It definitely appears nearly red, pink-red, or orangy-red as the bud opens. I wasn't expecting such a strong & dark color, and had originally worried that my new plants were mistagged. No such worries now....all are blooming (from Rosemania) and true to labels. This one does fade out to the commonly described color of a deep pink with white reverses. My newest pics posted yesterday show how the bloom stays on the plant forever, and fades eventually to nearly white. We've had a LOT of wind and rain over the last 12 days and nothing has knocked her petals off yet. It does blow open very fast and does NOT really have what I consider to be the best exhibition form, but I don't show roses so it's no big deal to me. The bloom form for me, so far, has been flat, ruffly, and more cupped instead of spiral.