Rosa ‘Stephen Rulo’: A Grandiflora Rose with Unique Hues
Rosa ‘Stephen Rulo’, commonly known as ‘Stephen Rulo’ Rose or Wecrulo, stands out in any garden for its strikingly unusual flower colors and consistent, prolific blooms. This Grandiflora rose belongs to the Rosaceae family, a diverse and widely cultivated family of flowering plants. Gardeners prize this variety for its dynamic blend of gold, beige, lavender, and gray tones, creating a palette that evolves with changing temperatures and seasons. The plant’s vigorous growth, tall upright habit, and sweet fragrance make it an excellent choice for garden beds, borders, and even cut flower arrangements.
Hybridized by William E. Chaney in the United States in 2007, ‘Stephen Rulo’ was introduced in 2008 by Wisconsin Roses. The cultivar is a cross between Singin’ in the Rain and Stainless Steel™, producing large, exhibition-worthy blooms in small clusters. Its ability to bloom in flushes throughout the season ensures that gardens remain colorful from spring to fall.
Background and Origins
William E. Chaney, a skilled American rose breeder, developed ‘Stephen Rulo’ to showcase unusual, shifting flower colors combined with robust growth and reliable flowering. The rose was named after Stephen Rulo, a friend of the breeder, honoring their connection. Since its introduction, the cultivar has gained popularity among rose enthusiasts and professional landscapers due to its unique coloration and strong garden performance.
The Rosaceae family, to which Rosa belongs, contains many ornamental and fruiting plants. ‘Stephen Rulo’ represents the Grandiflora class, a hybrid category known for its tall stature and large, clustered blooms, bridging the qualities of Hybrid Tea and Floribunda roses. Its synonym, Wecrulo, often appears in horticultural references and plant catalogs, helping gardeners identify the same cultivar under alternate naming conventions.
Flowers and Foliage
‘Stephen Rulo’ produces large, full blooms with 26 to 40 petals per flower. The petals develop unique hues ranging from beige and gold to lavender, russet, brown, and gray. These shades shift subtly depending on weather conditions; cooler temperatures emphasize warm, beige tones, while warmer weather brings out lavender and gray undertones. Each bloom forms in small clusters, offering a compact yet visually impressive display.
The rose emits a moderate to strong sweet fragrance, enhancing its appeal both in the garden and as a cut flower. Its glossy, medium-green foliage provides a rich backdrop that complements the changing flower colors, making the blooms stand out even more vividly. The plant’s upright, tall growth habit can reach 1.5 to 2 meters (5 to 6.5 feet) in height and 0.8 to 1.2 meters (2.5 to 4 feet) in spread, offering both vertical structure and decorative color to landscape designs.
Flowering Season
Rosa ‘Stephen Rulo’ blooms in flushes throughout the growing season, starting in spring and continuing until the first frost. Gardeners can encourage continuous flowering by deadheading spent blooms, which also helps maintain the plant’s tidy appearance. Its consistent blooming pattern ensures that landscapes remain vibrant for months, making it ideal for formal garden beds, mixed borders, and floral displays.
How to Grow Rosa ‘Stephen Rulo’
Growing ‘Stephen Rulo’ successfully requires attention to sunlight, soil, watering, fertilizing, and site selection. Proper care ensures that this rose achieves its maximum color, fragrance, and bloom potential.
Sunlight
Plant it in a location with full sun for at least six to eight hours daily. Full sunlight promotes robust growth, strong stems, and abundant flowering. While ‘Stephen Rulo’ can tolerate some afternoon shade in hotter climates, it will not thrive in low-light conditions, and blooms may be less vibrant.
Soil Requirements
This Grandiflora rose grows best in well-draining, fertile loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Amend heavy clay or sandy soils with compost or well-rotted organic matter to enhance moisture retention and nutrient availability. Rich soil promotes vigorous growth and helps the blooms achieve their full color potential.
Watering
Water regularly, especially during the first growing season, to establish a healthy root system. Apply about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water per week during dry periods, either through drip irrigation or a soaker hose to avoid wetting the leaves. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot and other diseases.
Fertilizing
Feed the plant with a balanced rose fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 formulation, during the growing season from early spring through late summer. Apply fertilizer every four to six weeks, adjusting based on plant growth and soil fertility. Stop fertilizing approximately eight weeks before the first expected frost to prevent tender new growth that could suffer winter damage. Adding a generous layer of composted manure mulch in spring helps retain soil moisture and provides slow-release nutrients.
Planting and Pruning Rosa ‘Stephen Rulo’
Planting
Plant roses in winter or early spring for optimal establishment. For bare-root plants, soak the roots in water for a few hours before planting. For container-grown roses, dig a hole twice as wide and equally deep as the root ball. Position the bud union at or just below soil level, especially in colder climates, and fill the hole with soil, tamp gently, and water thoroughly.
Pruning
Prune in late winter or early spring as new growth begins. Remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood and trim crossing canes. Reduce remaining canes by roughly one-third to maintain shape and encourage strong blooms. Summer deadheading of spent flowers will stimulate additional flushes and keep the bush tidy. In colder climates, consider more severe pruning to prevent winter damage.
Propagation of Rosa ‘Stephen Rulo’
Propagate ‘Stephen Rulo’ via hardwood cuttings or grafting onto suitable rootstocks. Take cuttings in late summer, selecting healthy, semi-ripe stems. Plant them in well-draining propagation medium and maintain warmth and humidity until roots develop. Grafting ensures genetic consistency and preserves the unique flower color traits.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests
Monitor for aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, and thrips. Inspect buds and leaves regularly to detect infestations early. Manage pests with insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils such as neem oil, or strong water sprays to physically remove them.
Common Diseases
Watch for black spot, powdery mildew, and rust. Black spot manifests as black lesions on leaves, leading to yellowing and premature leaf drop. Powdery mildew appears as a white, powdery coating on foliage and buds. Rust produces orange pustules on leaf undersides.
Prevent disease by maintaining good air circulation, watering at the base, removing infected leaves promptly, and applying fungicides if necessary according to manufacturer instructions. Mulching around the base also helps regulate soil moisture and reduce fungal spores.
Environmental Tolerances
‘Stephen Rulo’ thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9, with optimal performance in zones 6b and warmer. The plant tolerates occasional heat and moderate drought once established but performs best with consistent moisture and sunlight. Mulch helps regulate soil temperature, and protecting new growth during hard freezes prevents dieback.
Landscaping Uses of Rosa ‘Stephen Rulo’
Use this Grandiflora rose in mixed borders, formal garden beds, and as specimen plants for color and fragrance. Its tall, upright form adds vertical structure, while its unique color palette complements pastel gardens and mixed plantings. ‘Stephen Rulo’ also excels as a cut flower, retaining fragrance and color for bouquets and floral arrangements.
Final Notes
Rosa ‘Stephen Rulo’ combines strikingly unusual colors, reliable flowering, and a sweet fragrance, making it a standout Grandiflora rose. By following proper planting, pruning, and care techniques, gardeners can enjoy abundant blooms throughout the season. With attention to soil, sun, water, and pest management, this rose rewards with beauty, fragrance, and lasting presence in the garden.
