'Old Blush' is a rose cultivated in China for centuries and was introduced to Europe in 1752. It is in the rose family (Rosaceae). It has an arching form that grows to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. It does best in full sun to partial shade in fertile to average well-drained garden soil. Prune in late winter to remove dead or diseased canes and prune the remaining canes by 1/3 to control size and encourage bushiness. Avoid overcrowding and overhead watering to help prevent diseases. The pink semi-double blooms are mildly fragrant and occur freely throughout the season. In warmer climates, it can bloom into winter. The old flowers drop off to make way for new ones. It is a tough shrub that is easy to grow and nearly prickle-free. Use this shrub in the border or as a specimen in a cottage or English garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Disease-resistant. Watch for b lack spot, powdery mildew and rust can occur. See pests of roses to the left. Deer will browse roses. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 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.
Fills a similar nicheLonicera x heckrottiiRosa 'Belle Poitevine'Rosa Many Happy Returns 'HARwanted'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Rose
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Glossy green compound leaves
Flower color
Gray/Silver; Pink
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
2-3 inch silvery-pink flowers darken as they age and bloom in clusters of 5. They are semi-double and freely bloom from summer to frost.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Orange; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Small red to orange rose hips
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
almost prickle free
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Drupe
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Vertical Spaces
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; English Garden
Design feature
Border; Screen/Privacy; Small groups; Specimen
Garden tags
#thornless #English garden #long bloom time #easy to grow #partial shade tolerant #climber #specimen #full sun tolerant #pink flowers #shrub rose #arching #fragrant flowers #cottage garden