Belinda's Dream rose
Belinda’s Dream Rose: A Beautiful, Fragrant, and Disease-Resistant Shrub
Belinda’s Dream rose is a stunning pink shrub admired for its beauty, fragrance, and resilience. Bred by Dr. Robert E. Basye in 1988, this rose is known for its lush, double blooms and fruity, raspberry-like scent. It stands out as one of the most disease-resistant varieties, making it a popular choice for gardens, landscapes, and as a cut flower. It was the first rose to receive the prestigious Earth-Kind® designation, proving its ability to thrive in various conditions.
Elegant Blooms with a Delicious Fragrance
The Belinda’s Dream rose features medium pink, complete, and luscious flowers, with over 41 petals forming each bloom. These blossoms can grow up to 4 inches in diameter, making them eye-catching in any garden. The flowers appear in flushes throughout the growing season, providing continuous beauty from spring through fall.
Another highlight of this rose is its fragrance, which is delightfully fruity and raspberry-scented. This makes the flowers not only visually stunning but also perfect for filling your garden or home with a lovely scent. Whether you’re using the blooms as a garden centerpiece or for cut flower arrangements, they will certainly make an impression.
Growth Habit and Disease Resistance
This medium shrub can grow up to 5 feet tall and equally wide, with arching, bushy growth. Its bluish-green foliage provides a striking contrast to the vivid pink blooms. Known for its resilience, this rose is highly disease-resistant and performs well in various climates, especially in USDA zones 7a through 11.
The plant’s heat tolerance and ability to withstand disease, including black spots in more relaxed, damp climates, make it an ideal choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance roses. Light pruning encourages more blooms and improves the overall appearance of the shrub, which remains vigorous even when faced with common garden challenges.
Ideal for Various Garden Uses
Thanks to its upright and bushy form, the rose is versatile and can be used in multiple ways in a garden. It’s perfect for garden beds, borders, landscapes, or large pots. The rose’s stunning appearance and consistent blooming make it an excellent focal point in any space, while its disease resistance means less maintenance for the gardener.
If you’re looking for a beautiful yet challenging rose, this variety will not disappoint. It was bred to withstand the hot temperatures of Texas but thrives in various climates, making it a reliable option for gardeners across many regions.
Characteristics
- Color: Medium pink
- Bloom Size: 4 inches in diameter
- Petal Count: 41+ petals, very full double blooms
- Fragrance: Fruity, raspberry scent
- Growth Habit: Medium shrub, upright, bushy, arching
- Height: 5 feet
- Width: 5 feet
- Foliage: Glossy, dark green, bluish-green foliage
- Bloom Season: Continuous flushes from spring to fall
- USDA Zones: 7a to 11
- Heat Tolerance: High
- Disease Resistance: Very disease-resistant, including black spot
- Uses: Cut flowers, garden, landscape, pots
- Pruning: Light pruning improves appearance and promotes frequent blooming
History and Breeding
Developed by Dr. Robert Basye, a mathematics professor at Texas A&M University, Belinda’s Dream was introduced in 1992. It is a cross between the ‘Tiffany’ and ‘Jersey Beauty’ roses and was named after the daughter of a close friend of the breeder. This variety was specifically designed to withstand the heat of Texas, but its adaptability allows it to perform well in a range of conditions. The rose was the first to earn the Earth-Kind® designation from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, a mark of its superior resilience and low-maintenance qualities.
