August 2009 was one of the hottest summers in 150 years in Central Texas, but this rose stood up better than about 30 others we have, almost as well as our near-indestructible heirloom china roses. It even put out more blooms than the chinas, which tend to pull back in high heat. Fall was indeed much cooler, thank goodness, and this rose got back on track as fast as any, with lots of fresh healthy leaves to support the flowers. Then as luck would have it, we had a winter with record low temps--such wild swings in a 6-month period! Now finally spring is underway, and this rose has taken off. The foliage is very healthy, even though it's not in full sun but on the north side of a grove of trees that tend to shade it from late morning until late afternoon. It is so handsome even with no flowers on it yet, I'd almost grow it simply as a leafy shrub. Modest size, shiny foliage, not too many thorns. But don't get me wrong: I'm looking forward to its being a rose factory again this year. If you like its somewhat unusual color, and changing color at that, then Pumpkin Patch is very highly recommended.

This pretty rose is a graceful, slender, thornless shrub with shiny green stems and long, decorative calcyes that resemble its Basye's Blueberry grandparent. The flowers vary a great deal in color, starting with a red-gold bud that opens to warm rich orange flushed with pink around a golden center. Over several days the petals fade in an interesting fashion, through blush apricot to apple-blossom pink and finally pale mauve as the center turns white. The pleasantly sweet fragrance begins fruity, later becomes floral, and is strong enough to be noticed standing next to the bush. When a number of flowers are open at different stages, the effect is showy, fresh, and cheerful.

Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer was a 19th-century German immigrant to the US with an education in botany and horticulture. He arrived in Texas the day after the Battle of San Jacinto in 1835 and later settled in New Braunfels, where he worked as a newspaper publisher and pursued research in native plants. His house is now a museum.

Update Dec 2008.
After growing this rose for a year, I am still pleased with it. It came through a droughty summer of record heat still looking good, but like all my other roses, with fewer flowers during the tough weather. Cooler fall temps brought back lots of blooms. In my garden, it has shown some tendency to blackspot, but this is mainly only a cosmetic issue, certainly without the major loss of leaves that mars more susceptible varieties.