China Rose (Rosa chinensis) - Garden Center Point (2024)

Rosa chinensis is the common name for a deciduous shrub belonging to the species of a flowering plant, Rose. The plant is found mainly in southwest China across Guizhou, Hubei and Sichuan provinces. Wide varieties of rosa chinensis are grown in gardens and are popular, because of their bright, red or pink-coloured flowers.

I. Appearance and Characteristics

Rosa chinensis (Chinese: 月季; pinyin: yuèjì), known commonly as the China rose, Chinese rose, or Bengal rose, is a member of the genus Rosa native to Southwest China in Guizhou, Hubei, and Sichuan Provinces.

It is a shrub that reaches 1–2 m and grows in hedges or forms thickets. The leaves are pinnate, have 3–5 leaflets, each 2.5–6 cm long and 1–3 cm broad. In the wild species (sometimes listed as Rosa chinensis var. spontanea), the flowers have five pink to red petals. The fruit is a red hip one to two cm in diameter. The strong branches have a smooth purplish-brown bark, and there may be many to no curved, stocky, flat spines.

The alternately-arranged leaves, 12 to 27 cm long, are pinnately divided. The petiole and the rachis are sparsely spiny, with glandular hairs. The leaf blades usually have three or five or, rarely, seven leaflets, 2.5 to 6 centimeters in length, with a width of 1 to 3 centimeters, ovate or ovate-oblong with a weak-rounded or broad and wedge-shaped base, a more-or-less long, tapered apex and sharply toothed edge. The upper surface is shiny and dark green.

n China, the flowering time of R. chinensis ranges from April to September. Rarely, the flowers are solitary; usually appearing in groups of four or five. The 2.5 to 6 cm long pedicel has variable hairiness. The one to three naked bracts are linear, with a pointed apex and a smooth or glandular margin. The flowers have a mild fragrance.

The hermaphrodite flowers have radial symmetry, with a diameter of four to five cm, and may be double. There are cultivated forms with simple to more or less strongly double flowers, which are also wild in China and nearby areas of temperate latitudes. The bald flower cup is egg-shaped, spherical or pear-shaped. The early-dropping sepals are ovate or sometimes leaf-like, simple or lobed, cupped towards the apex. The five to several or many petals are white-over-pink to red or purple, obovate with a wedge-shaped base and a rounded apex. There are many stamens. The free, hairy style is almost as long as the stamens. In China, the fruits ripen from June to November, turning red. They are egg-shaped to pear-shaped, with a diameter of one to two centimeters.

Various forms of Rosa chinensis have been cultivated in gardens in China for a long time; therefore, it is not easy to distinguish between wild forms and cultivated forms. Many varieties of garden roses have been bred from Rosa chinensis. The species is extensively cultivated as an ornamental plant, and numerous cultivars have been selected, which are known as the China roses. It has also been extensively interbred with Rosa gigantea to produce Rosa × odorata and by further hybridization the tea roses and hybrid tea roses, and is the source of summer-blooming varieties and those with continuous flowering.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Rosa chinensis plants thrive in full sun but can tolerate filtered shade. For the best growing results and bloom, choose a location with at least 6 hours of sunlight.

Temperature and Humidity

This hardy rose variety can be grown in zones 6 to 9, and is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures. Temperatures dipping below 40 or reaching above 90 degrees Fahrenheit will cause this rose to go dormant. As for humidity, it does well in moderate humidity levels. If humidity is too high, the flower petals may stick together. High humidity levels can also lead to moisture-related diseases.

Watering

China rose favors moist but not water-logged conditions, so it’s important to keep the soil well-drained whether it’s planted in the ground or potted. When growing outdoors, it can be watered when the soil surface is slightly dry (except for in winter) with no fixed watering frequency. Keep the soil moist, as drought will reduce the number of flowers.

In drought, the plant needs to be watered every 2-3 days. Pay attention to drainage and avoid water-logging during the rainy season. Winter is its dormant period, so it’s okay to stop watering then. The plant is not tolerant of water-logging; its roots easily rot. Avoid water accumulation when watering, and also avoid splashing water onto the leaves to prevent disease.

