Boscobel rose

Sun

Full sun, ideally at least 6 hours daily; light afternoon shade helps protect flowers in hot climates.

Water

Keep the root zone evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply during dry spells, especially in the first growing season and when grown in a container.

Soil

Fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil; slightly acidic to neutral is ideal. Improve sandy or heavy soil with well-rotted organic matter.

Height

3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m)

Spread

3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m)

Flowers

Repeat flushes from late spring or early summer into autumn; coral to salmon-pink, densely double flowers that become softer pink with age.

Foliage

Green, pinnate leaves with toothed leaflets; normally deciduous, though some leaves may persist through mild winters.

Growth

Moderate; usually forms a substantial shrub within 2-3 growing seasons.

Care needed

Medium

• Low allergen
• Fragrant

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   2 ft (0.61 m)

3. After 2 years

   2.4 ft (0.72 m)

4. After 3 years

   2.7 ft (0.83 m)

5. After 5 years

   3 ft (1.1 m)

   full size

About 5 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water at soil level when the root zone begins to dry; avoid frequent light sprinkling.
• Apply a rose fertiliser as spring growth starts and again after the first main flush, following the label.
• Mulch annually with 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of compost or well-rotted manure, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Remove spent flower clusters back to a strong leaf to encourage repeat flowering.
• Allow room for air circulation and collect diseased fallen leaves.
• In cold parts of its range, protect the crown or graft union with a mound of soil or compost after the plant becomes dormant.

Pruning. In late winter or early spring, as buds begin to swell and severe frosts ease, remove dead, damaged and crossing stems, then shorten remaining growth by roughly one-third to one-half. In mild climates, do this during the coolest dormant period; remove any rootstock suckers at their point of origin.

Late autumn

Plant bare-root roses where the ground is workable and winters are mild; collect fallen diseased leaves.

Winter

Check drainage and cold protection; avoid pruning during severe freezing weather.

Early spring

Prune as buds swell, plant bare-root roses in cold regions, then feed and mulch.

Late spring

Check young shoots for aphids and begin deep watering if rainfall is insufficient.

Summer

Deadhead regularly, water during dry spells and feed after the first main flush.

Early autumn

Stop nitrogen-rich feeding in cold climates so new growth can mature before winter.

• Plant near a path or seating area where the fragrance can be enjoyed without thorny stems obstructing access.
• Repeat through a mixed border with catmint, hardy geraniums and salvias for a long flowering season.
• Group several plants into a low, informal flowering hedge.
• Use in a large, well-drained container as a fragrant feature on a sunny terrace.

Garden styles it suits: English country, Cottage garden, Romantic rose garden, Traditional, Sensory garden and Pastel border.

Plant it with: Catmint, Hardy geranium, Salvia, Lady's mantle, Allium and Lavender.

Wildlife: The dense double flowers offer less accessible pollen than open, single roses. Foliage and stems support insects, including aphids that provide food for predatory insects and birds.

• Black spot: remove affected fallen leaves, water at soil level and keep the shrub open to airflow; use a locally approved rose fungicide if repeated infection causes serious leaf loss.
• Powdery mildew: prevent drought stress and overcrowding; remove badly affected shoot tips and avoid excessive nitrogen feeding.
• Aphids: rub off small colonies or wash them away with water; leave ladybirds and other predators undisturbed.
• Poor flowering or weak growth: check for insufficient sun, dry roots or competition from nearby plants; improve watering and feeding without leaving the soil waterlogged.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. Thorns can puncture skin, mouths and paws; swallowing plant material may cause mild stomach upset, and garden sprays may leave harmful residues.

• Lady of Shalott rose (Rosa 'Ausnyson')

  Its flowers are more orange-apricot, with golden-yellow petal reverses and a looser cup; Boscobel has more tightly packed salmon-pink rosettes.

• Jubilee Celebration rose (Rosa 'Aushunter')

  Its large salmon-pink flowers have conspicuous golden tones on the petal undersides and often nod more strongly; Boscobel generally carries more compact, cupped rosettes.

Boscobel is named after Boscobel House in Shropshire, England, associated with Charles II's refuge after the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

Propagation. Usually sold as a budded or grafted plant; stem cuttings can produce own-root plants, but seedlings will not reliably match the cultivar. Check local plant breeders' rights or patent restrictions before propagating.

Accepted botanical name

Rosa

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.