Rosa Sunshine Babylon Eyes ('Intereybabnus') | Shrub Rose
Rose Sunshine Babylon Eyes (shrub)
A changing blend of red, amber and warm gold gives this compact rose a noticeably different look as each flower matures. Rosa ‘Sunshine Babylon Eyes’ produces large, open blooms with a deep burgundy-red eye at the centre, surrounded by petals that move through fiery red, tropical orange, apricot and golden tones.
The single to semi-double flowers repeat through the season, with their colouring continuing to develop as they age. Cooler evenings later in the year can intensify the shades even further, bringing out richer reds and stronger contrast around the central eye. A light floral scent adds another layer of interest without overpowering the flowers themselves.
Its open flower shape also makes this a good pollinator-friendly rose, allowing bees and other beneficial insects easy access to the centre of the blooms. Dark green foliage provides a strong backdrop for the warm colours and helps give the plant a neat, leafy appearance between flowers.
With its compact shrub habit, repeat flowering and constantly changing colour, this is a useful choice where you want plenty of impact without a large rose taking over the space. It works particularly well in smaller borders and other situations where a colourful, manageable shrub rose is called for.
All our roses are grown in an open field and then dug up when the weather conditions are right in October or November. Some suppliers send out their roses as 'bare root' plants (i.e. without pots or compost), but we pot ours up as it helps to keep the roots hydrated and in good condition. As they are dormant throughout the winter, they will not produce any new roots until spring, so don't be surprised if the compost falls away from the roots when you take them out of their pots.
The roses can be kept in their pots throughout the winter provided they are kept well fed and watered, however ideally they should be planted out as soon as possible. They will already have been cut back so no further pruning will be required, apart from snipping off any tips that have died back. Routine pruning can begin in late winter the year after planting.
The single to semi-double flowers repeat through the season, with their colouring continuing to develop as they age. Cooler evenings later in the year can intensify the shades even further, bringing out richer reds and stronger contrast around the central eye. A light floral scent adds another layer of interest without overpowering the flowers themselves.
Its open flower shape also makes this a good pollinator-friendly rose, allowing bees and other beneficial insects easy access to the centre of the blooms. Dark green foliage provides a strong backdrop for the warm colours and helps give the plant a neat, leafy appearance between flowers.
With its compact shrub habit, repeat flowering and constantly changing colour, this is a useful choice where you want plenty of impact without a large rose taking over the space. It works particularly well in smaller borders and other situations where a colourful, manageable shrub rose is called for.
All our roses are grown in an open field and then dug up when the weather conditions are right in October or November. Some suppliers send out their roses as 'bare root' plants (i.e. without pots or compost), but we pot ours up as it helps to keep the roots hydrated and in good condition. As they are dormant throughout the winter, they will not produce any new roots until spring, so don't be surprised if the compost falls away from the roots when you take them out of their pots.
The roses can be kept in their pots throughout the winter provided they are kept well fed and watered, however ideally they should be planted out as soon as possible. They will already have been cut back so no further pruning will be required, apart from snipping off any tips that have died back. Routine pruning can begin in late winter the year after planting.
How to care for Sunshine Babylon Eyes ('Intereybabnus'):
If planting in winter, choose a frost-free spell when the soil is not frozen. Roses are quite deep-rooted plants so dig a deep hole roughly twice as wide as the plant's roots and mix in a generous amount of composted organic matter. A top-dressing of a general purpose fertiliser can be worked into the surrounding soil and we also recommend using Rose Rootgrow at this stage to encourage better root development. This is particularly important when planting into a bed where roses have previously been grown as Rose Rootgrow is said to combat rose sickness (also known as replant disease).
Remove the plants from their pots and gently spread out the roots before placing them in the centre of the hole. Try to ensure that the 'bud union' (the point where the cultivated rose has been grafted onto the rootstock, and from where the shoots emerge) is at soil level. You can judge this quite easily by laying something flat, like a spade handle or bamboo cane, across the top of the hole. When they are at the right height, back-fill the hole, firming the soil down gently before watering the plant well.
Water generously until well established, and apply a specialist rose fertiliser (following the manufacturer's instructions) each spring. They will also benefit from a generous mulch of composted farmyard manure in spring, but make sure this is kept away from the stems. Allow space between plants to encourage good air circulation, which helps prevent fungal problems such as black spot and mildew. Roses grown in containers will need more regular watering and feeding, particularly during warm, dry weather.
While wearing tough gloves, prune in late winter or early spring, removing any dead, damaged or weak-looking stems completely. Compact Persica shrub roses need relatively light pruning, so shorten the remaining stems by around one-third, cutting just above an outward-facing bud. This will encourage fresh flowering growth while maintaining the plant's naturally compact, well-branched shape. Deadhead faded blooms regularly through the summer to promote repeat flowering and keep the plant looking tidy.
Unlike hybrid tea roses, compact Persica/shrub roses do not need hard pruning or regular removal of older stems. Focus instead on maintaining a balanced, healthy framework, removing congested or crossing growth as needed and lightly shaping the plant each year.
Remove the plants from their pots and gently spread out the roots before placing them in the centre of the hole. Try to ensure that the 'bud union' (the point where the cultivated rose has been grafted onto the rootstock, and from where the shoots emerge) is at soil level. You can judge this quite easily by laying something flat, like a spade handle or bamboo cane, across the top of the hole. When they are at the right height, back-fill the hole, firming the soil down gently before watering the plant well.
Water generously until well established, and apply a specialist rose fertiliser (following the manufacturer's instructions) each spring. They will also benefit from a generous mulch of composted farmyard manure in spring, but make sure this is kept away from the stems. Allow space between plants to encourage good air circulation, which helps prevent fungal problems such as black spot and mildew. Roses grown in containers will need more regular watering and feeding, particularly during warm, dry weather.
While wearing tough gloves, prune in late winter or early spring, removing any dead, damaged or weak-looking stems completely. Compact Persica shrub roses need relatively light pruning, so shorten the remaining stems by around one-third, cutting just above an outward-facing bud. This will encourage fresh flowering growth while maintaining the plant's naturally compact, well-branched shape. Deadhead faded blooms regularly through the summer to promote repeat flowering and keep the plant looking tidy.
Unlike hybrid tea roses, compact Persica/shrub roses do not need hard pruning or regular removal of older stems. Focus instead on maintaining a balanced, healthy framework, removing congested or crossing growth as needed and lightly shaping the plant each year.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.8m
Eventual spread:
0.8m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, but well-drained soil, or general-purpose loam-based potting compost
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
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This rose is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
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Humans/Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten
