Outta the Blue was bred by Tom Carruth and introduced by Weeks Wholesale Rose Grower in 2000, the offspring of Stephens' Big Purple crossed with a complex hybrid involving International Herald Tribune. The flowers are a true spectacle: clusters of 4 to 5-inch blooms open magenta swirled with gold, then shift through violet and into soft lavender-blue as they age, so a single stem can carry several distinct shades at once. Each bloom packs 40 to 50 scalloped petals and carries a strong spicy fragrance.

Growing 3 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, the shrub is bushy and broadly upright with medium green foliage on prickled stems. It blooms in flushes through the season and tolerates container culture if given enough root room. Full sun and amended, well-drained soil keep it performing well. It is susceptible to blackspot, so good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering are worth the extra attention. Hardy in zones 5 through 10, it works as a specimen, hedge, or bold accent in a cottage or cutting garden.