A landscape floribunda producing arching sprays of soft pink double blooms over a long season, followed by orange hips. The first rose inducted into the Rose Hall of Fame for shrub roses, tough and almost care-free.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 1 m H × 1.2 m W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: regular, moderate watering
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Exotic
About Bonica Rose
Botanically, Rosa 'Bonica' is a fast-growing shrub in the Rosaceae family. It reaches around 1 m tall and 1.2 m wide at maturity, with deciduous foliage. Pink flowers appear for much of the year.
Where to grow Bonica Rose
Bonica Rose suits warm-temperate, cool-temperate and Mediterranean climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also is an award-winning selection.
Soil & planting
Bonica Rose does best in free-draining, loamy and clay soil. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool. For a screen, space plants about 72 cm apart.
Watering & feeding
Bonica Rose does best with regular, moderate watering. Refresh mulch and provide a modest balanced feed at the start of spring. Check moisture below the mulch during establishment and water thoroughly when needed rather than following a rigid schedule.
Pruning & care
Prune Bonica Rose after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. It clips well, so trim two or three times a year for a formal finish. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Bonica Rose in the garden
Bonica Rose earns its place for a feature or specimen planting, a fast screen or informal hedge and feeding bees and pollinators.
Companion planting & design
Combine Bonica Rose with plants that share its preference for regular, moderate watering and warm-temperate climate. Use an odd-numbered group where space allows, or repeat it at intervals through a longer bed.
Good to know
It is thorny — useful as a barrier, but wear gloves when pruning.
Buying Bonica Rose
Plant Sale lists Bonica Rose as potted plants and bare-root stock. Current stock is confirmed manually, so register interest above before planning around a specific size.
