Dorothy Perkins rose Rosa 'Dorothy Perkins' (Ra)
ABOUT
The Dorothy Perkins rose is a charming climber with an abundance of soft, small flowers that typically bear a vibrant pink hue. These blooms appear in clusters, creating a delightful, frothy effect that can turn the branches of the plant into cascades of color during its peak blooming season. Each delicate flower is filled with numerous petals that sometimes show a hint of a lighter shade or white at the base, adding depth and contrast to the overall visual impact. The flowers are slightly fragrant, emitting a sweet and subtle scent that can be appreciated when in close proximity. The foliage of the Dorothy Perkins rose is lush and dense, with leaves that are deep green, glossy, and have a leathery texture. These leaves form an attractive backdrop that highlights the vibrant pink of the flowers. Stems are often long and can be trained to climb over arches, trellises, or fences, enabling the plant to lend a romantic, old-world charm to any garden setting. The overall appearance of the Dorothy Perkins rose is one of classic beauty, with a profuse flowering habit that can create striking visual interest in any landscape where it is allowed to flourish.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae.
Synonyms
Dorothy Perkins Rose, Excelsa, Climbing Rose.
Common names
Rosa 'Dorothy Perkins'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Dorothy Perkins rose is not considered toxic to humans. However, ingestion of any plant material can potentially cause discomfort or allergic reactions in some individuals. If large quantities of the leaves or flowers were eaten, gastrointestinal upset, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea might occur simply due to the plant matter's non-digestible nature. Generally, roses, including the Dorothy Perkins variety, are safe around humans with no significant toxicity concerns.
To pets
The Dorothy Perkins rose is not known to be toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. It is generally safe in gardens and homes where pets are present. However, as with any non-food plant, ingestion of large amounts of rose leaves, stems, or blooms can lead to mild gastrointestinal distress in some animals, characterized by symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. This is mainly due to the plant's physical properties rather than chemical toxicity. Overall, the Dorothy Perkins rose does not pose a serious risk of poisoning to pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
10 feet (3 meters)
Spread
7 feet (2.1 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Enhanced aesthetic appeal: Dorothy Perkins roses add a visually attractive element to gardens with their clusters of small, pink flowers.
- Landscape versatility: This rose variety can be trained to climb on trellises, arbors, fences, and walls, offering multiple landscaping options.
- Scented garden: Dorothy Perkins roses provide a mild and pleasant fragrance, contributing to a sensory garden experience.
- Pollinator support: Like many roses, they attract bees and other pollinators, which are crucial for the health of your garden ecosystem.
- Long blooming period: The Dorothy Perkins rose has a lengthy flowering season, usually from late spring into early autumn, offering prolonged garden interest.
- Historic cultivar: As an older rose variety, it carries historic significance and can be a feature in a heritage or period-specific garden design.
- Creative uses: The flowers can be used in floral arrangements and the petals for potpourri, adding a personal touch to one's home.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Crafting Natural Dyes: The petals of the Dorothy Perkins rose can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, offering hues ranging from soft pinks to rich mauves depending on the mordant used.
- Floral Water Infusions: The fragrant petals can be infused in water to create subtly scented rosewater for use in homemade perfumes or room fresheners.
- Eco-Friendly Confetti: Dried petals of Dorothy Perkins roses serve as biodegradable confetti for outdoor celebrations, adding a touch of romance without harming the environment.
- Homemade Potpourri: The dried petals can be mixed with other dried flowers and spices to create a natural potpourri that brings a fresh, floral fragrance to a room.
- Gourmet Cuisine Garnishing: Fresh roses can be used to garnish desserts and salads, adding an elegant touch and mild flavor to the dishes (ensure roses are pesticide-free).
- Rose Petal Baths: Petals can be scattered in a warm bath for a luxurious, skin-soothing experience, and can be coupled with essential oils for added aromatherapy benefits.
- Bookmark Crafting: Pressed Dorothy Perkins rose petals can be laminated or embedded in paper to create beautiful, natural bookmarks.
- Natural Fabric Softener: Dried petals can be placed in small pouches and used as a natural fabric softener and fragrance booster in the dryer.
- Petal Ice Cubes: Frozen rose petals inside ice cubes add a visually stunning effect to cocktails and chilled beverages for special occasions.
