Double Delight rose

Sun

Full sun, ideally at least 6 hours daily; provide good air circulation without strong, drying winds.

Water

Water deeply at soil level when the top 2 in (5 cm) of soil dries; water more often during establishment and hot weather.

Soil

Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil; slightly acidic to neutral is ideal. Avoid waterlogged ground.

Height

3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m)

Spread

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m)

Flowers

Repeat flushes from late spring or early summer into autumn; large, double, creamy-white to pale-yellow flowers edged crimson-red, with a strong, spicy fragrance.

Foliage

Glossy, dark green, divided leaves on upright, thorny stems; normally deciduous, though some leaves may persist in mild climates.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

High

• Heat tolerant
• Low allergen
• Fragrant

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

Difficulty

Hard

Toughness

Needs looking after

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

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   2.1 ft (0.64 m)

3. After 2 years

   2.6 ft (0.78 m)

4. After 3 years

   3 ft (0.92 m)

5. After 5 years

   4 ft (1.2 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 the root zone deeply rather than sprinkling the foliage.
• Apply a rose fertiliser as spring growth begins and again after the first flowering flush, following the label; stop feeding in late summer in cold climates.
• Spread 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Remove spent flowers to a strong leaf or outward-facing bud to encourage repeat flowering.
• Collect diseased fallen leaves and remove badly affected foliage promptly.
• In colder parts of its range, mound soil or compost over the crown and graft union after dormancy begins; remove the mound gradually in spring.

Pruning. In late winter or early spring, as buds begin to swell and severe frosts ease, remove dead, damaged and crossing stems, then shorten strong remaining canes by roughly one-third to one-half above outward-facing buds. Remove rootstock suckers at their point of origin below the graft.

Late winter

Plant bare-root roses when the soil is workable and neither frozen nor waterlogged.

Late winter to early spring

Prune as buds swell, adjusting timing to local frost conditions.

Spring

Apply rose fertiliser, replenish mulch and begin checking young growth for aphids.

Summer

Water deeply during dry spells, deadhead regularly and feed after the first flush.

Summer to autumn

Check for black spot and mildew; remove affected leaves and clear fallen foliage.

Late autumn

Clear diseased debris and add winter protection in cold climates once the plant is dormant.

• Plant beside a sunny path or seating area where you can enjoy the fragrance without brushing against thorns.
• Use in a formal rose bed with enough spacing for air to move between plants.
• Place among catmint, lavender or hardy geraniums to soften the bare lower stems without crowding the crown.
• Grow in a dedicated cutting bed for long-stemmed, fragrant flowers.
• Use as a focal shrub in a sunny cottage border, where the cream-and-red flowers provide a strong accent.

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

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

Wildlife: The densely double flowers offer less accessible pollen than single roses. Foliage and stems can support aphids and the ladybirds, lacewings and other predators that feed on them.

• Black spot: dark leaf spots followed by yellowing and leaf drop. Remove fallen leaves, water at soil level and improve airflow; if severe, use a locally approved rose fungicide according to its label.
• Powdery mildew: white coating on young leaves and buds. Keep roots evenly moist, avoid overcrowding and excessive nitrogen, and remove badly affected tips.
• Aphids: colonies on soft shoots and buds. Dislodge with water or use insecticidal soap according to the label, avoiding beneficial insects.
• Flower balling: rain and cool, damp weather can make the densely packed petals stick together before opening. Remove spoiled buds and choose an open, sunny position with good airflow.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. Thorns can puncture skin, mouths and paws, and eating plant material may cause mild stomach upset; flowers treated with garden pesticides should not be eaten.

• Peace rose (Rosa 'Peace')

  Peace usually has yellow flowers edged pink, rather than the cream-and-crimson contrast of Double Delight, and its fragrance is generally lighter.

• Cherry Parfait rose (Rosa 'Cherry Parfait')

  Cherry Parfait also has pale petals with red edges, but usually carries flowers in clusters and has a much lighter fragrance than Double Delight.

The name 'Double Delight' refers to the combination of striking two-tone flowers and strong fragrance.

Propagation. Propagate by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings, although rooting success varies. Commercial plants are commonly budded onto a rootstock; seedlings will not reliably match the parent cultivar.

Accepted botanical name

Rosa

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