Twice In A Blue Moon Rose Bushes

Twice in a Blue Moon Hybrid Tea Rose

Twice in a Blue Moon is far and away the best of the blue roses. As with the black tulip, so it is with the blue rose; there is no genuine blue in the rose world. But this is a rose that comes close. The huge, heavily scented and classically shaped flowers are, in truth, a silver lilac but with a hint of blue as well. This is a stunning rose. It is never overburdened with flowers (it would collapse if it were) but Twice in a Blue Moon flowers steadily and reliably from early June until late October.

It has taken over from Blue Moon as the pre-eminent 'blue' rose. Healthier, more vigorous and carrying many more flowers there is little comparison between the two apart from their colour. So, if you are in the market for a silver lilac hybrid tea rose then you should not have to look any further, but if not or if you are looking for companion roses to plant in the same border, then take a look at our full range of UK grown roses here

Great for your garden

Twice in a Blue Moon needs a good position as it will be a star of your rose border, so find it a good place with plenty of light and deep, moisture retentive soil. Plant it where you can get at it easily - if for no better reason than it is both very fragrant and a great cutting rose so it will attract visitors! It is a typically sized hybrid tea, growing to about 4ft (1.2m) at the most. As with so many roses the best layout is planted in a group. If your colour scheme does not allow for a blue rose then find a home for at least one in your cutting bed as it is long stemmed and perfect for flower arrangements.

Rosa Twice in a Blue Moon facts

• Type: Hybrid Tea
• Colour: Silver/lilac with a hint of blue
• Flower shape: Fully double, classic high centred hybrid tea
• Fragrance strength: Strong
• Final height and spread: 4ft x 3ft
• Flowering season: All summer
• Repeat Flowering: Yes
• Disease resistance: Good

Trivia

Twice in a Blue Moon is a german rose, bred by Bred by Hans Jurgen Evers but introduced by Tantau Roses in 2004. It also was the inspiration behind the title of Ferry Corsten's third album of the same name. He felt that he was doubly blessed by the love of his wife and his daughter; something he said could only happen twice in a blue moon. [Just not quite sure that Dutch Trance is my thing - Ed]

How to plant Twice in a Blue Moon Roses

Choose a spot in the border with the best light. Dig a hole deep enough so that the rose will be planted with the graft union at soil level and with plenty of room for its roots. Improve the soil from the hole by removing roots, weeds, large stones and other detritus and mixing in a good measure of well rotted compost or manure. Add Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi in the botton of the hole so it will make contact with the roots. If planting pot grown roses gently loosen some roots out of the ball before planting.

Position your Twice in a Blue Moon rose so its roots are spread out and backfill the hole with soil, firming it gently as you go. Keep the union at the level of the surrounding soil. Water in thoroughly.

You can order bareroot roses at any time and plant them from November to April, or container roses are available all year round.