Potted china rose can be watered every 2 days during the growing season except for winter. Only water the plant when the soil surface is slightly dry. In high-temperature seasons, the evaporation of water increases, and the plant is in a weak and semi-dormant period. To prevent it from drying out, water it twice a day in the morning and at night. Additionally, avoid too much exposure to sunlight.

It’s recommended to water potted plants until excess water seeps out from the bottom of the container. Remember to drain the standing water, or place a saucer with pebbles under the pot to allow excess water to flow out easily. During the dormancy period in winter, it should be watered less often. Only water often enough to prevent the soil from becoming extremely dry. China rose needs to be watered more from budding to flowering, and the amount and frequency of watering should be reduced after flowering.

Soil

These roses prefer loamy, sandy, well-draining soil that stays consistently moist. However, they are tolerant of many garden soil conditions and can be grown even in heavy soils, as long as water drains away. They do not tolerate soggy, wet soil. Neutral pH levels of 6.0 to 6.9 are ideal, although this rose variety can also be grown in soil that is slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.

Fertilizing

China rose favors fertile soil, so it’s best to apply fertilizer several times during the growing season, but only in small amounts each time. In the spring and summer, you can use liquid fertilizer twice a month and use slow-release fertilizer every two months. Add more nutrients for more lush plants and flowers. A slow-release organic fertilizer can be used in winter so the new shoots and buds in next year’s bloom will be lush; these flowers will be large and gorgeous.

If china rose is to be used for fresh-cut flowers, fertilize them 1-2 times a week during the fluorescence. Pay attention to the cultivation of branches with flowers. Cut off flower buds from weak branches of the plant to concentrate nutrients in the stronger ones. Additionally, a sprinkling of Mycorrhizal fungi (which is also sold as Root Grow) at the base of the plant will allow the beneficial fungi to form a symbiotic relationship with the root system, helping it to absorb nutrients and water.

Planting Instructions

If planting potted china rose in your garden, it’s best to find a suitable site with adequate sunlight, fertile soil, good drainage, and preferably a place that hasn’t been planted with any roses before. A field that previously grew roses may increase the probability of infection. Transplanting can be done in all seasons except winter.

First, dig a pit that is twice as big as the flower pot. Add a small amount of base fertilizer to the pit, and place the root system or root ball into the pit so that the root crown (where the aboveground part and the underground part connect) is at or slightly higher than the surface of the soil. Backfill and slowly compact the soil. A layer of organic mulch can be used to cover the soil surface for heat preservation of roots and also reduce the growth of weeds. Water thoroughly after transplanting and water often in the first week to avoid wilting caused by a lack of water.

If transplanting china rose from one part of the garden to another, do it in fall to avoid the cold of winter. Water the plants three days before transplanting; this makes it easy to dig up and retain the root balls. Then, trim off the overlong branches and excessive leaves, leaving 3-4 branches per plant to reduce excessive consumption of nutrients and ensure its survival. Prune any unhealthy roots left after being dug up.

If a bare-root rose cannot be immediately planted after purchase, it can simply be placed into a pit and covered with soil. If it has already gone without water for some time, it’s better to soak its roots in water for half an hour before planting to help it recover. It is recommended to plant bare-root roses in gardens in the fall.

Pruning

Proper annual pruning of a rose bush is necessary for healthy, full growth. This is best done in the late winter or early spring. For roses kept as vines, keep the main branches long and prune away other branches to allow for proper airflow. For bushes, trim away any crossing branches or areas that are dying. Then prune the bush back to about one-third of its size.

Propagation

China rose can be propagated by grafting. Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) is often used as rootstock for grafting. Generally, grafting is carried out from the end of summer to the beginning of autumn, and the grafting part is as close to the ground as possible. Cut a T-shaped cut on the outer skin of the rootstock with a knife on one side of the stem and branch, then select a bud from the middle of a well-developed branch in the same year, cut the bud with bark, insert it into the T-shaped cut, bind it with plastic film, and place it in proper shade. It can usually be untied 15 days after grafting, and will germinate and survive after 30 days.

You can also select a branch that has not yet developed a leaf bud as a scion if the thickness of the scion is more similar to that of the rootstock. Cut a 2 cm deep cut on the rootstock longitudinally, insert the scion into the cut, and then fasten it with plastic film. The incision will heal after about 10 days.