- Plantable Gifts: Cuttings from the Dorothy Perkins rose can be rooted and given as living, sustainable gifts to friends and family with a passion for gardening.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe climbing rose is often used in Feng Shui for its capacity to elevate the Qi energy upward, particularly in an outdoor garden, which can help enhance aspects of life associated with the specific direction it is placed in according to the Bagua map.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe climbing rose is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love: As with many roses, Dorothy Perkins roses symbolize love, often conveying a sense of romantic affection or deep emotional connection.
- Beauty: The attractive blooms of the Dorothy Perkins rose represent beauty and admiration, often appreciating the aesthetic qualities of a person or situation.
- Femininity: The delicate and ornate nature of the rose's flowers has long been associated with feminine qualities, such as grace, elegance, and gentleness.
- Passion: The intense color of Dorothy Perkins roses can be symbolic of passion and strong emotions, whether in love or other pursuits in life.
- Mystery: Sometimes, the complexities of rose blooms can be emblematic of mysteries or secrets, hinting at depth beyond the surface.
WaterFor the Dorothy Perkins climbing rose, an ideal watering schedule includes deep watering every week during the growing season, ensuring you provide about one to two gallons of water per plant. During hot and dry spells, increase the frequency but avoid overwatering as roses do not like to sit in waterlogged soil. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system to water at the base, avoiding wetting the foliage to help reduce the risk of disease. In winter or during periods of rainfall, reduce watering significantly, but if the ground is dry for an extended period, occasional watering may still be necessary to keep the root zone moist.
LightThe Dorothy Perkins climbing rose thrives in a location where it can receive full sun for at least six hours a day. However, in regions with intensely hot summers, afternoon shade can help protect the blooms from fading or scorching. Choose a spot that is well-lit throughout the day to ensure optimal flower production and vigorous growth.
TemperatureThe Dorothy Perkins climbing rose does well in a wide range of temperatures but prefers a range between 55°F and 85°F for ideal growth. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20°F but may need protection in colder zones. Optimal growth typically occurs when the climate stays within this moderate temperature range.
PruningPrune the Dorothy Perkins climbing rose to remove dead or diseased wood, to shape the plant, and to encourage vigorous growth and flowering. The best time for heavy pruning is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Throughout the blooming season, lightly prune to deadhead spent flowers and encourage further blooming. Every few years, consider more significant pruning to rejuvenate older plants and stimulate new growth from the base.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Dorothy Perkins rose thrives in well-draining, loamy soil enriched with organic matter such as compost or aged manure. The ideal pH for this plant is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. A mixture containing one-third topsoil, one-third garden compost, and one-third coarse sand or perlite would be well-suited for this climbing rose variety.
RepottingThe Dorothy Perkins rose, being a climber, is usually planted directly in the ground and does not require repotting. However, if grown in containers, repotting should be done every 2-3 years to replenish soil nutrients and accommodate root growth.
Humidity & MistingThe Dorothy Perkins rose is adaptable to a wide range of humidity levels but prefers average outdoor conditions. While specific humidity requirements are not critical for this plant, it does well in typical garden environments where the air circulation is good, reducing potential fungal disease occurrences.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, ample airflow, and room to climb for indoor Dorothy Perkins.
Outdoor
Plant in sun, train on structures, water deeply, and ensure good air circulation.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleThe 'Dorothy Perkins' climbing rose begins its life cycle with seed germination, although it is more commonly propagated by cuttings or grafting to ensure the cultivar's characteristics are maintained. Following root establishment, the rose grows rapidly into a vigorous climber, producing long, flexible canes that require support. In spring, the plant breaks dormancy, producing new shoots and leaves. Budding occurs in late spring to early summer, followed by a profuse display of small, pink, ruffled flowers that bloom in clusters. After flowering, the plant may produce rose hips, which contain seeds, though 'Dorothy Perkins' is often sterile or propagated vegetatively. The plant then enters a period of dormancy in the winter, where growth slows down and prepares for the next cycle in spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Rosa 'Dorothy Perkins', commonly known as the Dorothy Perkins climbing rose, is often propagated through a process called softwood cuttings. This is best done in late spring or early summer when the plant's new growth is still flexible but has begun to mature. This popular method involves taking 6 to 8-inch (15 to 20 centimeters) long cuttings from the healthy, non-flowering stems of the rose bush. The leaves on the lower half of the cutting should be removed, and a diagonal cut is made at the base to increase the surface area for rooting. To encourage root growth, the base of the cutting can be dipped in rooting hormone powder before planting it in a pot filled with a well-draining soil mix. The pot should then be placed in a warm, bright area but out of direct sunlight, and the soil should be kept moist until new growth indicates that the cutting has rooted successfully, typically in six to eight weeks.
