About
An old rose, neatly rounded, maturing to 2m tall with thorny, mossy stems bearing pinnate leaves divided into ovate, toothed, leathery, dark-green leaflets and clusters of moss buds opening into highly aromatic, semi-double blooms of pure crimson, later becoming purple crimson, flowering in one flush during summer.
About the genus
Rosa can be deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or scrambling climbers, with usually thorny stems bearing compound pinnate leaves and solitary or clustered flowers. Flowers may be followed by showy red or purple fruits in some varieties.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeSand, Loam, Clay, Chalk
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeRoses
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
FragranceFlower
ToxicityFruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, humus rich, moist but well drained soil in full sun. For best flowering, apply a balanced fertiliser and mulch in late Winter or early Spring; apply fertiliser again in early Summer. See rose cultivation
PruningSee pruning group 20 (shrub roses)
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early to mid Spring, hardwood cuttings in late Summer to Autumn or by chip budding in Summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, glasshouse red spider mite, rose leafhopper, rabbits, rose leaf-rolling sawfly, scale insects
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to rose black spot, rose rust, rose powdery mildews, which are the most common rose diseases. May also be susceptible to rose dieback, replant disease, a canker, a virus and sometimes honey fungus