Queen Elizabeth Rose is a rose that is as timeless and elegant as the monarch it is named after.
Following the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we think it’s high time to highlight this majestic rose.
In this article, we will give you the full history behind this beloved rose, as well as helpful information on how to grow your own Queen Elizabeth.
Queen Elizabeth Rose History
Despite being named after Queen Elizabeth II, the Rosa ‘Queen Elizabeth’ was ironically bred in the United States by Dr. Walter Lammerts.
Bred in 1954 (two years after Elizabeth II’s coronation), Dr. Lammerts named the rose after the young monarch of the United Kingdom.
Since its introduction to the world, this rose variety has had a meteoric rise in popularity.
In 1979, it won the award for “World’s Favorite Rose.”
Queen Elizabeth rose is a hybrid of two roses, the hybrid tea ‘Charlotte Armstrong’ and the floribunda ‘Floradora.’
For this reason, the Queen Elizabeth is classified as a Grandiflora, which is a general term for all hybrid tea/floribunda rose hybrids.
Grandiflora roses are identifiable by their larger rose clusters which grow on tall stems.
In fact, the Queen Elizabeth rose is such a trailblazer that it is the first Grandiflora rose of its kind!
Queen Elizabeth Rose Characteristics
As previously stated, the Queen Elizabeth is a Grandiflora rose, which means that its pink flowers grow in clusters that sit atop a tall stem.
As a hybrid of the tea roses, the Queen Elizabeth is known to have a very pleasant fragrance.
Just like other grandiflora members, the Queen Elizabeth rose bush itself is a very tall plant and can have a maximum height of around 10 feet tall and a spread of 3 to 4 feet wide.
These roses measure an average diameter of 4 to 5 inches wide.
Their blooms are very full, which the average rose containing somewhere between 26 to 40 petals.
Because of their strong, upright stems, this rose variety is perfect for cutting.
The bloom itself is a gorgeous hue that ranges from pale to dark pink.
However, due to widespread cultivation, there are multiple versions of the Queen Elizabeth rose that vary in color.
Some examples of these colors include yellow and white.
The Queen Elizabeth rose has been used to hybridize 30 rose cultivars.
How To Care For The Queen Elizabeth Rose
The Queen Elizabeth rose prefers more moderate climate conditions, and is hardy to USDA zones 5b through 9b.
This variety is incredibly versatile and can be grown in a multitude of settings.
Queen Elizabeth roses can be used in containers, beds, borders, or hedges.
Soil Type
The ideal soil for the Queen Elizabeth rose is a soil that is fertile, well-draining, and moisture-retentive.
A few weeks prior to planting your roses, incorporate a few inches of organic compost/manure; this will help enrich the soil.
Work this compost until it is at least 8 inches deep within the soil.
The goal is to make sure that when the roots begin to grow deeper, they will benefit from the addition of fertile matter.
The Queen Elizabeth rose enjoys a soil that is moist, but not soaked in water.
We recommend giving your roses two inches of water per week.
A good rule of thumb is to wait until the first few inches of soil have dried up before rehydrating your plant.
How To Water The Queen Elizabeth Rose
In order to really make sure that the water has reached every inch of the root system, it is recommended to water your rose bushes deeply.
A great method of ensuring your roses are watered is the “water, wait, water method”.
Apply a generous dose of water and stop. Wait until the water has been entirely soaked up by the soil (about 15 seconds), and then repeat the process.
If you have a container plant, you should see the excess water leak out from the drainage holes at the bottom.
Fertilization
Fertilization is a necessary part of encouraging strong, vigorous growth in your rose bushes.
While the addition of compost is a great way to give your roses a boost of nutrients, additional fertilizer will really take your plants to the next level.
There are numerous rose-specific fertilizers on the market.
We recommend that you avoid anything that has a high nitrogen content.
Nitrogen is responsible for luscious leaf and branch growth, but it is a great hindrance on bloom development.
