Why 'Oklahoma' Rose Fades from Dark Red to Pink in Heat

A Hawaii grower's 'Oklahoma' rose opened dark red but faded to pink. Jay explained with a photo of his own 'Oklahoma' in the Pacific Northwest:

The Nature of 'Oklahoma'

• One of the best fragrant, dark red roses—but color is unstable.
• Older deep carmine reds always fade to carmine pink or bluish-red as they age.
• Heat accelerates fading; even in part shade, color shifts.

Mitigation

1. Plant where it avoids hot midday sun.
2. Accept the color evolution—it's genetic, not a deficiency.
3. Enjoy the fragrance and "peak of perfection" moment.

Jay's verdict: "In my opinion, the best of the deep reds of yesterday, so it is worth a little extra work."