Summer Dream was an established rose when we moved in here in 1993. I thought it was an established bush when I first visited Deb’s Grandmother in 1985. That led to confusion trying to identify it. Deb’s Greataunt came by a few years ago and was delighted the rose she bought for Ethel in 1986 was still doing so well. She knew it was planted in 1986 because she bought it right after Deb’s Grandpa died. Wanda (Rosesense) had told me for years it looked like Summer Dream. I asked Deb’s aunt if she recalled the name. She didn’t. I mentioned Summer Dream and that was all it took. That was the name! I should have listened to you Wanda.

Summer Dream is planted on the east side of the lot protected from prevailing winds. It is next to the drive and gets lots of snow piled on it in winter. It did very well from 86 until 98 with no winter protection. It does even better now that it gets mulch mounded on it once the ground freezes. The spot gets about 10 hours of sun in summer

Summer Dream is not cane hardy here. Canes die to the mounding or snow line. Spring growth usually starts about midpack of our roses and is pretty vigorous. SD is never one of the first to bloom or the last. We get around 35 - 45 blooms per flush. Turnaround time is average, about 6 weeks. Blooms open a bit quicker than I like. They do last longer when cut and Deb uses them a lot in bouquets. I rate fragrance as slight. There isn’t much there. Deb is of the same opinion. Bloom color is exquisite. None of our photos do it justice.

The bush gets 4 - 5 feet tall x 4 feet wide for us. Foliage looks thick and healthy. SD won’t win my annual best foliage contest but it isn’t a problem child…. except that I have to add chelated iron to the soil each spring.
Blackspot isn't a problem here for healthy roses. SD will get powdery mildew if conditions are right and it gets neglected. SD never gets neglected.

Excellent rose

Dave
South central Montana - zone 4/5

Anyone that saw photos of the rose we nicknamed Desi, this is it.

Available at Roses Unlimited