Folk Singer

Folk Singer is a yellow blend shrub rose introduced in 1984. This is a relatively early bloomer for Texas. It is important to remember in Texas, how large shrub roses grow. In six years Folksinger has grown to over six feet in height and almost five feet wide.

The ‘Folk Singer’ rose is a shrub rose developed by Dr. Griffith Buck. Known for its apricot to creamy-yellow blooms and resilience, it’s part of Buck’s collection bred for cold hardiness and low maintenance. It features a strong, spicy fragrance and large, double blooms that fade gracefully as they age. The plant forms a broad, bushy shrub and is a reliable rebloomer throughout the growing season.

‘Folk Singer’ performs well in Central and North Texas, tolerating alkaline soils and summer heat if given moderate irrigation. In East Texas, it benefits from good air circulation and spacing to reduce humidity-related fungal pressure. It’s drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal spraying or fuss—hallmarks of Buck’s breeding philosophy.

‘Folk Singer’ compares to other Buck roses like ‘Carefree Beauty’?

Both are tough and low-maintenance. ‘Carefree Beauty’ is larger and more vigorous, with pink blooms, while ‘Folk Singer’ offers a more refined shape and unique apricot coloring with similar disease resistance.

Disease Resistance and Maintenance

Disease Resistance: Strong resistance to blackspot and mildew
Fragrance: Medium to strong; spicy, distinctive
Size: Typically 4–5 feet tall and wide
Hardiness: Cold hardy and heat tolerant
Pruning: Light pruning to shape; deadheading encourages rebloom
Awards: While not an Earth-Kind® rose, it shares many Earth-Kind traits and is often recommended in sustainable rose programs

1. Q: Is ‘Folk Singer’ rose a good fit for Central Texas gardens?
A: Yes. It handles the alkaline, rocky soils of Central Texas well and tolerates heat and drought once established.

2. Q: How does ‘Folk Singer’ perform in humid East Texas?
A: It can perform well with proper spacing and airflow. Its Buck-bred disease resistance helps it manage East Texas humidity without regular spraying.

3. Q: Does ‘Folk Singer’ have a strong fragrance?
A: Yes. It has a medium to strong, spicy scent, uncommon for shrub roses of its class.

4. Q: What color are the blooms, and do they change over time?
A: The blooms are apricot to pale yellow and often fade to a softer cream as they age, creating a layered visual effect on the shrub.

5. Q: How large does the ‘Folk Singer’ shrub get in Texas?
A: It typically grows 4–5 feet tall and wide, forming a full, bushy shape well-suited for borders or as a stand-alone specimen.

6. Q: Is ‘Folk Singer’ considered an Earth-Kind® rose?
A: No, but it shares many of the Earth-Kind standards—such as drought resistance, disease tolerance, and low maintenance—which is why it’s often included in sustainable rose plantings.

7. Q: How often does ‘Folk Singer’ bloom in Texas climates?
A: It blooms in flushes from spring through fall, especially if spent blooms are removed and the plant receives consistent watering.

8. Q: What soil type does ‘Folk Singer’ prefer?
A: It adapts to a wide range of soils, including clay and limestone-based soils common in Texas, as long as drainage is adequate.

9. Q: How much sun does ‘Folk Singer’ require in Texas?
A: Full sun (6+ hours daily) is ideal for best blooming and disease resistance, especially in more humid regions.

10. Q: How does ‘Folk Singer’ compare to other Buck roses like ‘Carefree Beauty’?
A: Both are tough and low-maintenance. ‘Carefree Beauty’ is larger and more vigorous, with pink blooms, while ‘Folk Singer’ offers a more refined shape and unique apricot coloring with similar disease resistance.

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