China rose can also propagate by division. It can be planted deeper and filled with soil to the roots so that new roots can grow at the bottom of each branch. In the early spring or late autumn, the whole plant can be dug out with soil to be divided into ramets. Select a stem with 1-2 branches and some fibrous roots, and then separate it from the whole plant and plant it in a basin or garden. At the same time, prune the branches on the ground to reduce the evaporation of water and improve the survival rate of transplanting.

Cutting propagation, another useful way to propagate china rose, is generally carried out in spring and autumn. Branches with 3-4 buds can be cut off to use. The substrate for cutting can be a mix of river sand, rice chaff ash, or vermiculite, etc. Insert the branches into the substrate, shade it properly, and spray to maintain humidity. The branches will take root 20-30 days after cutting, and the survival rate is 70-80%. If the branches are dipped in rooting powder and then inserted into the substrate, the survival rate will be higher. Additionally, the cuttings can be immersed in water for cutting; the cutting temperature is 20 to 25 ℃, and new roots will grow after 20 days.

Potting and Repotting

Rosa chinensis does well in the ground, but can also be grown in pots. Be sure to select a large pot to allow the root system to branch out and thrive. One with adequate drainage holes is also very important, as these roses cannot tolerate soggy soil.

If the rose bush outgrows its container, it is best to repot in the early spring or late fall while the plant is dormant. Wearing protective gloves, tilt the pot on its side and tap it to loosen the root structure. Slide the rose out and plant it in a larger pot with fresh soil.

Overwintering

For areas where frost occurs in the winter months, it is best to protect Rosa chinensis to prevent damage. Wrap the bush in horticultural fleece. Alternatively, create a collar around the trunk with fencing, then fill the space with leaves or straw to create a layer of insulation. Add a layer of mulch on the ground to help insulate the roots.

Pests and Diseases

Rosa chinensis may present the gardener with problems if the growing conditions are not ideal. Here are some common problems you may encounter.

No Blooms

A rose bush that is not flowering is signaling conditions inadequate for flower production. For Rosa chinensis this happens when the plant is not receiving enough light. Try moving it to an area that gets more sun daily. If the plant is receiving sun but is still not blooming, it could be due to nutrient deficiency. A monthly application of fertilizer during the growing season can correct this problem.

Yellowing Leaves

Rosa chinensis foliage can turn yellow for multiple reasons. If the foliage is yellow and dry, the leaves could be getting burned by too much direct sunlight. Potted rose bushes can simply be moved to areas where there’s less direct sunlight, while in-ground rose bushes may require a shade cloth.

If the leaves are yellow and limp and the soil is excessively moist, this is a sign the rose is receiving too much water. Cut back on water and loosen the soil to help the water drain through. Add sand or another fast-draining material to increase drainage.

Lastly, yellowing foliage could be caused by too much fertilizer. If this is the case, rinse the soil thoroughly to remove excess fertilizer and withhold fertilizer until the plant recovers. If there is a large buildup of fertilizer, you may need to replant in fresh soil.

III. Uses and Benefits

• Medicinal uses

China rose flowers and to some extent, the plant’s leaves and roots, are used for medicinal benefits. The flower buds help improve blood circulation and ease stomach pains and swellings in the body. The plants’ leaves, fruits and roots are used in treating conditions such as arthritis, boils and coughs. The seeds are a source of Vitamin E.

• Culinary uses

The flower buds, flowers and shoot tips of the plants are eaten as potherbs or served in soups. The fruit is consumed raw or cooked. However, only a thin layer of flesh surrounds the seeds. Seed hair must be removed before consuming the fruit to avoid irritation in the mouth and digestive tract. The seeds are grinded and mixed with flour or used in other food items as a supplement.

• Ornamental uses

The plant produces semi-double or double flowers in red, pink, white or purple. Gardeners prefer this plant due to its attractive flowers and pleasant fragrance. Hence, the China rose plant is widely popular and used in landscaping as an ornamental garden plant.

IV. Harvesting and Storage

China rose produces excellent fresh flowers that can be pruned with sharp scissors as soon as they bloom. It is best to pick flowers in the morning to avoid loss of water through plant transpiration at noon. After picking, it is necessary to trim the base of the branch at a 45° angle to increase the water absorption area. Quickly put the flower into a vase with clean water to avoid water loss.