Rose 'Hermosa', China Roses, Shrub Roses
Rosa ‘Hermosa’ is a beloved heirloom rose celebrated for its abundant, delicate pink blooms, long flowering season, and compact growth habit. Introduced in 1840 by Jean-Baptiste Guillot, this China Rose has captured the hearts of gardeners for generations. Its graceful blooms and strong fragrance, combined with its resilience, make it an ideal choice for gardens of all sizes.
Roses belong to the Rosaceae family, which includes other plants such as Apples (Malus domestica), Peaches (Prunus persica), and Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa).
Rosa ‘Hermosa’ is a compact, deciduous shrub rose that produces abundant, soft pink, fully double blooms. Renowned for its repeat-flowering ability and sweet fragrance, it is perfect for adding charm and elegance to any garden.
Rosa ‘Hermosa’ belongs to the China rose lineage, a group of roses originally native to subtropical regions of China. China roses, including Rosa chinensis, were brought to Europe in the 18th century and became the foundation for many modern rose hybrids. ‘Hermosa’ embodies the best qualities of its lineage, with graceful blooms and a long flowering season.
Rosa ‘Hermosa’ is a deciduous shrub with a bushy, upright growth habit. Its neat and compact structure makes it ideal for smaller gardens, containers, or formal borders.
Height: 2–3 feet (60–90 cm)
Width: 2–3 feet (60–90 cm)
This moderate size allows Rosa ‘Hermosa’ to fit beautifully into a variety of garden settings, from cottage gardens to urban balconies.
The blooms of Rosa ‘Hermosa’ are its defining feature:
The foliage consists of medium green, slightly glossy leaves that provide a lovely contrast to the vibrant pink blooms. The pinnate leaves are smooth and elegant, enhancing the rose’s overall ornamental appeal.
Rosa ‘Hermosa’ thrives in USDA Zones 6–9, tolerating mild winters and warm, sunny climates. Its adaptability and robust nature make it a reliable performer in diverse growing conditions.
Rosa ‘Hermosa’ is valued for its versatility and aesthetic appeal:
Although not entirely immune, its thorny stems can deter deer and rabbits to some extent.
This rose is non-toxic to humans and pets. Its petals are even edible and commonly used in culinary and decorative applications.
This old garden rose is not invasive. While it may produce occasional suckers, it remains easy to manage.
This rose thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering. It can tolerate partial shade, but reduced sunlight may lead to fewer blooms.
Plant in well-draining, loamy soil enriched with organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0) is ideal. Amending the soil with compost improves fertility and promotes healthy growth.
Regular watering is essential, particularly during hot, dry periods. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and water at the base to avoid wetting the foliage.
Feed with a balanced rose fertilizer in early spring and again in early summer. Adding compost or well-rotted manure helps maintain soil fertility.
Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead, damaged, or weak canes. During the growing season, deadhead spent blooms to encourage further flowering and maintain a tidy appearance.
Propagate this China rose using several methods:
Although this heirloom rose is loved for its beauty, it can be prone to:
This rose may attract common pests such as aphids, spider mites, scale insects, or caterpillars. These pests can damage foliage, flowers, and stems, reducing the plant’s vigor.
Roses are susceptible to several fungal diseases, including rose black spot, rust, and powdery mildew. These diseases often thrive in humid conditions, causing leaf discoloration, defoliation, or stem dieback. Disorders like rose blindness (failure to bloom) and flower balling (petals failing to open) may also occur under certain conditions. In severe cases, honey fungus, a soil-borne pathogen, can damage the plant’s root system.
Regular monitoring, proper pruning, and ensuring good air circulation can minimize risks. Applying organic pest control measures and treating fungal infections early with fungicides are essential to maintaining healthy roses.
Hardiness |
6 - 9 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Roses, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Rosa - Shrub Rose, Rosa |
Common names | Rose |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Spacing | 24" - 36" (60cm - 90cm) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral, Alkaline |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard |
Hardiness |
6 - 9 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Roses, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Rosa - Shrub Rose, Rosa |
Common names | Rose |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Spacing | 24" - 36" (60cm - 90cm) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral, Alkaline |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard |
How many Rosa ‘Hermosa’ (China Rose) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
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Rosa ‘Hermosa’ (China Rose) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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