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Pacific Southwest District
of the American Rose Society


Southern California, Southern Nevada,
Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas

October 2006 Rose of the Month:
Heather Sproul

By Suzanne Horn

Heather Sproul Bouquet
Heather Sproul
Test Garden
Photo by Peter Alonso
Our rose of the month for October is the most beautiful medium pink miniature rose ever to be introduced, Heather Sproul.  Named after the wife of its creator, this lovely rose was hybridized by the talented rose breeder Jim Sproul of “Roses by Design” in Bakersfield, California.  Jim, you may recall, is the man who hybridized such exciting and novel introductions to the rose world as AOE winners This Is The Day and Life Lines, as well as the award-winning grandiflora Honey Dijon.

Heather Sproul (SPRoheather) is a cross of Hot Tamale and a seedling whose breeding is Lynn Anderson x Tournament of Roses.  Classified by the American Rose Society as a medium pink (mp), it was recently introduced into commerce in 2004.

The long tapered buds unfurl to reveal perfectly formed, high centered exhibition blooms with excellent substance.  The bright, clear pink blossoms average about 2 inches in diameter with anywhere from 17 to 25 petals, and they are framed by rich, semi-glossy, dark green foliage.  A prolific bloomer, the bush is frequently covered with beautiful blushing pink roses.  Flushes appear throughout the growing season, right through until pruning time in winter.  It is also relatively low growing, reaching a height of between 18 and 24 inches tall.  Therefore, it makes an excellent hedge or border plant, an eye-catching splash of color in the landscape, and is also a perfect choice for a container.

Heather Sproul
Heather Sproul
Photo by Baldo Villegas

Overall, Heather Sproul is an excellent rose that presents very few downsides.  It does lack any significant fragrance, which is common among miniature roses.  Furthermore, it is also not an overly robust plant and takes some time to establish itself.  However, it is well worth waiting for!  It produces attractive sprays or it can be disbudded for one bloom per stem.  These perfectly spiraled blooms and lush sprays are delightful in the garden and also make lovely displays as cut flowers for the home and office.

A particular plus for this outstanding miniature rose is its excellent disease resistance.  It is completely resistant to powdery mildew!  I have never seen a speck of mildew on Heather Sproul, even with the rest of the garden was down with it.

Although this rose was only introduced to the buying public in 2004, there are a few test gardens where it was growing prior to the time of its introduction.  One of those gardens was that of top rose exhibitor Peter Alonso.  Incorporated within this article you will see a luscious bouquet of these beauties, which Peter arranged and photographed prior to its introduction.

Heather Sproul has proved to be not only a beautiful garden rose but an excellent show rose as well.  It has been winning Queens of Show since November of 2004, when I won the first one in Mesa, Arizona.  It is now winning as one bloom per stem and also in the miniature spray classes, and is considered the best medium pink miniature show rose by exhibitors from coast to coast.

In conclusion, Heather Sproul is a must-have addition to the gardens of miniature rose lovers and exhibitors alike.  This outstanding mini is now available through its hybridizer at Roses by Design (www.rosesbydesign.com), from Almost Heaven Roses (www.almostheavenroses.com) and from Nor’East Miniature Roses (www.noreast-miniroses.com).