Macarena

Where to plant. First and foremost a greenhouse florist's spray rose for cutting — it works best as a spray for wedding and table bouquets in warm pastel arrangements. But it also grows well in the garden: in the Forest-Steppe and Steppe — outdoors, in the north — with protection. Sunny spot, fertile soil.

Climate. USDA 6b–9b. Bred for greenhouses, but it also overwinters in open ground: in the Forest-Steppe/Steppe — with light protection, in the north — with full protection. Winter hardiness is moderate; winters vary — in severe, snowless years, dieback is possible.

Care. In greenhouse conditions — control light and temperature; vase life 8–12 days with proper stem treatment.

Name. «Macarena», after the iconic dance hit «Macarena» by Los del Río (1993, Bayside Boys remix 1996), which became a worldwide phenomenon and a dance of 1990s pop culture. A typical marketing move by Interplant — naming varieties after global pop-culture phenomena for recognition in the florist market (alongside Lydia, Mariza, Salsa and others). The name also hints at the «dancing» look of a spray rose cluster — a bunch of tender flowers that seems to «dance» in a bouquet.

Breeding. Raised by A. J. H. Van Doesum at Interplant Roses BV (the Netherlands); the exact year of breeding is not published; a Canadian patent application was filed in 2000. Code INTerortro. Parentage not published (typical Interplant practice). Van Doesum is the same breeder who raised Lovely Lydia (INTerkuyl, 1997, sport of Lydia). Interplant Roses is a Dutch specialist house for cut and spray roses, alongside Ibiza (INTercomanje 2006) and Pink Macarena (IPT060622).

Significance. The 3rd Interplant work in our catalogue (alongside Ibiza and Pink Macarena). The 7th florist's cut rose in our catalogue, alongside Fire Flash, High Magic, Kerio, Lydia, Limbo and Luxor. No official awards — it is a commercial florist's rose, not an award-type variety. «Pink Macarena» is a different variety (IPT060622, a newer pastel-pink spray from Interplant). The «deep yellow blend» description on HMF is an old recorded class; the real commercial shade is pastel-orange «light orange» (according to the descriptions by Mayesh, Florabundance, Pajarosa).