Rosa, Dark Night

12 years ago

I bought a Hybrid Tea rose about 15 years ago. The tag was labeled, 'Dark Night'.

I have never been able to find out anything about it.

It looks in every way like the climbing rose, Don Juan, deep velvety red petals and shiny dark green leaves, but the outer petals turn dark, almost black as it ages. It is a beautiful rose and just as fragrant as the Don Juan.

After I moved it to a new location, I nearly lost it due to voles gnawing on the roots, but it struggled on. And then last year's severe drought and triple digit temps for four months was really hard on it. But it is a survivor - tough as nails.

I planted Black and Blue Salvia next to it a few years ago and it now surrounds the rose and that seems to have deterred the voles, because they now longer pester it.

This spring, we are getting mild temps and lots of rain, and it has rebounded, new growth and looking really good. It even has bloom buds forming.

Can anyone tell me anything about this rose?

Thanks.

~Annie

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

petaloid
12 years ago
Is it possible that the label said, "Dark Knight" with a K?

That is a dark red hybrid tea rose from Christensen, which is apparently no longer in commerce. From your description, it sounds lovely.

The rose called Dark Night is a newly introduced rose, which I grow. Its original name was Garden Director Bartje Miller, after a woman who has been an important part of our local rose gardening organizations.
Annie
Original Author
12 years ago
petaloid,

You are correct. I looked it up on line and saw that the 'Dark Night' looks NOTHING like my old rose and that it is a new variety.

I also found the topic on the discussion board and read all that everyone said about the new rose and saw the photos. Wow! That is such an unusual looking rose...that and 'Ketchup and Mustard' both!!!

And, you are correct about the name of my rose being, 'Dark Knight'. The tag has long ago since disappeared, but when I bought it, I thought that was a catchy name. I kept looking for it by that spelling (with the "K") and couldn't find it anywhere, so thought, well maybe it was just another misnamed flower/rose from Lowe's (like that doesn't happen - ya right)

Thank you for the information on it. I will cherish it even more now that is no longer being produced and sold. Tiz a pity, really. It is a wonderful rose. As I said, it is like a bush-form of the red climber 'Don Juan'. What's not to love?

~Annie
Related Professionals
Belmont Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Clemson Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Simi Valley Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Deerfield Beach Landscape Contractors · Farmington Landscape Contractors · Fountain Valley Landscape Contractors · Mequon Landscape Contractors · Riverhead Landscape Contractors · Bellingham General Contractors · Brighton General Contractors · Cape Girardeau General Contractors · Lakewood Park General Contractors · Newington General Contractors · North Lauderdale General Contractors · Tabernacle General Contractors
petaloid
12 years ago
Annie, my Dark Night is a deep, smoky red with an ivory reverse and glossy foliage. It seems to be doing well in my climate, although inland friends have to use some fungicide to keep the foliage clean. I have seen Ketchup and Mustard in person and it may find its way into my garden too.

Yes, it is a pity that Dark Knight is no longer sold. So many great roses are dropped every year -- marketing strategy, I suppose.