It may be that Tantau's reputation is not best served by his most popular roses. It is in association with Tropicana or Fragrant Cloud that so many rose lovers come to know Tantau's name. Tropicana was certainly a good rose in its day, but its popularity has, perhaps, outlived its ability to live up to it. Since its introduction there are a lot of roses in its color zone that eclipse it. Fragrant Cloud's reputation rested on its unique and strong color as well as its fragrance. Today, there are a few other roses in the same color range. And there are other fragrant roses. So some of its cache is ebbing.
I have a weak spot for Geisha, though I do not know whether it is of easy or difficult culture. Its silky pink petals work so well with its prominent red stamens that I see it almost in a class by itself. I once planted Whiskey Mac and learned quickly what people meant when they complained of lack of vigor and poor disease resistance. Polarstern would easily be the best primrose hybrid tea were it not for the subsequent introduction of Elina.
Arguably, Tantau's most enduring rose is City of York. It's a white flowered wichuriana climber that seems to totally lack flaws. It grows a little slowly, but it is steady and completely free of disease. Everywhere I have seen it in bloom I have fallen hopelessly in love with it. It has the same kind of ineffable balance that one associates with the best of Pemberton's roses. But its beauties may be too subtle for many rose growers.
Subtlety is not a problem for Showbiz or Royal Occasion. Both are scarlet, bordering on vermilion and very bright. I have seen few floribundas more foliferous than Showbiz, and none with half the impact.
| Name | Color | Class | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Moon | Purple | Modern Shrub | |
| Cerise Bouquet | Cerise | Modern Shrub | |
| City of York | White | Large Flower Climber | 8.6 |
| Fragrant Cloud | Coral | Large Flowered | 8.1 |
| Geisha | Candy Pink | Cluster Flowered | 7.0 |
| Joy of Life | Red/White Blend | Large Flowered | |
| Joyfulness | Shell Pink | Large Flowered | 8.1 |
| Monika | Orange | Large Flowered | |
| Paprika | Scarlet | Cluster Flowered | |
| Polarstern | Primrose | Large Flowered | 7.7 |
| Prima Ballerina | Candy Pink | Large Flowered | 7.0 |
| Royal Occasion | Vermilion | Cluster Flowered | 8.6 |
| Showbiz | Scarlet | Cluster Flowered | 8.4 |
| Sonnenschirn | Primrose | Modern Shrub | |
| Sunblest | Yellow | Large Flowered | |
| Traumland | Candy Pink | Cluster Flowered | |
| Tropicana | Copper | Large Flowered | 7.5 |
| Whiskey Mac | Apricot | Large Flowerd |