - about 9 - 10 cm. The bud that starts to bloom at first teases with a yellow color, only the tightly closed tips are slightly touched by a pink tint. But as the dissolution progresses, a real colorful extravaganza begins. The color of the rose is ambiguous, the petals bending back are crimson-pink, while their outer side remains pale yellow. It turns out a real chameleon, the color changes from the perspective, and weather conditions also affect it. At the stage of complete dissolution, having acquired a cup-shaped shape, the flower looks very elegant thanks to the bright, one might say, neon, pink-crimson color and yellow center.

Bloom

The Harlequin decor belongs to the re-flowering varieties. Flowering is long, with a barely perceptible break, lasts from June until the onset of cold weather. Many rose growers express completely opposite opinions about the abundance of flowering. Some of our heroine pleased with a large number of flowers, others, on the contrary, disappointed with scarcity. Here the point is most likely in the correctly chosen planting site and agricultural technology. Experienced flower growers recommend giving vertical shoots a horizontal position so that more peduncles form on them. Faded heads must be removed in time in order to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the shrub and start the mechanism for the formation of new buds. The scent of rose flowers is very pleasant, light and unobtrusive.A young plant can produce ordinary flowers instead of double ones in the first year of flowering.

Characteristics

• Already in the second year after planting, Decor Arlequin is able to show a rather powerful flowering. But as knowledgeable flower growers say, the first buds are best cut off so that the bush can first grow green and root mass;

• In terms of winter hardiness, the Harlequin Decor has earned a lot of praise. In the official description, the 6th zone of frost resistance according to USDA (a system adopted by the US Department of Agriculture) is declared. That is, the plant hibernates calmly at -23.3 ° C. But some rose growers say that the bush can easily withstand -40 ° C, although it is not specified whether the shelter was used at such a temperature;
• the immunity is average. In unfavorable years, the rose can pick up powdery mildew or black spot. True, most flower growers admire the health of our heroine and call her one of the most problem-free;
• the variety is distinguished by good adaptability - it quickly adapts to a decrease or increase in temperature;
• resistance to humidity, according to reviews, is very good. The flower is not afraid of rain;
• the variety is suitable for cutting, the flowers can last for a week.

Agrotechnics

For planting Decor Harlequin, set aside sunny areas with well-drained and fertile soil. The most suitable planting date in the middle lane is spring. But in hot regions, this procedure can, even be necessary, be carried out in the fall, 2 - 3 weeks before the onset of stable cold weather. During this period, the seedling will have time to acquire a mass of absorbing roots and in the spring it will start growing faster. Water as needed, the soil should not dry out, but it should not be waterlogged either. A strong bush usually does not require a garter. But if the plant lacks nutrition, the shoots can be thin and will slope under the weight of the inflorescences. In the spring, the bush is pruned, shortening it by almost half, or even more. Thanks to this, the shrub will not be exposed. In the fall, the plant is prepared for wintering, the shoots are bent as low as possible, fixed and covered with a covering material. The rose propagates easily, using cuttings.

Decor Arlequin is a variant for optimists who love bright colors. The plant is very unpretentious, many people value it for its reliability. The abundance of flowering, of course, depends on your attention. The bright beauty is very responsive to the timely fertilizing and watering, in gratitude she will paint any boring corner in the garden with optimistic colors. The Harlequin decor can be used as a hedge, in single plantings, or in groups. The only drawback of the variety is that it grows too quickly. But if you take control of it with timely and correct pruning, then this drawback will rather become a dignity of the rose, as it will allow the formation of a lush and flowering shrub.