CANDY STRIPE – pink-white hybrid tea rose - McCummings
If You like roses that are easy to enjoy yet look expertly grown, Candy Stripe is an upright hybrid tea that gives You classic, high‑centred blooms without demanding complicated care, even in areas where heavy soils and frequent rain mean You need to think about drainage. Its large, long‑stemmed flowers are ideal for cutting, with a strong, lasting fragrance that brings the feeling of a florist’s bouquet straight into Your home. The distinctive pink‑and‑cream striping stands out in front gardens and cottage‑style beds, while the shrub’s moderate height keeps it neat and easy to fit into an average‑sized Irish garden. As an own‑root rose it settles in reliably, rebuilding from the base if ever cut back hard, for a long lifespan and stable shape. Year one focuses on strong roots, year two on fuller shoots, and by year three You can expect its full ornamental value in the border.
Use cases
| Target area | Reason |
|---|
| Feature rose in a sunny front garden bed |
Upright habit and moderate size make it simple to place near paths or windows, giving a tidy, elegant look without dominating a small family front garden; ideal if You want impact from a single, reliable plant for beginners |
| Cutting patch for home bouquets |
Hybrid tea, long‑stemmed flowers with high‑centred buds are excellent for cutting and arranging in vases, so even a small group of plants can provide regular, garden‑grown roses for the house for busy-owners |
| Pollinator-friendly cottage border |
Full yet open‑centred blooms with exposed stamens attract bees, so it fits naturally into relaxed cottage or rural-style borders where You would like a romantic rose that also supports garden wildlife for nature-lovers |
| Mixed bed with perennials in heavy Irish soils |
Own‑root plants adapt gradually to the local soil and care routine, coping well once established in clay‑based borders where good preparation for excess winter moisture and dependable drainage is important for gardeners |
| Small group planting for colourful summer display |
Repeat-flowering habit means the second flush is also abundant, so groups of 3–5 plants give a long season of colour with just light deadheading and feeding, ideal if You prefer steady interest over short-lived bursts for families |
| Solitary specimen near a seating area |
Strong, long‑lasting scent is best appreciated up close, making it perfect beside a bench or patio where You can enjoy fragrance in the evenings without needing to manage a large rose collection for relaxation-seekers |
| Hedge-like row along a path or driveway |
Recommended spacing of around 40–50 cm allows You to create a low, flowering line that guides visitors, with repeat blooms and a consistent height that stay manageable in average suburban plots for homeowners |
| Large container on a sunny patio or balcony |
Performs well in a spacious pot if planted in at least a 40–50 litre container with regular watering, giving hybrid‑tea style flowers close to the house without needing a big bed, especially useful for compact urban outdoor spaces for urban-gardeners |
Decorating ideas
- Striped focal point – Plant as a single specimen by the front gate, underplanted with Alchemilla mollis to catch raindrops and soften the base – perfect for welcoming visitors to small family homes
- Romantic trio – Group three plants in a sunny border with low Hemerocallis and airy Mexican daisies for a soft, cottage look – ideal for those who like naturalistic, low-fuss planting
- Cutting corner – Dedicate a sunny bed near the kitchen door to Candy Stripe for easy-access cut flowers – suited to people who enjoy arranging their own scented bouquets indoors
- Patio perfume – Grow one plant in a 40–50 litre container beside outdoor seating so blooms and fragrance are close at hand – great for balcony and terrace gardeners
- Striped pathway – Line a short path with evenly spaced plants, edging with lavender or rosemary for contrast in texture and scent – attractive for homeowners aiming for a smart yet manageable front approach
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
CANDY STRIPE – pink-white hybrid tea rose (Hybrid Tea group); trade name Candy Stripe Hybrid tea rose McCummings; ARS exhibition name Candy Stripe; collection and commercial group: hybrid tea rose. |
| Origin and breeding |
Sport of ‘Pink Peace’, bred by Edward McCummings in the United States in 1962; introduced and registered in 1963 by Conard-Pyle (USA); breeding company data otherwise not available. |
| Growth and structure |
Compact, upright hybrid tea shrub, typically 80–110 cm high and 60–85 cm wide; moderately dense, matt dark green foliage; moderately thorny stems; best effect as a feature plant or in small groups. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, high-centred hybrid tea flowers, 26–39 petals, usually borne singly on stems; classic pointed buds suitable for cutting; repeat-flowering with a particularly generous second flush in season. |
| Colour and phenology |
Mid-pink petals irregularly streaked with cream-white; darker buds with pale streaks, then lighter pink with broader stripes; colour holds well, with cooler weather intensifying pattern and strong sun gently softening contrast. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, long-lasting scent characteristic of perfumed hybrid teas; best enjoyed when planted near paths, doors or seating areas where air movement can carry fragrance; suitable for scented cut-flower use indoors. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Produces numerous ornamental hips, 8–12 mm in diameter, spherical and orange-red; attractive in late season and useful where winter structure and colour are valued after flowering has finished. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Rated hardy to around −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); resistant to powdery mildew and black spot, moderate susceptibility to rust; tolerates heat but needs watering during prolonged dry spells. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with well-drained soil; prefers regular feeding and deadheading, as self-cleaning is weak; spacing 40–75 cm depending on use, with planting densities around 4.2–4.8 plants/m² for massed effects. |
CANDY STRIPE offers repeat flowers for cutting, strong fragrance and adaptable own-root growth that matures into a long-lived, reliable shrub; a thoughtful choice if You want a beautiful rose without complicated care.
