Rosa 'Geranium'
This beautiful deep scarlet or pink flower will prove popular with visitors to Harlow Carr where, at this time of year, its long red hips bring colour around the garden. You can find it in a few places, including the Main Borders.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Rose 'Geranium'
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Height & spread
- 2.5m (8ft) x 1.5m (5ft)
- Form
- Species rose
- Soil
- Moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil
- Aspect
- Sun or partial shade
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy to -15C or 5F
Rosa
Rosa is a genus of about 150 species of semi evergreen or deciduous, perennial shrubs and climbers. They are found in a range of habitats in Asia, Europe, North Africa and North America.
The name Rosa, is derived from its common name - Rose.
Roses are grown for their attractive and often very fragrant flowers.
Rosa 'Geranium'
This plant is of garden origin.
It has flat or cup-shaped, single, deep scarlet or pink flowers, 5cm in diameter with yellow stamens. These are borne singly or in small clusters and are followed by orange-red hips.
This plant is ideal for use in a cottage garden, flower garden or informal planting.
Cultivation
Rosa ‘Geranium’ should be grown in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil.
If roses have previously been grown on the site, it is necessary, due to the build up of harmful organisms, to use fresh soil. Roses should be planted in frost-less weather in winter or early spring. Apply a balanced fertiliser in late winter or early spring to aid flowering. Any suckers which appear should be removed.
Prune this rose during late summer after flowering only if hips are not required. Prune the main stems slightly or reduce by 1/3. Reduce side shoots by ¼ to 1/3. Also remove dead, diseased damaged and crossing wood. Angle the cut away from the bud so that water does not fall onto this.
Roses are prone to aphids, leafhoppers, red spider mites, scale insects, caterpillars, sawfly larvae and leaf cutting bees. Rabbits and deer can cause damage. Susceptible to black spot, rust, powdery mildew, die-back, canker, crown gall, honey fungus, soil sickness, viruses and downy mildew.
Propagation
Hardwood cuttings rooted in autumn or bud in summer.
AGM
The RHS Woody Plant Committee awarded Rosa 'Geranium' an Award of Garden Merit and described it as:
"A vigorous large shrub of strong, arching growth with attractive dark foliage and single, unscented deep scarlet flowers to 6cm wide, with prominent golden stamens. Elongated red hips in autumn."