About the name
Name. The rose is named after Julia Child (1912–2004), the American cook who popularised French cuisine in the USA through the TV show 'The French Chef' (1963–1973). Her book 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking' (1961) became a cultural event. The variety was personally chosen by Julia Child herself shortly before her death: Tom Carruth showed her several yellow seedlings, and she settled on this one, saying: 'This yellow is like good fresh butter.' Hence the description of the colour as 'butter-gold'.
Breeding. Bred by Tom Carruth at Weeks Wholesale Rose Grower (California, USA), introduced in 2006. Code WEKvossutono. Parentage: ('Voodoo' × R. soulieana hybrid) × 'Summerwine', with pollen parent 'Top Notch'. Tom Carruth is one of the most outstanding American breeders of the XX–XXI centuries, also known for his Hot Cocoa, Ebb Tide and other 'unconventional' floribundas.
Significance. AARS 2006 (American Rose Selections — the 'Oscar' of the American rose world); Best of the Best 2010 (Great Britain, as Absolutely Fabulous); Gold Star of the South Pacific 2011 (New Zealand). One of the most successful yellow floribundas of the last 20 years; a benchmark for stable colour among yellow roses — it does NOT fade, which sets it apart from most yellow varieties. The liquorice-aniseed scent is a rare note among modern roses. In different countries it is sold under different trade names: Absolutely Fabulous (UK), Soul Mate (Australia), Anisade, Jiřina Bohdalová (Czech Republic), SASOL Rose (South Africa) — it is the same variety, WEKvossutono.