Northwest Blooms · Roses
Rosa 'Coretta Scott King'
Coretta Scott King Grandliflora Rose
- Rose type
- Grandiflora
- Height
- 3 to 5 feet
- Bloom size
- Large (4–5 in)
- Flower color
- Creamy white centers with coral-pink or coral-orange edges
- Fragrance
- Moderate
About this plant
Rosa 'Coretta Scott King' is a grandiflora rose featuring clusters of coral-range blooms with creamy-white centers that open from long, pointed buds in late spring and continue through fall. Each full, cupped flower carries a moderate tea-spicy fragrance. Supported by glossy, dark green foliage, its sturdy stems create elegant bouquets and garden presence, while rose hips may follow later in the season for added autumn interest.
Developed by Tom Carruth and introduced by Weeks Roses in 2007, this rose honors the legacy of the civil rights leader Coretta Scott King. It earned accolades including All-America Rose Selections in 2014 for exceptional disease resistance and reliable reblooming. Rosa 'Coretta Scott King' combines refined beauty, fragrance, and performance in beds, containers, or as a commemorative landscape accent.
Planting & care
Roses reward a sunny, open site with at least six hours of direct light, good air movement, and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Water deeply and less often, soaking the root zone while keeping the leaves dry, and mulch with two to three inches of compost or shredded bark held back from the canes. Feed repeat-blooming roses in early spring as growth starts and again after the first flush, then prune in late winter to remove dead or crossing canes and open the center. Grandifloras carry clustered blooms on taller stems, so a sturdy, open framework pays off.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Portland International Rose Test Garden.
