Shrub rose plant named &#8216;Ausquest&#8217;

Shrub rose plant having a robust and very branching growth habit; large, rosette-shaped flowers, cupped at first, peals reflexing later having a soft apricot color, paling to pale cream on outer petals; and freely produced flowers at the ends of slightly arching stems.

GENUS AND SPECIES

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of rose plant of the shrub class which was originated by me by crossing an unnamed seedling, with the variety AUSgold , (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,688).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new rose variety having a very free-flowering and healthy plant with flowers of the classic English rose shape and with a good fragrance.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective was substantially achieved, along with other desirable improvements, as evidenced by the following unique combination of characteristics that are outstanding in the new variety and that distinguish it from its parents, as well as from all other varieties of which I am aware:

1. Robust and very branching shrub;

3. Soft apricot color, paling to pale cream on outer petals; and

4. Freely produced flowers at the end of slightly arching stems.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding on Rosa dumetorum laxa rootstock, as performed at Albrighton, England, shows that the foregoing and all other characteristics and distinctions come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

AUSquest differs from its seed parent in that the latter has rose pink flowers compared to AUSquests apricot colored flowers and differs from its pollen parent which has rounded flowers as compared to AUSquest's rosette-shaped flowers.

COMPARISON WITH SIMILAR VARIETY

AUSquest differs from AUSbaker (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 09/705,463, filed Nov. 2, 2000), the most similar variety, in that AUSquest is broad and bushy with medium green foliage whereas AUSbaker has a large, arching growth habit and has dark green foliage.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of my new rose cultivar with color descriptions using terminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society (London) Colour Chart, except where ordinary dictionary significance of color is indicated.

FLOWER

Observations made from plants of 6 years of age grown in a garden environment at Albrighton, England.

Size . About 0.4 inches long when the petals start to unfurl.

Form . The bud form is globular.

Color . When sepals first divide, bud color is Yellow Group 4D. When half blown, the upper sides of the petals are White Group 155B; and the lower sides of the petals are Yellow Group 4D.

Size . Medium. Average open size is diameter is about 3.2 inches.

Borne . Singly and in small, irregular clusters of up to four blooms.

Form . When first open: Globular with outer petals curled back. Permanence: Outer petals curl back.

Petalage . Number of petals under normal conditions: 95-110.

Color . The upper sides of the petals are White Group 155B. The reverse sides of the petals are White Group 155D. Both upper and reverse sides at the base are Yellow Group 10C. The major color on the upper side is White Group 155B, but the base color RHS 10C appears as blossom approaches its full open stage.

Discoloration . The general tonality at the end of the first day: Yellow-White Group 158B. As bloom ages color deepens to Yellow Group 10D with reddish spots.

Base shape . Goes to point.

Form. Tips of outer petals slightly recurved, center petal edges slightly quill.

Persistence . Petals hang on and dry.

Lastingness . On the plant: Long (seven days). As a cut flower: Not tested.

Anthers . Color: Yellow Group 12A. Arrangement: Tucked in calyx or partly so, mixed with petaloids.

Number of leaflets on normal mid - stem leaves . 5-7.

Color . New foliage: Upper side: Green Group 137B, red tint on edges. Lower side: Green Group 137D. Old foliage: Upper side: Green Group 139A. Lower side: Green Group 137A.

Size . About 2 inches long 1.6 inches wide.

Shape . Round and pointed (cuspidate).

Disease resistance . Resistant to mildew, blackspot and rust under normal growing conditions.

Pest resistance . Not tested.

Quantity . On main canes from base: Ordinary. On laterals from main canes: Ordinary.

Color when young . Yellow-Green Group 144C. Tip is Greyed-Purple Group 187C.

Color when mature . Greyed-Red Group 181A.

Climate hardiness: Hardy in Zones 4 to 9.