Great Expectations Rose Rosa Great Expectations = 'Mackalves' (PBR) (F)
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ABOUT
Rosa Great Expectations, commonly known as a type of rose, is a plant with a visually appealing aesthetic. The plant is adorned with flowers that exhibit a stunning blend of colors. They often start off with a creamy white hue towards the base and subtly blend into a pinkish tone at the edges, reminiscent of a soft sunrise. The petals are traditionally full and usually layered, giving the blossoms a lush and voluminous appearance. The foliage of the Rosa Great Expectations is equally attractive, with leaves that have a glossy texture and a vibrant green color. These leaves form a lush backdrop to the flowers, creating a striking contrast that makes the blooms stand out even more. As a rose, the plant commonly bears thorns along its branches, which are a natural part of the plant's defense mechanism. The flowers are typically accompanied by a pleasant fragrance, which adds another layer of sensory experience to the plant's appeal. This attractive scent not only draws humans but also serves to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, adding to the plant's charm and ecological benefits. Roses from the Rosa Great Expectations variety are often cherished in gardens for their ornamental beauty and delightful aroma.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae.
Synonyms
Great Expectations Rose.
Common names
Rosa 'Mackalves' (PBR) (F)
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as rose (Rosa 'Great Expectations') is not considered toxic to humans. Roses are generally safe and do not typically cause poisoning when touched or ingested. However, roses have thorns that can cause physical injury if not handled properly. It is always advisable to wear gloves while handling or pruning roses to prevent thorn pricks, which can lead to infections or allergic reactions in some individuals.
To pets
Roses, including the variety known as Rosa 'Great Expectations', are not toxic to pets. They are generally considered safe for pets to be around, and ingestion of rose petals or leaves typically does not lead to poisoning. However, similar to the precaution for humans, the thorns on roses can cause injuries to pets. If a pet chews on the stems, they might get poked by the thorns, which can be painful and potentially lead to puncture wounds or infections. It's important to monitor pets around roses to ensure they do not hurt themselves on the thorns.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
3 feet [0.91 meters]
Spread
3 feet [0.91 meters]
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Enhanced Aesthetics: The rose 'Great Expectations' adds beauty to gardens with its eye-catching blooms.
- Emotional Well-being: Gardening with roses can provide stress relief and promote a sense of achievement.
- Eco-Friendly: This rose variety, like many others, can contribute to local biodiversity by providing food and shelter for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Landscaping Versatility: Roses are versatile in landscape design, suitable for use in borders, as specimen plants, or in mass plantings.
- Fragrance: The rose 'Great Expectations' may add a pleasant fragrance to the garden, which can enhance the outdoor experience.
- Adaptability: This variety has been cultivated to be hardy and adaptable to various garden conditions.
- Seasonal Interest: This rose provides seasonal interest with its flowering period, adding color to the garden during bloom times.
- Social Interaction: Sharing rose growing experiences with others can lead to increased social interactions and community building.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Culinary garnish: Petals from the rose can be used to add a touch of elegance to salads and desserts.
- Natural dye: The colorful petals of the rose can be used to dye fabrics or paper, adding a unique, organic hue to the material.
- Floral water: Rosewater made from the petals can be used as a natural fragrance for homemade cosmetics or room fresheners.
- Art supplies: Crushed rose petals can be incorporated into homemade paper or used in potpourri mixtures for their color and scent.
- Symbolic gift: Roses can represent a range of emotions and messages, making them ideal for creating personalized and symbolic gifts.
- Educational tool: Roses can be used in schools to teach students about botany, plant reproduction, and the lifecycle of plants.
- Photography subject: The rose's unique beauty makes it a popular subject for photographers looking to capture natural elegance.
- Soil health indicator: The health of rose plants can indicate the overall condition of garden soil, helping to identify nutrient deficiencies.
- Stress relief: Spending time tending to rose gardens can provide a sense of calm and reduce stress for some individuals.
