Botanical/commercial classification:

Latin name—Rosa hybrida.

Common name—Shrub Rose Plant.

Varietal denomination: ‘RIPfirst’.

BACKGROUND

‘RIPfirst’ is a new and distinct variety of shrub rose. ‘RIPfirst’ originated from a controlled hybridization in February 2011 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. between the female parent, ‘Prairie Sunrise’ variety (unpatented), and the male parent, an un-named and unpatented light pink shrub rose seedling.

The resulting seeds from the hybridization were planted and evaluated. ‘RIPfirst’ was selected October 2012 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. ‘RIPfirst’ was first asexually propagated in March 2013 in Litchfield Park, Ariz. by budding and grafting on the plant/rootstock ofRosa hybrida‘Dr. Huey’ (unpatented) and subsequently by own root cuttings.

Other subsequent asexual propagations were conducted in controlled environments in Litchfield Park, Ariz. and Tyler, Tex. and demonstrate that ‘RIPfirst’ reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction via softwood cuttings, budding, and grafting.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL LINES

‘RIPfirst’ may be distinguished from the female parent, ‘Prairie Sunrise’ cultivar (unpatented) by the following combination of characteristics: ‘Prairie Sunrise’ has apricot flowers, while ‘RIPfirst’ has coral flowers. ‘Prairie Sunrise’ has a semi-erect habit, while ‘RIPfirst’ has a compact habit. ‘Prairie Sunrise’ has 40 to 50 petals, while ‘RIPfirst’ has 20 to 25 petals.

‘RIPfirst’ may be distinguished from the male parent, an un-named shrub rose plant by the following combination of characteristics: the male parent has light pink flowers, while ‘RIPfirst’ has coral flowers. The male parent has an upright habit, while ‘RIPfirst’ has a compact habit. The male parent also has 30 to 35 petals, while ‘RIPfirst’ has 20 to 25 petals.

‘RIPfirst’ may be distinguished from its closest commercially available cultivar, ‘RADral’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,803) by the following combination of characteristics: ‘RADral’ has a loose plant habit compared to the compact habit of ‘RIPfirst’. ‘RADral’ has a bloom color that lightens with age, while ‘RIPfirst’ has a bloom color that slightly darkens with age. ‘RIPfirst’ is also considerably smaller than ‘RADral’ plant (80 cm tall versus 165 cm tall).

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Litchfield Park, Ariz. and Tyler, Tex. 1. A shrub rose having a compact and mounding growth habit, suitable for landscape decoration; 2. Coral colored flowers borne continuously; and 3. Dense, medium green foliage.

