Tropicana or Fragrant Cloud?

9 years ago

I need one bright orange rose that fills a room with fragrance and is good in a vase. These 2 seem neck in neck in terms of reviews at Dave's. Does anyone here have any experience with these? Or a bright orange rose that might be better?

Featured Answer

strawchicago z5

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Hi Terri: I grew Tropicana, Fragrant Cloud, and Bronze Star. Cheap $4 bare-root Fragrant cloud was a wimp during spring flood, so it died before giving a bloom to sniff. Also saw FC in a pot at the store, with blooms but tons of blackspots during spring rain .. sniffed that, not much scent. But I sniffed that during cool weather,

Perhaps Fragrant Cloud is more fragrant in hot weather? Khalid can give you a better review on Fragrant cloud, since he grows it in his hot zone 9b climate.

Bronze Star is a water-hog, needs lots of water to bloom. The bloom lasts long in the vase, and very large & fragrant.

Tropicana was very vigorous & tall & gaudy on Dr.Huey, but zero scent. CONCLUSION: For hot & dry summer, Fragrant Cloud is the best choice. For tons of rain, Bronze Star is best.

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Comments (9)

Anna
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I had fragrant cloud last season on dr Huey . I was disappointed with its performance ( short, wimpy) . I would recommend you to try on Fortuniana.
Terri S thanked Anna
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kittymoonbeam
9 years ago
Fragrant cloud has one of the best perfumes of HT class. It's strong and just a little different which makes it memorable.
Terri S thanked kittymoonbeam
Terri S
Original Author
9 years ago
Kittymoonbeam - That is what I hoped to hear. I have a lot of nice strong healthy plants but if they do not knock me out with fragrance I'm not interested. That is why I love wimpy little Blue Moon so much. I plant among perennials so a wimpy but healthy rose bush is covered up anyway. I have high hopes for Fragrant Cloud!
Khalid Waleed (zone 9b Isb)
9 years ago
Terri S: Fragrant Cloud is good and has nice perfume too. You may also consider Troika. Blooms shape and vase life of Troika is better than FC but may be it is a shade lower in intensity of fragrance.

I grow both FC and Troika. When in full bloom, Troika literally overshadows FC in beauty and elegance though FC is a clear winner in fragrance. I am not sure which climatic zone you live. Both do extremely well when the weather is a bit cooler in my zone 9b climate but when it is very hot, FC is a better performer.

Westerland is another rose that you might like to consider. It's not a classic bright orange that you are looking for but has good fragrance and vase life.

Few DA roses that are orange and have good fragrance but do not have a good vase life. Pat Austin, Lady Emma Hamilton and Summer Song, all have wonderful fragrance but vase life is not good.

best regards
strawchicago z5
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Khalid: I really appreciate the info. you gave on Westerland. Fantastic photography that shows the foliage !! I need an orange rose that lasts long in the vase. Jay-Jay in zone 6 (Netherlands) posted on how vigorous his Westerland in the winter.

Serena in zone 6 Kansas really likes her Troika, she shared with me how tall & vigorous that rose is. Agree with Anna that Fragrant Cloud is a wimp on Dr.Huey (short & full of B.S. in a pot at the store during rain).
ladybug A 9a Houston area
7 years ago
Terri, which one did you end up picking? I am looking for something , same criteria. Thanks!
Melons1054
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Started FC next to an ancient brick wall in Philadelphia. Just left it alone and in four years it was a monster. Had black spot but still grew. Sprayed for aphids. Produced tons of huge very fragrant blooms. I think the sandy loam on what was once a river bed is what made it thrive.
ann beck 8a ruralish WA
5 years ago
I will add that I have both FC and Tropicana grafted. FC has amazing scent, while Tropicana has almost none. A nurseryman in HI said that his Tropicana had lots more scent after he made it own root, but he also suspects that there might be cheap fake Tropicanas, so don't get body bagged big box store.