Ausmerchant

Rose

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Aushunter' (Jubilee Celebration)

Summary: The plants of 'Ausmerchant' are taller than those of 'Aushunter'. The newly opened leaflet of 'Ausmerchant' has strong anthocyanin colouration on the entire leaf while that of 'Aushunter' has medium to strong anthocyanin colouration on the margin only. The flower bud of 'Ausmerchant' is red whereas it is orange red to light red pink with light yellow at the base for 'Aushunter'. The petal of 'Ausmerchant' is wider than that of 'Aushunter'. The basal spot on the inner side of the petal of 'Ausmerchant' is small and yellow while that of 'Aushunter' is large and yellow green at the base fading outwards to light yellow. The outer side of the petal of 'Ausmerchant' is light blue pink with red pink at the base and a white underlay towards the apex while that of 'Aushunter' is white with light yellow at the base.

Description:

PLANT: shrub, semi-upright growth habit
YOUNG SHOOT: weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration
STEM: medium number of prickles, reddish

PETIOLE: anthocyanin colouration present
LEAF: strong anthocyanin colouration on newly opened leaflets, medium intensity of green on upper side, no anthocyanin colouration, medium glossiness of upper side, weak undulation of margin
TERMINAL LEAFLET: medium elliptic, rounded base, acuminate apex

FLOWERING SHOOT: no flowering laterals, few to medium number of flowers
FLOWER BUD: broad ovate in longitudinal section, red (RHS 42B)
FLOWER: double, pink colour group, dense petals, round, profile of upper part is flattened convex, profile of lower part is concave, medium fragrance
SEPAL: weak extensions
PETALS: no reflexing one-by-one, obovate, weak incision at apex, medium reflexing of margin, medium undulation, intensity of colour is lighter towards the top, inner side is red pink (RHS 48D) developing orange brown (RHS 170C) tones in lower two thirds, outer side is light blue pink (RHS 62C) with red pink (closest to RHS 48B-C) at base with a lighter underlay of white (RHS N155B) towards the apex
BASAL SPOT ON INNER SIDE: small, yellow (RHS 7A)
FILAMENT: light yellow

Origin & Breeding History: 'Ausmerchant' originated from normal sexual hybridization of two unnamed English rose seedlings. The cross was conducted in 2002 at Bowling Lane Green in Albrighton, England by Mr. Austin of David Austin Roses Ltd. 'Ausmerchant' was selected by Mr. Austin as it forms a good, branching shrub that is healthy and repeat flowers extremely well.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Ausmerchant' were conducted in an outdoor container trial during the summer of 2013 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial consisted of a total of 9 plants of the candidate variety and 10 plants of the reference variety. All plants were grown from bare-rooted plants and transplanted into 13 litre containers. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on July 7, 2013. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Ausmerchant' with reference variety 'Aushunter'

Plant height during second flush (cm)

Colour of flower bud (RHS)

Petal width (cm)

Colour of basal spot (RHS)

Colour of outer side of petal (RHS)

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Rose: 'Ausmerchant' (left) with reference variety 'Aushunter' (right)

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Rose: 'Ausmerchant' (left) with reference variety 'Aushunter' (right)

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Rose: 'Ausmerchant' (left) with reference variety 'Aushunter' (right)