Instead, look for something that is slightly higher in phosphorous, this will help encourage full blooms.
Pruning
Since the Queen Elizabeth is such a vigorous grower, routine pruning is a must.
When the winter ends and your rose bush is entering its growing season, we recommend pruning any winter damage.
Using a pair of sharp shears, cut away any parts of the plant that died or became damaged in the winter freeze.
In addition, cut off any canes that cross over each other.
This spring pruning will help encourage the plant to produce new, healthy growth.
Deadheading
This rose variety is a repeat bloomer, which means it will produce large numbers of flowers throughout its blooming season.
To get the highest yield of roses, we recommend deadheading your rose bushes through the season.
When your roses begin to wilt, take your pruning shears and snip off the flower.
This will redirect your plant’s energy towards developing new flower buds, instead of trying to maintain flowers that are wilting.
Planting The Queen Elizabeth Rose
In The Ground
If you are growing your Queen Elizabeth roses in-ground, follow these specific tips for a successful, healthy plant:
- Space your rose plants at least 3 feet in between one another.
Properly spacing your roses comes with many benefits.
First, it allows the root system of each individual plant to grow to its full potential, which results in stronger plants overall.
Secondly, it promotes more air circulation in between the plants, which helps reduce the (albeit low) odds of mildew.
- When planting your Queen Elizabeth roses, make the necessary amount of holes, spaced three feet apart. The hole should be as deep as the root ball itself.
Gently loosen up the root ball with your hands and place it into the hole.
The base of the plant should be leveled with the soil.
When you are satisfied with how your plant looks, fill in the remainder of the hole and give your plants a deep watering to reduce transplant shock.
In A Container
Planting Queen Elizabeth roses in a container is not much different from planting your roses in-ground, though there are some specifications that gardeners should keep in mind.
Drainage is an absolute necessity when it comes to container-grown plants.
- First and most importantly, make sure that the container that you are planting your roses in has drainage holes.
There should be several unobstructed drainage holes at the bottom of the container.
- Secondly, the soil you plant your roses in should be abundant in well-draining materials.
Amendments such as sand, perlite, or bark are extremely helpful in increasing the rate of drainage in your plant’s soil.
Why is drainage so important in a container plant? A well-draining soil combined with drainage holes allows for excess moisture to escape from the plant pot, which makes the soil comfortably moist, but not waterlogged.
When a soil lacks drainage, it is an invitation for unnecessary water to become trapped within the roots of the plant.
This trapped still water can eventually develop harmful fungi or bacteria, which are deadly for plants.
When planting your Queen Elizabeth roses in a container:
- Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the root ball. The base of the plant should align with the edge of the container.
- Fill the remainder of the container with soil and lightly press the soil to secure the rose bush in place.
- Moisten the soil to prevent transplant shock and help your plant establish itself easier.
FAQS
Will Queen Elizabeth Rose Grow In The Shade?
This particular rose variety grows best under full sunlight conditions.
We do not recommend growing your Queen Elizabeth roses in the shade.
Providing your roses with at least 6 hours worth of sunlight per day is one of the key elements in producing a tall, healthy rose plant that produces full blooms.
Are Queen Elizabeth Roses Climbers?
No, and yes.
While the standard Queen Elizabeth rose cultivar is not a climbing rose, there is a hybrid of the Queen Elizabeth aptly named the ‘Climbing Queen Elizabeth,’ which was introduced a few years after the original in 1957.
That specific cultivar is a climbing rose, so if you are seeking a Climbing Queen Elizabeth, it is important to double-check with your rose breeder to avoid any confusion.
Conclusion
The Queen Elizabeth is a fitting rose that is suitable for a powerful and beloved monarch such as Elizabeth II.
Her memory lives in the hearts of everyone, not just in the commonwealth.
This rose is a stunning tribute to the Queen that will last beyond her reign, which is why we highly recommend this low-maintenance yet extremely elegant rose cultivar.
