Large-Flowered Climber; stripedTom Carruth; Weeks RosesBicolour

Purple Splash

Wine-purple striped climber with white splashes and stripes; each flower is unique — more stripes in cooler weather; inspired by Fourth of July Weeks 1999 (red-and-white striped) in a purple range; the synonym 'Oh Wow!' in some catalogues.

US PP#22,469 · Fourth of July inspiration in a purple range

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat flowering

Repeat-flowering from June to October. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Legacy

PP 22,469

Carruth/Weeks · descendant of Fourth of July

Winter hardiness

−26 °C

USDA zone 5b-10b. All of Ukraine, no winter protection needed.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

300–400 × 200–250 cm

Habit: Large climber with almost thornless canes (rare!)
Dimensions: 3-4 m high (9'10"-13'1") × 2-2.5 m wide — a large climber for walls and pergolas
Support: Essential — wall, pergola, trellis; can be trained as a large shrub
Shoots: 2.1–2.7 m, almost thornless — a special feature among climbers
Branching: Vigorous, sprawling — strong, with wide branching

Flower

≈ 10 cm

5-8 petals.

Bud shape: Elongated, wine-purple with white markings
Open flower: Semi-double striped: 5-8 petals, ~10 cm, in large conical clusters
Centre: Open, with prominent stamens
Fullness: 5-8 petals (semi-double, single-like)
Flower carriage: In large conical clusters (larger than those of Fourth of July) — pyramids of flowers

Fragrance

Moderate; sweet apple

Moderate, sweet apple (according to Heirloom Roses) — a rarity among striped climbers.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

'very good' 4/5 (Weeks); USDA 5b-10b — a wide range. Good against spotting, moderate tolerance of rain.

Sun

Sun and shade

Full sun; stripes are more pronounced in cool weather.

Thorns

Thornless

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Almost thornless — rare for climbers. A unique feature of the Carruth-variety.

Foliage

Dark green, semi-glossy — a good background for the striped colouring.

Other names

Oh Wow!

All characteristics in a table

Group: Large-Flowered Climber; striped
Breeder: Tom Carruth; Weeks Roses, USA
Bud shape: Elongated, wine-purple with white markings
Open flower: Semi-double striped: 5-8 petals, ~10 cm, in large conical clusters
Centre: Open, with prominent stamens
Colour: Wine-purple splashed and striped with white; each flower is unique, the patterning is random; more stripes in cool weather, less distinct in heat; inspired by the Fourth of July variety (Weeks 1999, red-and-white striped) in a purple range
Fullness: 5-8 petals (semi-double, single-like)
Flower carriage: In large conical clusters (larger than those of Fourth of July) — pyramids of flowers
Flowering: Repeat-flowering from June to October
Fragrance: Moderate, sweet apple (according to Heirloom Roses) — a rarity among striped climbers
Hips: Not documented — flowers are cut to encourage repeat flowering
Habit: Large climber with almost thornless canes (rare!)
Branching: Vigorous, sprawling — strong, with wide branching
Shoots: 2.1–2.7 m, almost thornless — a special feature among climbers
Thorns: Almost thornless — rare for climbers. A unique feature of the Carruth-variety.
Dimensions: 3-4 m high (9'10"-13'1") × 2-2.5 m wide — a large climber for walls and pergolas
Support: Essential — wall, pergola, trellis; can be trained as a large shrub
Foliage: Dark green, semi-glossy — a good background for the striped colouring
Resistance: 'very good' 4/5 (Weeks); USDA 5b-10b — a wide range. Good against spotting, moderate tolerance of rain
Variations of the variety: Code WEKspitrib. Synonym: Oh Wow! US Patent PP#22,469. Registered 2008, commercial introduction 2009. Parentage: 'Soaring Spirits' × 'Rhapsody in Blue' — both parents are purple-blue!

Colour scheme

Wine-purple, splashed and striped with white; each flower is unique, the patterning is random; cooler weather brings more stripes, heat makes them less distinct; inspired by the Fourth of July variety (Weeks 1999, red-and-white striped) in a purple range

Rose neighbours

Blue for Youpurple-violet

Nauticalilac

Pierre de Ronsardcream-pink

Keriosunny yellow · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavenderlavender

Lamb's ears (Stachys)silver

Perovskiablue-violet

Gypsophilawhite

Neighbouring roses

Violet varieties and climbers create a 'lavender-and-wine corner':

Blue for You Nautica Pierre de Ronsard Kerio

Companion perennials

Violet-silver perennials highlight the wine colour:

lavenderlamb's ears (Stachys)perovskiagypsophila

Availability worldwide

A striking striped climber of the season:

🇺🇸 USA: high · Heirloom, Grace Rose, Gurney's, Spring Hill
🇪🇺 Europe: moderate
🇺🇦 Ukraine: moderate · via Weeks partners
🌍 Worldwide: striking striped variety of the 2010s

More about the variety

Hips: Not documented — flowers are cut to encourage repeat flowering
Variations of the variety: Code WEKspitrib. Synonym: Oh Wow! US Patent PP#22,469. Registered 2008, commercial introduction 2009. Parentage: 'Soaring Spirits' × 'Rhapsody in Blue' — both parents are purple-blue!

How to grow

Where to plant. On walls, pergolas and trellises — its main use; as a striking solo accent because of its unique colouring; 'almost thornless' — good for places where plants are often touched (fences, entrances).

Climate. All of Ukraine, no winter protection (USDA 5b-10b); a wide range. Stripes are more pronounced in cool weather.

Care. Full sun or light shade; a sturdy support is essential; feed 2-3 times a season; prune by ⅓ in spring; good disease resistance — minimal preventive care.

About the name

Name. 'Purple Splash' — 'purple splash', for the character of the colouring (wine-purple splashed with white). The synonym 'Oh Wow!' in some catalogues emphasises its showiness. Carruth liked expressive, marketing-style names (also 'About Face' and 'All Dressed Up').

Breeding. Bred by Tom Carruth for Weeks Roses (USA) — one of the leading American breeders of the late XX and early XXI centuries. Code WEKspitrib. US Patent PP#22,469. Registered 2008, commercially introduced 2009. Parentage: 'Soaring Spirits' × 'Rhapsody in Blue' — both parents are purple-blue, which gives the rich colour range. Inspired by Fourth of July (Weeks 1999, red-and-white striped) in a purple range.

Significance. Almost thornless — a rarity among climbers, a special feature of this Carruth-variety. Larger conical clusters than Fourth of July. Weeks' 'very good' disease rating is typical of modern striped climbers. A unique colouring — every flower has a different pattern, with more white in cooler weather. 'Pioneer' purple striped: most striped roses of the 2000s are red and white (Fourth of July, Stars 'n' Stripes); Purple Splash is the first large purple striped climber. No major official awards (AARS, ADR not given), but wide commercial success.

Frequently asked questions about Purple Splash

Does Purple Splash need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −26 °C (USDA zone 5b−10b). Overwintering depends on the conditions. All of Ukraine, no winter protection needed.

How many times a season does Purple Splash flower?

Repeat-flowering from June to October.

How big does Purple Splash grow?

300–400 cm tall, 200–250 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Purple Splash?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. 'very good' (Weeks); good against spotting.

How much sun does Purple Splash need?

Sun and shade; full sun; stripes are more pronounced in cool weather.

What does Purple Splash smell like?