Website/Catalog  (8 Aug 2016)  Includes photo(s).
 
Midnight Rose is a fabulous Floribunda variety bred in New Zealand and is available in the UK exclusively through Style Roses. Midnight Rose has deepest dark russet red/brown semi double blooms which open out to reveal a beautiful golden centre giving a fabulous contrast. Blooms last well and are borne in trusses of 4 – 6 flowers on well supporting stems. Bronzed, new growth turns to a dark, glossed green. Habit is bushy and wide with good resistance to disease. Also grown & sold in New Zealand as Dark Moment. Fragrance: Light Bush Rose Height: 90cm. Special Online Offer for potted roses. Breeder's code: Simdemo

Website/Catalog  (2010)  Includes photo(s).
 
‘Dark Moments’, from John Ford of New Zealand, is a large, strong-growing cluster-flowered shrub, with medium-sized, open blooms in shades of ox-blood and burnt orange, offering yet another new shade in the already vast spectrum of hues found in the genus rosa. In mild weather when the bees are foraging, the blooms give off a distinctive clove-like fragrance, a la carnations. A very interesting new variety, and long-lasting when cut.

Book  (2006)  Includes photo(s).
 
p48 Photo. 'Dark Moments'

p51. Nola Simpson and John Ford. Breeding for Chocolate Brown Colours in Roses. ....There have been a number of others along the way worth mentioning. 'Dark Moments' (SIMdemo) bred from 'Kirsty Jayne' and 'Mary Sumner' has been quite popular and holds its brown colour well in the heat; again it is very vigorous. 'Kirsty Jayne' was one of the earlier seedlings from the original 'Orangeade' seedling.

Book  (2004)  Page(s) 34.  
 
Janet Pike. Favourite Exhibiting Roses. Large Stem: 'Dark Moments'. I love this rose, a very different colour of real dark chocolate. it performs well, with foliage complementing the head and nice straight stems.

Book  (1996)  Page(s) 114.  
 
Nola Simpson. Final Analysis 1995-96 Floribundas.
'Dark Moments'. (SIMdamo). Simpson 1991; 'Kirsty Jayne' x Seedling; dark brown; 34 reports on 48 bushes; 1-7 years; 1.5 metres; 7.6 rating. This floribunda has not been reported on by a large number since its introduction, but those that have are generally happy with it. The colour of the flowers is the most appealing aspect as they are a dark mahogany brown with gold stamens borne in both large and small stems, the colour does not fade even on the aged blooms. The bushes are strong and healthy for the most part with slight powdery mildew mentioned as the only a problem. The foliage is dark and glossy and the plants grow wide requiring more space than most roses. It has a tendency to throw long growths in the autumn to the detriment of flower production. A rose that is worth growing for the colour alone and these shades seem to be all the vogue at the present time, especially for weddings.

Book  (1995)  Page(s) 104.  
 
Nola Simpson. Review of Newer Roses for 1994-95 Season. Floribundas.
'Dark Moments' SIMdamo) Simpson 1991; 'Kirsty Jayne' x Seedling; dark brown; 8 reports on 11 bushes; 1- 5 years; 1.4 metres; 7.4 rating. Not widely grown but has had reasonable reports. Waikato finds it free of disease, good for picking, keeps well and repeat is good. Franklin says it has dark mahogany brown flowers with gold stamens borne in both large and small stems, colour does not fade, can throw long growths in the autumn. Another Waikato grower says it has rich clusters that hold their colour and form a long time. From Manawatu habit sprawly, very vigorous, healthy apart from a little powdery mildew, dark glossy foliage, worth growing for colour alone.

Book  (1994)  Page(s) 103.  
 
Nola Simpson. Review of Newer Roses for 1993-94 Season. Floribundas.
'Dark Moments' (SIMdamo); Simpson 1991; 'Kirsty Jayne' x Seedling; dark brown; 7 reports on 10 bushes; 1-5 years; 1.4 metres; 7.6 rating. Not grown by many yet, but those who do are reasonably happy. The highest rating comes from a Franklin grower who likes the colour and the good repeat. Two Canterbury growers find it healthy, vigorous, well balanced heads both large and small and is suitable for exhibiting. Another Franklin report describes it as a spreading bush with dark glossy foliage, the flowers dark mahogany brown with gold stamens, healthy except for very slight powdery mildew. The flower production in the autumn is not as good as it might be.

Book  (1993)  Page(s) 101.  
 
'Dark Moments' (SIMdamo). Simpson 1991; 'Kirsty Jayne' x Seedling; dark brown; 5 reports on 7 bushes; 1-2 years; 1.4 metres; 7.8 rating. Not grown by many yet but those that do are reasonably happy. The highest rating comes from a Waikato grower who likes the colour and the good repeat. Two Canterbury growers find it healthy, vigorous, well balanced heads both large and small and is suitable for exhibiting. From Northland a report states it is untidy in growth - almost climbing proportions, unusual colour and few flowers. A Manawatu grower recommends and says it is healthy with fast repeat. Time will tell!!

Book  (1992)  Page(s) 102.  
 
Nola Simpson. Review of Newer Roses for 1991-92 Season.
Floribunda/Shrub. 'Dark Moments' (SIMdamo) Simpson, 1991. 'Kirsty Jayne' x Seedling. Dark brown; 5 reports on 8 bushes, 1-3 years, 1.4 metres, 7.9 rating. The first reports on this new brown floribunda, it has rated fairly well with all the 5 reporters. It is a dark russet brown in colour, the flowers are borne in both small and large clusters with conformation making it suitable for showing. The colour is stable unlike most of the other browns and holds as flowers age. The bush strong and healthy with a spreading habit, can be sparse flowering in the autumn.