Hollywood Star

Where to plant. Exhibition HT arrangements, formal groups of 3–5 bushes in the southern regions; as a single bush for cut bouquets; themed 'star' flower beds with other varieties named after stars.

Climate. Down to −12 °C — a problematic variety for Ukraine; it can be grown without cover only in the Zaporizhzhia and Odesa regions, or in the centre and north with careful winter cover; ideal in the southern regions, which approach the climate of USA zone 7b.

Care. Classic HT — prune in spring by a third; removing spent blooms encourages new flushes; mandatory seasonal disease prevention; careful winter cover is essential.

Name. 'Hollywood Star' — English for 'Hollywood star'. The name is a tribute to Hollywood's culture of stars, glamour and spectacle. The variety has exhibition-style, 'star-like' buds in the shape of an urn — a benchmark HT form, ideal for competitions. In modern garden culture in the USA there are many varieties with 'star' names (Hollywood Star, Movie Star, Sunset Boulevard); they form a separate commercial category.

Breeding. CORRECTION: the working notes hypothesised 'possibly Edland or Tantau'; in fact it is John & Robyn Sheldon, USA, private amateur breeders. The Sheldons are known for their Californian hybrid teas: they bred varieties for exhibitions, not for the mass market. Bred in 1995, with commercial introduction in 2001–2002. Code REShollywood (alternatively JS89-38-A). Parentage: 'Summer Dream' (Hybrid Tea, William Warriner J&P 1986) × 'Lanvin'.

Significance. An exhibition variety without official awards; the working notes mentioned an Edland Medal or another award, which is not confirmed. Hollywood Star is an 'exhibition rose' (an exhibition HT), valued among American collectors for its ideal urn-shaped bud for competitions. It is not a mass-market variety. In our catalogue it is an example of a private breeding house that created a quality variety without wide recognition, unlike the 'giants' Austin, Kordes, Tantau and Meilland. The Sheldons are a reminder that in the USA many private breeders continue the tradition of amateur HT breeding, mainly in California.