'Leda' is an old Damask rose that was bred by an unknown British breeder and released in Australia by Northampton Nurseries in 1861. It is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae). This compact, well-branched shrub will grow 3-6 feet tall and spread 2-3 feet wide. Prune after flowering is completed, as it blooms on old wood. Provide full sun in moist, fertile soil and fertilize in spring and summer. Mulch will help retain moisture. The fully double white flowers are edged in dark red and appear in small clusters in spring to summer. It may occasionally repeat bloom. Stems have prickles. Use this shrub in a container, as a specimen, in small groups in an English or cottage garden. Flowers are good for cutting too. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Good disease resistance but watch for black spot and mildew. See pests of roses to the left. Deer will browse the plant. More information on Rosa .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Multi-stemmed
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Glossy grey-green compound leaves
Flower color
Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Showy
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Fully double white flowers with deep red edges are 3 inches across with a strong scent and 17-25 petals. Blooms once in spring to summer. Clusters of 3-7 flowers.May occasionally repeat bloom.