- Craft material: Dried roses can be used in various crafts, such as creating homemade jewelry, bookmarks, or candle embeds.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe rose is often used in Feng Shui to promote love, healing, and luck. By placing a rose bush in the southwest area of a garden or room, you can enhance romantic relationships and encourage love to flourish. Additionally, due to its thorns, roses can be used in protective Feng Shui applications to create a barrier against negative energy entering a space.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe rose is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love: As a member of the rose family, the Rosa Great Expectations commonly symbolizes love and affection, reflecting the deep association roses have with romantic gestures.
- Beauty: Roses are widely recognized for their beauty, with the Great Expectations variety offering an especially striking appearance, representing admiration for physical and inner beauty.
- Expectation: The name "Great Expectations" itself can symbolize a sense of anticipation for the future or the blossoming of new endeavors in a person's life.
- Mystery: With its unique and intricate blooms, this rose might also come to symbolize the mystery and complexity of emotions or relationships.
- Balance: The balance between the rose's thorns and its delicate flowers can represent the duality of human experience, mixing both hardship and beauty.
WaterFor the Great Expectations rose, ensure consistent soil moisture by watering deeply once a week, providing 1-2 gallons of water per plant. During hot, dry spells, increase to twice a week. Use a slow, deep watering method to encourage deep root growth and prevent water waste. Adjust your watering schedule based on rainfall and check the soil moisture level regularly—avoid letting it become overly dry or waterlogged.
LightThe Great Expectations rose thrives in full sunlight, needing a minimum of 6 hours of direct light per day to perform optimally. A spot with morning sun and some afternoon shade is beneficial in extremely hot climates to protect from scorching. Avoid deep shade as it can hinder blooming and make the rose more susceptible to disease.
TemperatureThe Great Expectations rose is hardy and prefers temperatures ranging between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. It can survive winter temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit but may need protection from harsh frosts. In the heat of summer, consistent watering is crucial to maintain health if temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
PruningPrune the Great Expectations rose in late winter or early spring, when the plant is dormant, to remove dead or weak growth and shape the bush. Pruning encourages healthy new growth, increased air circulation, and improved flower production. Snip just above outward-facing buds to direct growth outward and ensure open, vase-like structure. Deadheading spent blooms throughout the season will promote continuous flowering.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Rosa 'Great Expectations' prefers well-draining, fertile loam with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. An ideal soil mix would include equal parts garden soil, compost, and coarse sand. Amend the soil with organic matter annually to maintain fertility and structure.
RepottingThe Rosa 'Great Expectations', commonly known as a rose bush, doesn't typically require repotting as it's grown outdoors. Instead of repotting, the focus should be on renewing the soil every couple of years by adding fresh compost and organic materials.
Humidity & MistingRoses thrive in moderate humidity levels, with Rosa 'Great Expectations' being no exception. This rose bush prefers outdoor conditions with natural airflow, avoiding overly dry or excessively humid environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light, cool temperatures, and good air flow.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, water regularly.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of the Rosa 'Great Expectations' begins with seed germination, where the seeds require a period of cold stratification to break dormancy. Following germination, the seedling grows and develops into a young plant with a set of true leaves, which then matures into a bush with stems, leaves, and thorns. As it reaches maturity, the Rosa 'Great Expectations' enters the flowering stage, producing fragrant blooms that may attract pollinators and are typically pink or apricot in color. After pollination, roses form hips (seed pods) which contain seeds for reproduction, completing the cycle. In cultivation, this variety is often propagated vegetatively through cuttings or grafting to maintain its unique characteristics, bypassing the seed stage. The plant enters a period of dormancy during the colder months, shedding leaves and conserving energy until the next growth cycle begins in the spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-early summer
Rosa Great Expectations, commonly known as a type of rose, is typically propagated through a method called softwood cuttings. This technique is often undertaken during late spring or early summer when the plant's new stems are still flexible but starting to mature. Gardeners select healthy, non-flowering shoots and cut a segment approximately 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long. The cut is made just below a node, and the lower leaves are removed to expose a section of stem that will be inserted into the rooting medium. To encourage root growth, the base of the cutting is often treated with a rooting hormone before it is placed in a mix of well-draining soil, such as a combination of peat and perlite. The cuttings are then kept in a warm and humid environment, under indirect light, until they develop roots and can be transplanted to a permanent location.
