Veterans Honor for Hot Climates

‘Veterans’ Honor’ is a striking hybrid tea rose introduced in 2000 by Jackson & Perkins as a tribute to U.S. military veterans. Known for its rich, velvety red blooms, long stems, and outstanding vase life, it’s one of the most admired red roses in modern rose gardens. With proper care, it performs well in Texas, particularly in North and Central regions, where full sun, good drainage, and airflow support healthy growth and repeated flowering.

The blooms are classic in form—high-centered and long-lasting, with each flower reaching 4 to 5 inches across. This rose typically grows 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, and it blooms in repeated flushes from spring through fall, making it an excellent landscape and cutting garden rose.

Awards and Recognition:

‘Veterans’ Honor’ has received several major honors, including:

• All-America Rose Selections (AARS) Winner – 2000

• Best Hybrid Tea Rose – Portland Rose Society

• Outstanding Performance Awards from multiple regional rose trials

It is widely used in public gardens and military memorials for its symbolism and reliable performance.

Disease Considerations in Texas:

In Texas, ‘Veterans’ Honor’ performs best in full sun with good air circulation. While it shows moderate resistance to blackspot and mildew, it may require preventive fungicide sprays in humid areas like East Texas. Like most modern hybrid teas, it is susceptible to Rose Rosette Disease (RRD). There is no known resistance to RRD, so plant spacing, sanitation, and prompt removal of infected plants are critical.

Questions and Answers:

Q: Is ‘Veterans’ Honor’ a repeat bloomer?
A: Yes. It blooms continuously from spring through frost, especially with regular feeding and deadheading.

Q: Does it grow well in Texas heat?
A: It does best in North and Central Texas with well-drained soil, mulch, and consistent watering. Afternoon shade may help in extreme heat zones.

Q: Is it disease-resistant?
A: It has moderate resistance to blackspot but may need care in humid regions. It is not resistant to Rose Rosette Disease and should be monitored closely.

Q: How tall does it grow?
A: ‘Veterans’ Honor’ grows 4 to 5 feet tall, making it a good choice for formal beds or cutting gardens.

Q: Why is it award-winning?
A: It received the AARS award for its form, fragrance, repeat bloom, and garden reliability, especially in warmer climates. Its deep red color and symbolism make it a favorite for memorial plantings.