| Rosa 'American Beauty' | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Hybrid parentage | Rosa hybrid |
| Cultivar | 'American Beauty' |
| Origin | Bred by Henri Lédéchaux, France 1875[1] |
'American Beauty' is a hybrid perpetual rose, bred in France in 1875, and originally named 'Madame Ferdinand Jamin'. The cup-shaped flowers, which are deep pink and strongly scented, appear in flushes over a long period. The height of the shrub ranges between 90 and 200 cm.[1]
It was introduced in the United States in 1875 by George Valentine Nash. In 1888, Basset & Washburn first introduced the rose to other florists for purchase. It was the best selling variety of rose in the United States until 1920. The flower is commemorated in the Joseph Lamb ragtime composition "American Beauty Rag". It makes repeated appearances in the 1999 film American Beauty. It was also featured on the cover of the Grateful Dead album American Beauty.
It is the official flower of the District of Columbia.
It is also the official flower of the Phi Sigma Sigma Fraternity.