Almost end of season here, my Tahitian Treasure is barely 16 inches tall for some reason. I had expected it to be taller already, it bloomed quite well, even still has a bunch of blooms on it now, looking forward to seeing it grow taller to that advertised height of 5-6 feet.
One thing that I have learned through years of living with the aftereffects of typos, mistakes and misquotes, is that just because something is printed in a newspaper, magazine or book doesn't guarantee accuracy. As a result, I am always skeptical of the printed word and recommendations of others. That doesn’t mean that I am pessimistic, it means that I am cautious.
The original plant of my Tahitian Treasure is ownroot and generally doesn't exceed 30" in height, however it is competing with other roses.
Of the four grafted plants that I have, each plant has one cane that is 52 inches tall, nevertheless, I would say that the realistic height of the plants is in the range of 3 to 4 feet tall for landscaping purposes in my area when giving the plant reasonable care. By the way, I am a Landscape Architect by training. The plant breeding is a hobby that took off.
Own root plants, that are genetically predisposed to good branching, will always try to achieve a well rounded plant habit before they exhibit their maximum potential height. If your plant is a young ownroot plant, that would explain why it blooms a lot but is only 16 inches tall.
If your plant is a weak grafted plant, it will also exhibit the characteristics of an ownroot plant before it reaches its stage in life of normal potential vigor of a grafted plant.
Then there are the subjects of care, maintenance and environmental influences which complicate plant growth results even more.
I expect with good care and unforeseen negative factors, your plant of Tahitian Treasure will gain additional stature next year. All perennial plants always do better in subsequent years.
I will contact the Star Rose people about the height that is listed in Star Roses promotional material at 5 to 5 1/2 feet. I will also let them know that they left out fragrance for my rose Apricot Nectar. While I can barely denote the fragrance, most people that I've contacted say that Apricot Nectar is noticeably fragrant.
The subject of people being able to denote fragrance is a another subject for a different time but I can say that plant fragrance perception is greatly influenced by personal differences, much like colorblindness influences vision.
Tahitian Treasure is fully crown hardy in zone 5a with year round mulch. I haven't heard of others trying it further north. It is a seedling of mine of which I made the cross in 1992; the original plant is 22 years old and doing well.
Bill, I've noticed you use Razzle Dazzle a lot, this is supposedly an average Floribunda from decades ago yet you've created a some wonders from it. How come? I find that to be quite interesting. Also, why is it that this rose (Tahitian Treasure) is not better known? Well, I have one on order for this spring and will report back on how it grows for me here in zone 6a.
Well this will be my second attempt... I ordered it last year from Edmunds Roses but it was too late in the season, rose arrived, I planted it, it started growing then died (most likely canker, this was in July). I've got it coming this spring from Garden Valley Ranch since Edmunds does not have it this year.
I'm a big fan of your roses, awesome job with them, I have everyone you have released either planted or to be planted this spring. Current favorites are Milwaukee's Calatrava and Ramblin' Red (another Razzle Dazzle descendant!). I'm excited to see Tahitian Treasure, I hope it reblooms a lot like your Knock Outs!
