Rosa 'Mister Lincoln'
Mister Lincoln Rose
Of garden origin; no wild distribution
Overview
Rosa 'Mister Lincoln' is a hybrid tea rose introduced in 1964, forming a tall, upright bush 4.5-6 feet (1.4-1.8 m) high and 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) wide. Strong, nearly straight canes carry matte dark green leaflets and bear one flower to a stem. The dark velvety red blooms are double, about 5 inches (13 cm) across with 30-35 petals in a high-centered form that opens loose and cupped with age. A strong damask fragrance carries well from each flower. Bloom repeats from late spring through autumn in successive flushes. The tall, narrow habit tends to grow bare at the base, and stems can bend under the weight of fully open blooms. In humid climates the foliage is prone to powdery mildew and black spot, which thin the leaf cover by late summer. The plant needs full sun, regular feeding, and steady moisture to hold its repeat bloom. Hardy in USDA zones 6-9, it tolerates summer heat; in zone 5 the canes need winter protection against dieback. The long, straight stems and lasting scent make the blooms useful for cutting.
Native Range
Rosa 'Mister Lincoln' is a hybrid of garden origin, raised in the United States and released in 1964, with no wild range. The genus Rosa spp. is native to temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere.Suggested Uses
Grown in dedicated rose beds and cutting gardens, and along walks where the fragrance is noticed in passing. The long stems supply cut flowers for arrangements. Plants can also grow in containers of 7 gallons (26 L) or larger.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4'6" - 6'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Bloom Information
Bloom opens in late spring and recurs in flushes into autumn. Each flower lasts four to six days, opening high-centered and loosening as it ages, and cutting spent blooms speeds rebloom. Flowering pauses briefly during peak summer heat in hot regions.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Matte dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in full sun in deep, fertile, well-drained loam at a pH of 6.0-6.5. Water deeply two to three times weekly in warm weather, keeping the foliage dry to slow mildew and black spot. Feed with a balanced rose fertilizer at bud break and after each flush. A 2-3 inch (5-8 cm) mulch layer holds moisture and steadies root temperature. In zone 5, mound soil or mulch over the graft union before hard frost. Space plants about 30 inches (75 cm) apart and site them in moving air to help the foliage dry.Pruning
Prune in early spring, cutting canes to 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) above outward-facing buds and removing thin or dead wood. Take out the oldest canes at the base over time to renew the bush. Deadhead through summer to a five-leaflet leaf to sustain repeat bloom.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons