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

Tournament of Roses

Rosa 'Tournament of Roses'

Medium · Some experience

About Tournament of Roses

Tournament of Roses is a warm coral-pink grandiflora rose producing 4-inch high-centered blooms in small clusters on 4 to 5 foot stems. Lightly fragrant with excellent disease resistance, this 1989 AARS winner was named for the centennial of Pasadena's famous Rose Parade and remains a beloved American commemorative grandiflora.

  • Long-blooming
WATER
Regular
Top inch dry
LIGHT
Full sun
6+ hrs direct
HARDY
Hardy to -20°F (-29°C)
USDA hardiness zones 5–9

How to care for Tournament of Roses

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
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At a Glance

  • NativeNorth America
  • Height5–7 ft (1.5–2.1 m)
  • Spread3–4 ft (0.9–1.2 m)
  • Flower colorPink, Coral
  • 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 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

Tournament of Roses · Native
  • Native
  • North America

History

Illustrated historical scene for Tournament of Roses

Rosa 'Tournament of Roses' is a warm coral-pink grandiflora rose bred by American hybridizer William A. Warriner at Jackson & Perkins, released in 1988. Jackson & Perkins partnered with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association to release the cultivar in time for the hundredth running of the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day 1989. The classic high-centered blooms in shades of coral pink with lighter pink reverse open on long straight stems, borne singly or in small clusters of two or three, in the intermediate habit between hybrid tea and floribunda that defines a grandiflora.

'Tournament of Roses' won the All-America Rose Selections award in 1989. Light fragrance; disease-resistant, vigorous, and reliable in home gardens. Long-lasting cut flower.

Bred by William Warriner at Jackson & Perkins and introduced in 1988, winning AARS in 1989. Named to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. A classic American commemorative rose for West Coast gardens.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

Tournament of Roses is celebration in coral grandiflora form — bred in tribute to the Pasadena Rose Parade's centennial, its blooms shaped to last on the famous floats. As California heritage it makes visible the New Year's morning ritual of millions, the parade that opens each American year. A rose that exists, in part, to be photographed in mass formation.

  • Celebration — Rose Parade centennial tribute
  • California heritage — Pasadena's iconic New Year parade

Where the Name Comes From

Named for the 100th anniversary (1989) of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade in California.

Uses & Fun Facts

  • Coral-pink grandiflora with light spicy rose fragrance
  • Long-stemmed coral blooms prized for floral arrangements
  • AARS grandiflora honoring the Pasadena Rose Parade tradition

Related plants

More Rosa plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Tournament of Roses?

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

How much light does Tournament of Roses need?

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

Is Tournament of Roses 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 Tournament of Roses easy to grow?

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

When does Tournament of Roses bloom?

It typically blooms May–Sep in the Northern Hemisphere.

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