Rosa Sandra was hybridized for the florist industry by W. Kordes and Sons before 2002 and was then introduced in Germany in 2002. This stunning rose is classified as an orange pink hybrid tea, and like many florist roses, it has little fragrance. But, what stands out about this specimen is its unique coloration; each peachy salmon petal is edged in a dark cerise pink to create a most unusual flower. It blooms on long straight, almost thorn-less stems and creates a rather tall, but compact bush. It is a real eye catcher in the garden, but is also a great contender on the show table.

Not knowing for whom this rose was actually named, I chose Rosa Sandra for July’s rose of the month to celebrate one my favorite actresses, Sandra Annette Bullock, who was born on July 26, 1964 in Arlington, Virginia. Her mother was a German opera singer, her father an American voice teacher. She has one sister, Gesine. She spent most of her childhood in Nuremberg, Germany, returning to the states during her adolescence. She attended acting school in North Carolina until she moved to New York to pursue a career on stage. Once into film, her role in the movie Speed launched her career as an actress and her role in the film The Blind Side won her an Oscar. She has been the highest paid actress in the world on two occasions and has won the hearts of millions. As a mom of two adopted children, she has found her most important role. Happy Birthday to one of America’s Sweethearts!