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Rosa 'Rose de Rescht'
Rose de Rescht
Ancient garden origin (likely from Iran—the cultivar epithet records the city of Rasht or Rescht on the Caspian coast; reintroduced to Western commercial cultivation by Nancy Lindsay in the 1940s; classified as a Portland or Damask rose; runs the most compact old garden roses in commercial cultivation; deep fuchsia-magenta rosette flowers; very strong damask fragrance; zone 4 cold hardiness)
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Overview
Rosa 'Rose de Rescht' is a deciduous shrub rose reaching 2–4 feet (0.6–1.2 m) tall with a spread of 2–3 feet (0.6–0.9 m) and a very compact dense bushy habit. The cultivar runs the most compact old garden roses in commercial cultivation. A Portland or Damask rose of uncertain ancient origin (the cultivar epithet records the city of Rasht or Rescht on the Caspian coast of Iran, which is consistent with the reintroduction route through Nancy Lindsay in the 1940s), the cultivar opens small very double tightly packed rosette-form flowers 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm) wide in deep fuchsia-pink to magenta-crimson coloration—the intensely saturated dark pink separates the cultivar from the clearer pink tones of most old garden roses. Bloom runs June through frost across the full growing season, which places the cultivar with the most reliably repeat-blooming old garden roses in commercial cultivation alongside 'Marchesa Boccella'. Medium green slightly rough-textured leaves run dense on compact stems. Growth rate runs slow. Hardy to zone 4. Very strong old-rose and damask fragrance carries through the bloom window, which places the cultivar with the most fragrant roses in commercial cultivation. The combination of extreme compact mature stature at 2–4 feet, strong fragrance, and reliable repeat bloom suits the cultivar to small-scale garden positions and container cultivation where larger old garden roses cannot fit.
Native Range
Rosa 'Rose de Rescht' is of ancient garden origin, likely from Iran. The cultivar epithet records Rasht (historically spelled Rescht in Western sources) on the Caspian coast of northern Iran, which is consistent with the reintroduction route by Nancy Lindsay through her plant-collecting work in Iran during the 1940s. The cultivar belongs to the Portland or Damask rose class and carries the repeat-blooming character that distinguished Portland roses from the once-blooming Gallicas and Damasks that dominated pre-19th-century European rose cultivation.Suggested Uses
Planted in mixed borders, cottage gardens, container compositions, or heritage rose collections at 2–3 foot (0.6–0.9 m) spacing in zone-4-and-warmer gardens. The cultivar runs the most compact old garden roses in commercial cultivation, which suits the cultivar to small-scale garden positions and container cultivation where larger old garden roses cannot fit their mature form. Deep fuchsia-magenta rosette flowers carry the June-through-frost bloom display across the full growing season. Very strong damask fragrance places the cultivar with the most fragrant roses in commercial cultivation and supplies the garden contribution beyond the visual flower display. Likely Iranian ancient origin through Nancy Lindsay's 1940s reintroduction supplies a heritage-rose narrative element. Zone 4 cold hardiness extends the cultivar to the coldest regional climates in commercial rose cultivation. Container cultivation requires a minimum 3-gallon pot. Slow growth rate. Large-scale landscape installations where fast establishment is wanted run poor fits for the cultivar.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 4'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Small very double tightly packed rosette-form flowers 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm) wide open in deep fuchsia-pink to magenta-crimson coloration from June through frost across the full growing season. Reliable repeat-blooming character runs across the bloom window. A very strong old-rose and damask fragrance carries through the bloom window and places the cultivar with the most fragrant roses in commercial cultivation.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Deep fuchsia-pink to magenta-crimson; very double tightly packed rosette form 2-2.5 inches wide; repeat bloom June through frost; carries a very strong old-rose and damask fragranceFoliage Description
Medium green; slightly rough leaf surface texture; dense leaf carriage on compact stems; deciduousGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Full sun in well-drained fertile soil (pH 6.0–7.0) matches the cultivar's cultivation needs. Hardy to zone 4 (−30°F / −34°C). The very compact mature stature at 2–4 feet suits the cultivar to small border positions and container cultivation where larger old garden roses cannot fit their mature scale. Deadheading runs important for continuous repeat bloom because spent-flower removal directs energy into fresh bud production rather than hip development. Disease resistance runs moderate. Regular feeding through the growing season supports the 20-week bloom window.Pruning
Pruning runs in late winter to early spring as a light intervention only because the compact dense mature habit develops naturally without substantial shaping work. The oldest one-third of stems are removed at the base annually to direct energy into younger productive wood. Deadheading runs through the growing season to maintain continuous repeat bloom.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
moderateContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons