Rose 'Queen of Denmark', Rose 'Königin von Dänemark', Damask Roses, Shrub Roses
Rosa ‘Queen of Denmark’ is a classic Damask rose introduced in 1826 by Miellez. This exquisite heirloom rose is renowned for its soft pink blooms, enchanting fragrance, and historical significance. Often admired for its old-world charm and robust nature, it has become a favorite among rose enthusiasts and gardeners seeking a blend of elegance and history.
Roses belong to the Rosaceae family, which includes other plants such as Apples (Malus domestica), Peaches (Prunus persica), and Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa).
Rosa ‘Queen of Denmark’ is a deciduous shrub rose celebrated for its perfectly formed, fully double blooms. The flowers are a delicate blend of soft pink tones, with a slightly deeper hue at the center that fades gracefully as the blooms mature. Their rosette-like structure and densely packed petals add a sense of sophistication to any garden.
This once-blooming rose makes a dramatic impact in early summer with an intense flush of blossoms. Known for its strong, sweet fragrance, it embodies the classic scent of Damask roses, evoking the romance of traditional rose gardens.
Rosa ‘Queen of Denmark’ was bred in France by Miellez, a celebrated rose breeder of the early 19th century. As a Damask rose, it belongs to a lineage cherished for centuries for its exceptional fragrance, medicinal uses, and beauty. Damask roses are believed to have originated in the Middle East and were brought to Europe during the Crusades. Rosa ‘Queen of Denmark’ carries this rich legacy, representing the pinnacle of historical rose breeding.
This rose is a deciduous shrub with an upright, bushy growth habit. Its robust, arching thorny canes and dense foliage create a well-structured plant that can serve as a focal point in formal or informal garden designs. The plant’s graceful form is complemented by its profuse blooming, offering a lush display of flowers during its flowering season.
Rosa ‘Queen of Denmark’ typically grows to:
Its moderate size makes it suitable for a variety of garden settings, including cottage gardens, mixed borders, or as a standalone specimen.
The blooms of Rosa ‘Queen of Denmark’ are its most treasured feature:
The blooms are borne singly or in small clusters, with each flower lasting several days, ensuring a prolonged visual and olfactory delight.
The foliage consists of blue-green, ovate leaves with a coarse texture. Arranged in a pinnate pattern, the leaves provide a lush and elegant backdrop to the vibrant blooms, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the plant.
Rosa ‘Queen of Denmark’ thrives in USDA Zones 4–8, making it well-suited to a variety of temperate climates. It tolerates cold winters and performs reliably in diverse growing conditions, demonstrating the resilience characteristic of Damask roses.
This heirloom rose is cherished for its versatility and beauty, making it a valuable addition to any garden:
Rosa ‘Queen of Denmark’ has received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, recognizing its exceptional qualities, resilience, and historical importance.
Deer and rabbits can cause damage.
This heirloom rose is non-toxic to humans and pets, making it a safe choice for family-friendly gardens. Its petals are even edible and widely used in culinary and cosmetic applications.
This rose is not invasive. While it may produce occasional suckers, it does not spread aggressively in gardens.
This rose thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. For optimal blooming, ensure at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
This heirloom rose prefers well-drained, loamy soil enriched with organic matter. It thrives in slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0) conditions. Tolerant of poor soil.
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 or damaged wood and shape the plant. After blooming, remove spent flowers to maintain a tidy appearance.
Propagate by hardwood cuttings: Collect mature, dormant stems for propagation in late summer to autumn.
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 |
4 - 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Roses, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Rosa - Shrub Rose, Rosa |
Common names | Rose |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid) |
Height | 3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
Spread | 3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
Spacing | 36" - 60" (90cm - 150cm) |
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, Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |
Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Roses, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Rosa - Shrub Rose, Rosa |
Common names | Rose |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid) |
Height | 3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
Spread | 3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
Spacing | 36" - 60" (90cm - 150cm) |
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, Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |
How many Rosa ‘Queen of Denmark’ (Damask Rose) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Rosa ‘Queen of Denmark’ (Damask 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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