Dark Desire suprises
eweandbee
7 years ago
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Review of Hybrid Tea Dark Desire
Comments (79)I live in British Columbia and there can be wet, cold weather in spring. My Dark Desire is now 8 years old. It never, ever gets black spot and it is not overly thorny (the worst possible thorns are on Falling in Love.) These aspects are apparently very variable according to location. It would grow too tall and become leggy but I cut it down every sprng. I have to because the cold winter always causes some die off, but each spring it renews itself again. It needs a rejuvenation but I have no idea what more it needs than the fertilizer I provide each year. Too bad they can't talk....See MoreKordes Dark Desire or Desmond Tutu?
Comments (14)I have both of these roses in zone 5, and they're pretty different roses. Both are reliably hardy and bloom most of the season. I can't smell most roses and I don't reliably cut them for inside, so I'm no help on that one. Dark Desire is much taller and gangly as others have mentioned. The color is a to die for purplish red, but if you're looking for something closer to fire engine red this isn't quite a match. Because it's so gangly, it needs something to lean on or some supports when young (only had mine 2 years so it may toughen up). Mine is close to 6' by the end of the season, which is big for Nebraska. It might get bigger in warmer zones. It blooms off and on, with scattered blooms on the bush most of the season rather than the impression of a profusion of bloom. Here's a bloom shot: Here's what I think of as a typical bloom on Dark Desire: One reason I love the color is that you can get this nearly black effect in cool weather: Here's the closest I can find to a bush shot. The Oriental lilies are about 4' high, and there are other roses supporting DD as well as a stake or something nearby. DD isn't on the trellis, but I think I wrapped this clematis around both DD and the lilies to hold them up in my usual lazy fashion: Archbishop Desmond Tutu (or Tutu Sunbelt that Chris says is the same rose) is kind of the opposite of Dark Desire. It's compact and a bushy vase shape, never getting above 3' and suited for the bed around my mailbox. When it blooms, it looks like a bundle of roses clustered together because of the small size of the bush. The color is more true red with just a hint of blue/purple. This is as dark as the blooms get in cool weather: You can see the more typical color in this July shot. This is a full bush shot and shows the nicely branched shape as well as more buds on the way. For prolific bloom, I'd have to give ADT the edge over DD: So bottom line, you need them both (smile). If the color and form of DD makes your heart go zing, then that's the one you want. If you want a more traditional looking red rose that stays mannerly, then ADT is a better bet. If I had to choose only one, I'd probably reluctantly edge ADT for frequency of bloom, but the color of DD makes MY heart zing and I really wouldn't want to choose. Different roses, both good for different things. Cynthia...See MoreWhat roses would you flank Dark Desire with?
Comments (23)Well I think I am still going to put it in the corner with Royal Jubilee on one side and The Lark Ascending on the other (flowersaremusic). I am really hoping it comes out more purple than red but with all the indecision, I can always move it if I don't like it. It's not a prominent place in the garden but if it's red, it's gonna stick out. I'm afraid if I put it with Blaze it will be too much of a centerpiece which is not my intent. I really like the purples and considered putting Ebb Tide in that corner place but then again I won't have a place for DD. Munstead Wood is in the next corner and DD can't be too far off in color from that, so maybe it will work out. Thank you all for your suggestions and pictures, I sure appreciate it!...See MoreDark Desire bush shape question?
Comments (29)I grow Dark Desire. My only complaint is the thorns. My DD is one of my oldest plants. I bought it from Chamblees own roots. And it actually does quite well in my nematode infested ground. In fact, when it goes off patton I want to try and root it and try it as a root stock. My Dark Desire every once in awhile will put out a rose with a white streak, but not as much as when it was a young plant. My DD grows straight up putting Jack's Magic bean stalk to shame... it grows VERY tall. but not wide. Nor does it grow at weird angles..... however, by accident I found if you pull a cane over it will actually put out laterals and you will get a lot more roses..... I wish I would have know that when I originally planted him because I would have put in him in a different place. Right now it is hard to make him grow with laterals because, he then crowds my other roses..... and with his thorns, I then can't maneuver around the other bushes without getting ATTACKED. He does have a nice fragrance. Granted I am in a different zone, but if you have room I would say to give him another try....See MoreUser
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