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Showbiz (Rosa 'Showbiz'), whole plant
  • Showbiz — close-up of leaves and flowers
  • Showbiz — seasonal appearance
  • Showbiz in a garden setting

Showbiz

Rosa 'Showbiz'

Medium · Some experience

About Showbiz

Showbiz is a brilliant bright-red floribunda rose producing massive clusters of 3-inch semi-double blooms on a compact 2 to 3 foot bush. A 1985 AARS winner bred by Mathias Tantau Jr., its extraordinary flower production and landscape vigor make it one of the most showy red floribundas in American gardens, perfect for mass plantings.

  • Long-blooming
WATER
Regular
Top inch dry
LIGHT
Full sun
6+ hrs direct
HARDY
Hardy to -30°F (-34°C)
USDA hardiness zones 4–9

How to care for Showbiz

Watering

  • Springevery 5 days
  • Summerevery 3 days
  • Fallevery 7 days
  • Winterevery 14 days

Soil · Rich & loamy

  • Top dressingBark mulch15%
  • Main mixRich loam + compost 3:170%
  • DrainageGravel15%

Use fully finished compost — fresh compost burns roots.

FERTILIZER

Balanced Feed 14-14-14

An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.

N33%P33%K33%
  • Nitrogen · Leaves
  • Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
  • Potassium · Strength
  • Springevery 30 days
  • Summerevery 30 days
  • Fallevery 45 days
Get watering reminders for Showbiz — free on iPhoneDownload on the App Store

At a Glance

  • NativeEurope
  • Height2–3 ft (0.6–0.9 m)
  • Spread2–3 ft (0.6–0.9 m)
  • Flower colorRed
  • Foliage colorGreen
  • SoilLoamy, Well-drained, Rich
  • LocationsYard

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

May–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Deadhead clusters for repeat bloom; prune late winter

Fragrance

LIGHT FRAGRANCE

The flowers have a light scent.

Toxicity

Humans Slight

Unknown toxic principle

Slight

  • Stem
  • Contact

EXPOSURE Touching stems.

EFFECT Pricks from thorns.

NOTE Not toxic; thorns cause mechanical injury.

Safe

EXPOSURE No exposure route is reported.

EFFECT No toxic effect is reported.

NOTE Listed as non-toxic for dogs; avoid eating ornamental plants unless confirmed edible.

Safe

EXPOSURE No exposure route is reported.

EFFECT No toxic effect is reported.

NOTE Listed as non-toxic for cats; avoid eating ornamental plants unless confirmed edible.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

DISTRIBUTION

Showbiz · Native
  • Native
  • Europe

History

Illustrated historical scene for Showbiz

Rosa 'Showbiz' is a vivid medium-red floribunda rose bred by Mathias Tantau Jr. at Uetersen, Germany, released in 1981 from proprietary parentage. The compact plant produces huge trusses of up to thirty semi-double medium-red blooms, each about eight centimeters across with a central boss of golden stamens, continuously from late spring to heavy frost. Exceptional glossy disease-resistant dark green foliage, cold hardiness, and the dense carpet-of-color effect made 'Showbiz' an immediate landscape favorite.

It won Gold Medals at Baden-Baden and The Hague and the All-America Rose Selections award in 1985, placing it among the most celebrated red floribundas of the 1980s. Light fragrance; performs well in public plantings, mass beds, and small gardens with minimal care. Bred by Mathias Tantau Jr. in Germany and introduced in 1981, winning AARS in 1985.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

The Showbiz Rose can symbolize showy celebration, famous for producing more flowers per plant than nearly any other floribunda when in full performance. Another layer is spotlight, the unapologetically theatrical role it plays as a landscape showpiece in commercial plantings and home beds alike. In the language of modern roses, Showbiz is the dependable star, a plant whose name is a fair description of its job: to keep the show going for as much of the season as possible.

  • Showy celebration — most flowers per plant
  • Spotlight — works as a bright landscape showpiece

Where the Name Comes From

Named 'Showbiz' for the show-stopping massive clusters of brilliant red flowers.

Uses & Fun Facts

  • Massive bright-red semi-double clusters on AARS-winning floribunda
  • Vivid sprays popular for casual garden bouquets

Related plants

More Rosa plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Showbiz?

In summer, water about every 3 days; in winter, about every 14 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.

How much light does Showbiz need?

Full sun: 6+ hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is Showbiz toxic to cats or dogs?

Pets Safe (Dogs Safe · Cats Safe) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is Showbiz easy to grow?

It is moderately demanding: a good choice once you have a little experience.

When does Showbiz bloom?

It typically blooms May–Sep in the Northern Hemisphere.

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