Rosa 'WEKsunspat' (Marilyn Monroe™)

Rosa 'WEKsunspat' (Marilyn Monroe™) was bred by Tom Carruth in the United States and is a cross between Rosa 'FRYxotic' (Sunset Celebration™) and R. 'WEKamanda' (St. Patrick™). It is a hybrid tea rose.

At Brookgreen Gardens, we found Rosa 'WEKsunspat' (Marilyn Monroe™) to perform poorly in our area and have removed them from the gardens in favor of more disease resistant and better performing roses. It was our experience that they suffered from black spot (Diplocarpon rosae) and struggled to put on significant growth.

Black spot can cause leaves to develop black spots with blurred edges, yellowing leaves, and eventually partial or entire defoliation. While black spot is rarely fatal, it can weaken the rose by reducing its leaves and therefore its ability to photosynthesize. Although similar in appearance to cercospora leaf spot, black spot can be distinguished by the less defined and more feathered edges of the spots. As with many fungal problems, issues are generally worse in areas with high humidity. Black spot can be treated chemically. 

At Brookgreen Gardens, roses are rarely sprayed for fungal, insect, or other environmental pressures or problems. The Poetry Garden at Brookgreen Gardens is maintained as a completely spray-free rose garden, favoring the use of disease resistant roses and proper cultural practices.