Rose 'Gruss an Aachen' Rosa 'Gruss an Aachen' (Poly)
ABOUT
'Gruss an Aachen' is a small, bushy, polyantha rose to 45cm with dark green, glossy foliage and trusses of fragrant, blush-pink, fully double, rosette-shaped flowers from summer to autumn
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae.
Synonyms
Gruss an Aachen Rose, Greeting to Aachen.
Common names
Rosa 'Gruss an Aachen'
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
Cultivated
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The Rosa 'Gruss an Aachen' adds beauty to gardens with its delicate pastel flowers that can enhance the visual appeal of any landscape.
- Fragrance: This rose is known for its pleasant fragrance, which can contribute to a garden's sensory experience.
- Pollinator Attraction: The flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting biodiversity and the health of the surrounding ecosystem.
- Versatility: It can be used in various garden designs, including borders, flower beds, and as a specimen plant.
- Ease of Growth: Rosa 'Gruss an Aachen' is recognized for being relatively hardy and easier to grow than some other rose varieties.
- Continual Blooming: This plant typically offers a long blooming season, providing color and interest throughout much of the growing season.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms are excellent for cutting and using in floral arrangements inside the 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- Cut flowers: Roses like the Gruss an Aachen are highly appreciated for their beauty and fragrance, making them excellent choices for cut flower arrangements inside homes and at various events.
- Garden borders: With its compact growth habit, the Gruss an Aachen rose can be used to create elegant borders in garden designs to separate different areas or line walkways.
- Artistic inspiration: The delicate colors and form of the Gruss an Aachen roses can serve as inspiration for artists and photographers, often becoming the subject of paintings and photographs.
- Natural dye: Petals of the Gruss an Aachen rose can be used to create natural dyes for textiles, yielding various shades of pink depending on the mordant used.
- Educational tool: This rose can be used in horticultural programs to teach grafting techniques, rose care, and breeding practices to students and gardening enthusiasts.
- Potpourri: Dried petals of the Gruss an Aachen can be included in homemade potpourri mixtures for a subtle fragrance in drawers or closets.
- Scented crafts: The petals can be incorporated into scented sachets, candles, or soaps, adding a delicate rose scent to handcrafted items.
- Landscape mulch: Fallen petals and leaves from the Gruss an Aachen can be used as mulch in garden beds to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.
- Petal confetti: Bio-degradable and much more environmentally friendly than synthetic versions, the petals of the Gruss an Aachen roses can be used as natural confetti for celebrations like weddings.
- Culinary garnish: Though not a common use, the petals of the Gruss an Aachen, if confirmed untreated with pesticides, can be used to garnish desserts or fancy drinks for an elegant touch.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe rose is often associated with attracting love and creating a romantic atmosphere in Feng Shui. To use it according to Feng Shui, plant roses in the Southwest area of your garden to enhance your love and marital happiness. However, ensure to keep the roses well-maintained; dried or wilted roses can attract negative energy.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe rose is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love: As with many roses, the Rosa 'Gruss an Aachen' symbolizes love and affection, given its classic and elegant bloom.
- Beauty: The exquisite form and color of the flowers are emblematic of both inner and outer beauty, reflecting the rose's traditional association with perfection.
- Grace: The rose's name itself, 'Gruss an Aachen', suggests a greeting or salutation, carrying a connotation of elegance and dignified beauty.
- Honor: Roses have a longstanding association with honor and reverence, making them suitable for occasions that celebrate achievement or express respect.
- Devotion: Often given to represent steadfastness and commitment, the Rosa 'Gruss an Aachen' can be a symbol of unwavering loyalty in a relationship.
- Confidentiality: Harking back to the Latin phrase "sub rosa" (under the rose), the rose can signify secrecy, suggesting that the blooms of 'Gruss an Aachen' keep shared confidences safe.
WaterThe 'Gruss an Aachen' rose, a Floribunda, should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Provide around 1 to 1.5 gallons of water for each plant during each session, ensuring that the water penetrates deeply into the soil to encourage strong root growth. Avoid overhead watering to prevent foliar diseases, and focus on watering the base of the plant instead. During periods of intense heat or drought, you may need to water twice a week. Reduce frequency to every two weeks during the winter months when the plant is dormant.
LightThe 'Gruss an Aachen' rose prefers full sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. Plant it in a location that receives morning sun, which is less intense and helps dry dew off the leaves to prevent diseases. If you live in a region with extremely hot summers, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent scorching.
Temperature'Gruss an Aachen' roses are hardy and can survive in a range of temperatures, but they thrive best when daytime temperatures are between 70°F and 85°F. Minimum winter temperatures should not fall below 20°F, as this can cause damage to the plant. The ideal growing range for these roses is where temperatures consistently stay within the aforementioned range and don’t fluctuate excessively.
PruningPrune the 'Gruss an Aachen' rose to maintain shape, encourage healthy growth, and remove dead or diseased wood. The best time for major pruning is in early spring, just as new growth begins, but after the threat of severe frost has passed. Prune lightly throughout the season to deadhead spent flowers and encourage new blooms. Always use clean, sharp tools to make precise cuts.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Floribunda Rose 'Gruss an Aachen' thrives in well-drained, loamy soil with organic matter mixed in. A best soil mix would include equal parts garden soil, compost, and coarse sand or perlite to ensure good drainage. The ideal pH for this rose should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingFloribunda Roses like 'Gruss an Aachen' are typically not repotted as they are outdoor plants. They can live in the same spot for many years if given proper care.
Humidity & Misting'Gruss an Aachen' Floribunda Rose does not have specific humidity needs but prefers outdoor conditions where natural humidity is present. Excessive humidity can lead to fungal diseases, so ensure good air circulation around the plant.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Needs bright light, frequent water, and rich, well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Plant in sunny spot with well-draining soil; water regularly.
Hardiness zone
6-9 USDA
Life cycleThe 'Gruss an Aachen' rose (Floribunda), starts its life as a seed or more commonly from cuttings, where tissues form roots and shoots under the right conditions. As a young plant, it undergoes vegetative growth, producing leaves and stems, which can take a few weeks to months before it is ready to be transplanted outdoors. The rose reaches maturity after a couple of years, at which point it begins to produce buds that bloom from late spring to fall, showcasing its creamy white to light pink flowers. The 'Gruss an Aachen' is a repeat-flowering rose, going through cycles of budding, flowering, and senescence multiple times throughout the growing season. It then enters a period of dormancy during the winter months, where it conserves energy and slows down growth. As spring returns, the plant exits dormancy, resumes growth, and starts its reproductive cycle anew, continuing this annual cycle throughout its lifespan, which can last several decades in ideal conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method for propagating the Floribunda rose 'Gruss an Aachen' is through softwood cuttings. Cuttings should be taken in late spring or early summer when the plant's new growth is still tender but has begun to harden slightly. A cutting should be about 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) in length and include several sets of leaves. The bottom set of leaves is removed, and the cut end is dipped into a rooting hormone before being placed in a well-draining soil mix. The cutting should be kept moist but not waterlogged, and placed in indirect light. In a few weeks, the cutting will develop roots and can eventually be transplanted outside.
