Rosa 'Francis E. Lester' (HM/Ra)

RHS Plant Profile
rose 'Francis E. Lester'

Synonyms

Rosa 'F.E. Lester'

Award of Garden MeritPlants for pollinators
Climber Wall Shrub Roses

Large, vigorous rambler rose about 4.5m tall, with coppery-tinted, dark green foliage. Pink buds open to large sprays of very fragrant, single, white blooms splashed pale pink on the edges of the petals, once-flowering in summer, followed by small red fruits (hips)

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing
Potentially harmful
Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Rosa can be deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or scrambling climbers, with usually thorny stems bearing compound pinnate leaves and solitary or clustered flowers. Flowers may be followed by showy red or purple fruits in some varieties.
Name Status
Accepted
Horticultural Group
Hybrid Musk roses are vigorous shrubs with long, arching stems bearing glossy foliage, with large clusters of small fragrant double flowers in summer and autumn

How to Grow

Cultivation

A rose for plenty of space, grow in full sun with fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Vigorous rambler suitable for growing into trees. Tolerates poor soil, shade and a north aspect, suited for climbing into trees - rose cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by budding in summer, hardwood cuttings in autumn, chip budding, semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or by layering.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 18 (rambler roses) - see our video How to prune rambling roses. Don't prune after flowering if fruits (hips) are required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, rose leafhopper, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects, caterpillars, large rose sawfly and rose leaf-rolling sawfly; rabbits and deer can cause damage

Diseases

May be susceptible to rose black spot, rose rust and rose powdery mildew