Mr. Lincoln rose

Sun

Full sun, ideally at least 6 hours daily; morning sun helps dry the leaves.

Water

Water deeply when the upper 2 in (5 cm) of soil dries out. Keep the root zone evenly moist during growth without leaving it waterlogged.

Soil

Fertile, well-drained loam enriched with compost; slightly acidic to neutral soil is ideal.

Height

4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m)

Spread

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m)

Flowers

Large, double, deep-red flowers, usually carried singly on long stems, in repeat flushes from late spring or early summer into autumn.

Foliage

Dark-green, compound leaves with toothed leaflets; usually deciduous, though some leaves may persist in mild winters.

Growth

Moderate to fast with adequate water and feeding.

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

   2.5 ft (0.75 m)

3. After 2 years

   3 ft (1 m)

4. After 3 years

   4 ft (1.3 m)

5. After 5 years

   5 ft (1.5 m)

   full size

About 4 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

Fast

• Water at soil level rather than over the leaves, especially during dry spells.
• Apply rose fertilizer as spring growth begins and again after the first main flush, following the label; stop nitrogen feeding by 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.
• Allow space for air circulation and remove fallen diseased leaves promptly.
• In zone 5 and exposed zone 6 gardens, mound soil or compost over the crown and graft union after the plant becomes dormant; remove the mound gradually in spring.

Pruning. In late winter or early spring, as buds swell and severe frost becomes less likely, remove dead, weak and crossing stems, then shorten healthy main stems by about one-third to one-half above outward-facing buds. During flowering, cut spent blooms back to a strong leaf and remove rootstock suckers at their point of origin.

Late winter to early spring

Prune before strong new growth; delay in cold districts until severe frost is unlikely.

Spring

Plant bare-root roses while dormant and the soil is workable; water thoroughly and mulch.

Spring

Feed as growth begins and check young shoots for aphids.

Summer

Water deeply during dry weather, deadhead regularly and feed after the first main flowering flush.

Summer to early autumn

Check leaves for black spot and mildew; remove affected material before problems spread.

Late autumn

Clear fallen leaves and add winter crown protection where needed once the plant is dormant.

• Plant in a dedicated rose bed where the tall stems have room and air can circulate.
• Use behind lower perennials such as catmint or hardy geraniums to soften the bare lower stems.
• Place near a path or seating area where the flower fragrance can be enjoyed, keeping prickly stems clear of access.
• Grow in a sunny cutting garden for long-stemmed, fragrant red flowers.

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

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

Wildlife: The densely double flowers offer limited access to pollen compared with single roses. Aphids on the shoots can support ladybirds, lacewings and other predators.

• Black spot causes dark leaf spots, yellowing and leaf drop: remove affected and fallen leaves, water at ground level and improve airflow; where severe, use a locally approved rose fungicide according to its label.
• Powdery mildew coats young leaves and buds with white growth: avoid drought stress and crowded planting, remove badly affected tips and use a labelled treatment if necessary.
• Aphids cluster on soft shoots and buds: dislodge with water, encourage natural predators or use insecticidal soap labelled for roses.
• Winter dieback can kill exposed stems, especially in colder gardens: protect the crown and graft union, then prune back to healthy wood in spring.

Roses are not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses. Prickles can puncture skin or injure mouths, and swallowed plant material may cause mild stomach upset; avoid eating flowers treated with garden pesticides.

• Chrysler Imperial rose (Rosa 'Chrysler Imperial')

  Another fragrant, dark-red hybrid tea, usually with a shorter, bushier habit than Mr. Lincoln. Flowers overlap greatly in appearance, so a reliable label is the best confirmation.

• Oklahoma rose (Rosa 'Oklahoma')

  Also tall and strongly fragrant, but its flowers generally appear darker, with more blackish-red tones. Colour changes with weather and flower age, so it is not a certain identification on its own.

The cultivar name 'Mister Lincoln' honours Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States.

Propagation. Propagate by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings, though rooting success varies; commercial plants are often budded onto rootstocks. Seedlings will not come true to the cultivar.

Accepted botanical name

Rosa

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