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Hot Cocoa™ |
Class: Floribunda
Habit: The medium tall, rounded and bushy plant grows 3 ½ feet by 4 ½ feet. Hot
Cocoa is best planted in groups, or used as a border. Plant it with yellow and orange
colored flowers and watch how they show off its unique and novel color. It will become the
centerpiece of any garden.
Disease Resistance: Excellent
Color: True to its name, Hot Cocoa produces sensual blooms of brownish-orange with
smoke on the topside and a deep rusty-orange on the underside. Some say the blooms are
“chocolate,” “brick,” or “russet” in color.
Bloom: Pointed, shapely buds, open to reveal beautiful double ruffled, four-inch
blooms with petal counts of 25 to 30. Hot Cocoa’s super glossy, dark green foliage
reflects all its amazing colors.
Fragrance: Moderate Fruity
Hybridizer: Tom Carruth hybridized Hot Cocoa. This is Carruth’s fourth AARS
winner. Known as “Mister Stripe” by many, Carruth has hybridizered the following
past AARS winners Betty Boop, Fourth of July and Scentimental.
Parentage: A combination of Playboy, Altissimo and Livin’ Easy.
Introducer: Hot Cocoa is introduced by Weeks Wholesale Rose Grower.
Availability: Hot Cocoa will be available online, through mail order catalogs and
at garden centers, nurseries, home centers and mass merchandisers during the 2003-planting
season.
Photo and text: AARS