Red Naomi!

Where to plant. First and foremost a cut florist's HT — bred for greenhouses and wedding floristry. But it also grows well in the garden: in the Forest-Steppe and Steppe it grows outdoors; in the north it needs protection. The leading choice for wedding and celebratory red bouquets; the top variety for Valentine's Day at Dutch auctions; premium floristry. A sunny spot and fertile soil.

Climate. Grown commercially in greenhouses (the Netherlands, Kenya, Ecuador, Colombia), but it also overwinters outdoors: in the Forest-Steppe/Steppe with light protection, further north with full protection. Winter hardiness is moderate; after a snowless winter, especially back-to-back ones, dieback is possible.

Care. In greenhouses — control of light and temperature; yield ~200 flowers/m²; vase life 11–14 days with proper treatment.

Name. 'Red Naomi!' — with the obligatory exclamation mark in Schreurs' branding. Named after supermodel Naomi Campbell — Peter Schreurs admired her passion and beauty. The Schreurs range also includes 'White Naomi!', 'Pink Naomi!' and 'Sweet Naomi!' — a whole family of 'Naomi' varieties. Red Naomi! is the flagship of the series.

Breeding. Bred by Peter Schreurs (third generation of the family business) at the Schreurs house (De Kwakel, the Netherlands). Denomination 'Schemocba'. Bred and commercialised in 2006 (some sources say 2005; first sales in 2006). Schreurs has branches in Kenya, Ecuador and Colombia — one of the largest Dutch breeders of cut roses. Parentage is not disclosed (a trade secret).

Significance. The ABSOLUTE WORLD LEADER among red cut roses for wedding and premium floristry. Grown by more than 100 producers worldwide. The symbol of the modern red rose as a cut flower. It replaced older varieties such as 'Grand Gala' and 'First Red'. On Valentine's Day it is the best-selling red variety at Dutch auctions. Vase life 11–14 days — 1.5–2× longer than an average cut rose. 60–80 petals — one of the most double red cut roses in the world. Because of its doubleness, fragrance, vase life and head size, it is the benchmark against which new red cut roses are measured. Used in the Dutch show 'The Bachelor'.