Rosa 'Queen Elizabeth'
Queen Elizabeth Rose
Of garden origin; no wild distribution
Overview
Rosa 'Queen Elizabeth' is a grandiflora rose introduced in 1954, holding an upright, vase-shaped frame 5-7 feet (1.5-2.1 m) tall and 2.5-3 feet (75-90 cm) wide. Strong, nearly straight canes carry leathery, glossy dark green leaflets and relatively few thorns. The clear pink flowers are double, about 4 inches (10 cm) across with 35-40 high-centered petals, opening singly and in small clusters on long stems. A light tea scent accompanies each bloom. Flowering repeats from late spring through autumn in successive flushes. The upright vigor tends to leave the lower canes bare with age, so the base is often screened by lower plantings. In humid climates the foliage can develop black spot, and prolonged wet spells slow repeat bloom. The plant tolerates a range of garden soils but sets the most flowers in full sun with steady feeding and moisture. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, it withstands summer heat well; in the colder part of that range the canes may suffer winter dieback that is removed at spring pruning. Long, strong stems make the blooms useful for cutting.
Native Range
Rosa 'Queen Elizabeth' is a hybrid of garden origin, raised in California and released in 1954, and it has no wild range. The genus Rosa spp. is native to temperate and subtropical parts of the Northern Hemisphere.Suggested Uses
Used at the back of mixed borders, as a flowering hedge spaced 30 inches (75 cm) apart, and in dedicated rose beds. The long, straight stems supply cut flowers for arrangements. The tall habit also screens fences and utility areas.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height5' - 7'
Width/Spread2'6" - 3'
Bloom Information
Bloom begins in late spring and recurs in flushes into autumn, with a brief pause during peak summer heat in hot regions. Each flower lasts several days, and removing spent blooms speeds the next flush. In zones 8-9 light flowering can extend into November.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Leathery 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, well-drained loam enriched with organic matter, at a pH of 6.0-6.5. Water deeply once or twice weekly through the growing season, keeping foliage dry to limit black spot. Feed with a balanced rose fertilizer in early spring and again after the first flush. A 2-3 inch (5-8 cm) mulch layer conserves moisture and moderates root temperature. In zones 5-6, mounding soil over the graft union before winter guards against cane dieback. Open spacing and morning sun help the foliage dry quickly in humid climates.Pruning
Prune hard in early spring, cutting canes to 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) and removing thin or inward-facing growth to build an open framework. Take out the oldest canes at the base every few years to renew vigor. Deadhead through summer by cutting back to a five-leaflet leaf to draw the next flush.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring