FloribundaPeter JamesLilac and purple

Blue for You

A floribunda with semi-double flowers that change from purple-mauve to blue-grey. Also known as Honky Tonk Blues, Pacific Dream and Ellerines Rose.

Compact, upright floribunda

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat flowering from summer to autumn; timing depends on the climate

Awards

RHS AGM 2012

Award of Garden Merit, 2012 — according to the official RHS list for Blue for You (‘Pejamblu’).

Winter hardiness

RHS H6

Rating for UK growing conditions: −20…−15 °C. Overwintering depends on the microclimate and growing conditions. For overwintering, consider local winter minima, wind and soil moisture.

Plant size

90–120 × 80 cm

According to patent USPP20325P3; size depends on growing conditions.

Habit: Rounded, upright
Dimensions: The patent description gives a height of 90–120 cm and a width of about 80 cm. RHS gives a different estimate: 50–100 cm in both height and spread. These are guides, not guaranteed growth limits.
Support: An upright bush floribunda. Neither the patent description nor RHS specifies that support is required.
Shoots: Strong, straight
Branching: Well branched

Flower

≈ 8 cm

13–26 petals.

According to patent USPP20325P3, the table gives a diameter of 8 cm and 13–26 petals; the text gives 7.5–10 cm and 12–16 petals.

Bud shape: Oval, with a pointed tip — according to the patent description.
Open flower: Semi-double; flat when fully open, with prominent stamens — according to the RHS description and patent USPP20325P3.
Centre: Yellow filaments and greyish-orange anthers — according to the patent description.
Fullness: Semi-double. The table in patent USPP20325P3 gives 13–26 petals; the text gives 12–16.
Flower carriage: The table in patent USPP20325P3 gives 15–20 flowers per cluster on a stem; another row gives 15 or more.

Fragrance

The table in patent USPP20325P3 describes the fragrance as moderately strong, while the text describes it as very strong, sweet and citrus-like. The David Austin catalogue rates it as medium and sweet; RHS notes a sweet scent. Descriptions of intensity differ between sources.

Disease resistance

The detailed table in patent USPP20325P3 reports slight resistance to black spot and powdery mildew. Downy mildew and rust were not observed on the trial plants; this does not establish immunity. The patent gives no five-point score.

Sun

Full sun

As recommended by RHS for this cultivar.

Thorns

Patent USPP20325P3 notes very few small prickles on the individual flower stalks. This is not an assessment of the number of prickles on the whole bush.

Foliage

According to the patent description, the foliage is dark green; the upper surface is semi-glossy or shiny, and the lower surface is matte.

Other names

Honky Tonk Blues, Pacific Dream, Ellerines Rose

Breeder's code PEJamblu.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Floribunda
Breeder: Peter James, United Kingdom
Bud shape: Oval, with a pointed tip — according to the patent description.
Open flower: Semi-double; flat when fully open, with prominent stamens — according to the RHS description and patent USPP20325P3.
Centre: Yellow filaments and greyish-orange anthers — according to the patent description.
Colour: Rich purple – lilac-violet – fading to blue-grey with age; the reverse of the petal is lighter
Fullness: Semi-double. The table in patent USPP20325P3 gives 13–26 petals; the text gives 12–16.
Flower carriage: The table in patent USPP20325P3 gives 15–20 flowers per cluster on a stem; another row gives 15 or more.
Flowering: Repeat flowering from summer to autumn; timing depends on the climate
Fragrance: The table in patent USPP20325P3 describes the fragrance as moderately strong, while the text describes it as very strong, sweet and citrus-like. The David Austin catalogue rates it as medium and sweet; RHS notes a sweet scent. Descriptions of intensity differ between sources.
Hips: Medium to large according to the patent description; the frequency of fruit set is not specified.
Habit: Rounded, upright
Branching: Well branched
Shoots: Strong, straight
Thorns: Patent USPP20325P3 notes very few small prickles on the individual flower stalks. This is not an assessment of the number of prickles on the whole bush.
Dimensions: The patent description gives a height of 90–120 cm and a width of about 80 cm. RHS gives a different estimate: 50–100 cm in both height and spread. These are guides, not guaranteed growth limits.
Support: An upright bush floribunda. Neither the patent description nor RHS specifies that support is required.
Foliage: According to the patent description, the foliage is dark green; the upper surface is semi-glossy or shiny, and the lower surface is matte.
Resistance: The detailed table in patent USPP20325P3 reports slight resistance to black spot and powdery mildew. Downy mildew and rust were not observed on the trial plants; this does not establish immunity. The patent gives no five-point score.
Variations of the variety: Eyes for You (PEJBIGEYE) is a separate cultivar bred by Peter James through a controlled cross between two unnamed seedlings in 2004.

Colour scheme

Rich purple – lilac-violet – fading to blue-grey with age; the reverse of the petal is lighter

Rose neighbours

Lions-Rosecreamy white

Chantal Mérieuxпудрово-рожевий

Goldelseянтарно-абрикосовий

Koko Lokocoffee-lilac

Perennials to plant nearby

Catmint (Nepeta)blue

Salvia 'Caradonna'violet

Lamb's earsilvery

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla)lime-green

Neighbouring roses

A violet-wine palette holds a dramatic mood around Blue for You.

Lions-Rose Chantal Mérieux Goldelse Koko Loko

Perennial companions

Silver foliage and chartreuse lady's mantle lighten the dark purple:

catmint (Nepeta)salvia 'Caradonna'lamb's earlady's mantle (Alchemilla)

Contrasting accents

For a play of warm and cool tones — lemon and apricot accents:

Achillea MoonshineGeum Mai TaiAllium Globemaster

More about the variety

Hips: Medium to large according to the patent description; the frequency of fruit set is not specified.
Variations of the variety: Eyes for You (PEJBIGEYE) is a separate cultivar bred by Peter James through a controlled cross between two unnamed seedlings in 2004.

How to grow

Where to plant. Borders, group plantings at the front, containers; as an accent among silver foliage.

Climate. For overwintering, consider local winter minima, wind and soil moisture.

Care. General RHS guidance for floribundas: fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. As spring growth resumes, remove dead, diseased and crossing stems (group 16). Apply balanced fertiliser and mulch in spring, with another feed in early summer. Water new plantings until established and mature bushes during drought, directing water to the base.

About the name

Name. Blue for You is the trade name of the cultivar ‘Pejamblu’.

Breeding. Peter James, United Kingdom. According to patent USPP20325P3, cross-pollination began in June 2000; the seed parent was Natural Beauty (‘ROGSCRIV’), and the pollen parent was a seedling from Summer Wine × SCRIVBELL.

Significance. The code ‘Pejamblu’ helps match the trade names Blue for You, Honky Tonk Blues, Pacific Dream and Ellerines Rose. The David Austin catalogue gives 2007 as the year of introduction, while Peter Beales gives 2006; these dates are reported according to the respective catalogues.

Frequently asked questions about Blue for You

Does Blue for You need winter protection?

RHS H6. Rating for UK growing conditions: −20…−15 °C. Overwintering depends on the microclimate and growing conditions. For overwintering, consider local winter minima, wind and soil moisture.

How many times a season does Blue for You flower?

Repeat flowering from summer to autumn; timing depends on the climate.

How big does Blue for You grow?

90–120 cm tall, about 80 cm wide. According to patent USPP20325P3; size depends on growing conditions.

Which diseases affect Blue for You?

How much sun does Blue for You need?

Full sun; as recommended by RHS for this cultivar.

What does Blue for You smell like?