Who is fat and sassy - a perfectly formed, creamy white, hybrid tea-form Miniature rose? Snow Bride! Bred by Betty Jolly in 1982, this little beauty won the coveted Award of Excellence in Miniature Roses in 1983. Creamy white buds open slowly to show off a pin-point center and a slightly darker cream heart. The 20 perfectly-sized petals spiral down to form a perfect platform for this Queen to show her stuff!
Snow Bride is the offspring of [Avandel x Zinger]. Avandel was a product of the Ralph Moore breeding program, with pinky yellow blooms, a log urn-shaped bud, and dark green leathery foliage. Never mind that she had a dished face and opened fast - she more than made up for it with great fragrance, good disease resistance ... and she also won the AOE in 1978. Avandel made a great seed parent.
Zinger (talk about going from A to Z!!!) was a medium red Miniature bred by Ernie Schwartz in 1978. Only 11 petals, but bushy with lots of vigor, and it also won the AOE in 1979. A very good pollen parent.
So - medium red crossed on pinky yellow (who knew?): a de-lovely creamy white seedling with more petals than either parent, less fragrance, good bushy growth and staying power in the vase. And that wonderful 'to die for' center.
Snow Bride has medium green, semi-glossy foliage and grows to 2 feet overall in my yard. She would probably get taller and wider, but she is in partial shade (dang neighbor's Sycamore tree!!). She provides me with dozens of her wonderful blooms on longish stems throughout the growing season.
Snow Bride seems to do well in most parts of the country. She was elected by popular acclaim to the Miniature Rose Hall of Fame in 2003. She is resistant to rust and powdery mildew, and moderately tolerant of blackspot but will spot if under stress. She seems to like warm weather. You'll still see her on the show table - going up against the latest and greatest and holding her own.
If you want a good fat white Miniature Rose - Snow Bride might be the one for you!
