Showbiz

Where to plant. In groups of 3-5 bushes for a 'spectacular' effect; in small beds; along paths as a low red edging; as an accent in a mixed border; good in pots on a terrace.

Climate. Ukraine Centre / South without winter protection (USDA 6b); in the North / East, light protection; copes well with summer heat without fading.

Care. Full sun; moderate disease prevention (the glossy foliage protects itself); feed 2-3 times per season; prune ⅓ in spring; deadheading speeds up the second flush.

Name. 'Showbiz', short for 'show business'. For the spectacular, eye-catching character of its abundant flowering: the bush is like a 'star on stage'. Typical of Tantau-marketing in the 1980s: bright, short English names for easy recognition.

Breeding. Bred by Mathias Tantau Jr. at Rosen Tantau (Uetersen, Germany). Code TANweieke. Bred 1980, introduced 1981. Parentage: 'Dream Waltz' (Floribunda, Tantau 1969) × 'Marlena®' (Floribunda, Kordes 1964); both parents are red floribundas, which explains the exceptionally rich red pigment.

Significance. AARS 1985 (All-America Rose Selections, the main American award). A remarkable win: according to the Christian Science Monitor (1984), Showbiz won the AARS-trial by such a record margin over its rivals that the result was obvious long before the end of the 30-month trial cycle, a rare 'foregone conclusion' in AARS history. Glossy, healthy foliage, a typical quality of Tantau roses of the 1980s. Its compact size makes it ideal for small beds, borders and pots. It does not fade in the sun, a rarity among red floribundas. ADR and Belfast Gold are NOT confirmed: some secondary sources wrongly attribute these awards; checked, there is no official confirmation.