Evaluation of Floribunda Rose (Rosa hybrida L.) Cultivars for Landscape Use under Punjab Condition

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate floribunda rose cultivars for landscape use under sub-tropical climate of the Punjab. Thirty cultivars were planted in Randomized Block Design, with three replications. Maximum plant height (53.67cm) was recorded in 'Banjaran', while plant-spread, leaf length and leaf breadth were maximum (90.83cm, 12.73cm and 9.10cm, respectively) in 'Brown Velvet'. The cv. Iceberg produced comparatively longer (2.77cm) buds. Flower size was maximum in 'Charleston' (8.37cm). Number of petals per flower was higher in 'Arunima'. Thorn density was found to be higher (42.67 per ten cm i.e., decimeter) in cv. 'St. Boniface' whereas, 'Summer Snow' and 'Ahalya' were thornless. Thorn shape was that of a hook in all the cultivars. Maximum number of flowers per plant, per unit area were recorded in 'Summer Snow' (367.85/m²), which was on par with 'Arunima' (340.32/m²), 'First Edition' (320.75/m²) and 'Thornless Beauty' (328.24/m²). Flower stalk length (82.33cm) and flower duration (141.33 days) were higher in cv. Brown Velvet. The cultivars were also evaluated for their fragrance.