It is time to start the Rose of the Week posts again. I have been a bit lax and the first spring flush has all but gone. There is always so much to do in spring I seem to miss it every year. My rose garden is about 200 metres from our house so I have to make an effort to go and see it and I never seem to. There is always something that needs to be done and no time to be wandering aimlessly through roses. The other day, as we were leaving Bridgetown, I said to Maus, “I have to get a rose photo.”
Betty Cuthbert was the first to catch my eye. For those who are not Australian, for all Australians would know, Betty Cuthbert won three gold medals at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games and has since been known as The Golden Girl. Then, at the age of 31, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This lovely rose was named after her for her dedication to the needs of people living with multiple sclerosis.
Betty Cuthbert is described in literature as an apricot or apricot blend rose and as having a nice range of hues from soft apricot through to cream. But as you can see from the photo, mine is more apricot/pink.
Betty Cuthbert is a modern shrub rose. It has large clusters of full blooms with the petals arranged formally in a camellia like fashion.
The bush is hardy and disease free. It reportedly grows to 1.5m tall and 60cm high but mine is more like 60cm high and 1.5m wide.
Betty Cuthbert was discovered by Kordes & Sons (Germany) in 2005 and introduced in Australia by Treloar Roses Pty Ltd in 2010.
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I have some friends here on the Sunshine Coast who have just begun growing roses. I wonder how they grow near the water since it’s only 20 metres from the house. I used to have a gorgeous rose garden and had roses in every room when they were in bloom. This Betty Cuthbert is gorgeous.
Hi Maureen. How do rose go your way? I bet the humidity is a problem.
What a stunning rose!
Thanks Tandy
So glad to see your rose posts return, Glenda, and you sure picked a beauty to mark the occasion. It sounds to me like it was named after a truly remarkable woman. A great pairing.
Thanks John. I will have to get my act together and take a few photos. What an honour to have a rose named after you. She deserved it.
A truly classic pretty rose. I love the darker shading of the buds in comparison with the romantic hues of the blooms 🙂
They are all pretty, aren’t they?
I have been hoping you’d do a summer rose series again. Betty Cuthbert is a beauty. Does she have a fragrance?
Sandra, the spiel says ‘ light’. I am in Perth so I can’t check it out. I will be in B’town later in the week so I will let you know if there is any fragrance.
Wow, that’s a stunner Glenda!
Liz, they are all beautiful.
Such a beautiful rose & I love the dedication to those living with multiple sclerosis. I can tell you that it’s such a dreadful and unpredictable disease often striking those at the prime of their lives. I’m going to have to look into this one for my own gardens.
Hi Diane, I am pretty sure it has been released in the US.