Queen of Denmark Rose Rosa 'Königin von Dänemark' (A)
ABOUT
The plant commonly known as the 'Queen of Denmark' rose features lush, soft pink blossoms with densely packed petals, creating a sumptuous and classic rosette shape typical of old garden roses. The petals have a silky appearance, with the softest shades of pink at the edges, deepening to a more intense hue towards the center of the flower. The blooms exude a delicate and alluring fragrance that can captivate the senses and add an air of romance to any garden setting. The foliage of the 'Queen of Denmark' rose is a rich, deep green, providing a striking contrast to the light pink flowers. The leaves are typically large, with a slightly glossy finish that catches the sunlight, enhancing the visual appeal of the plant. The combination of the beautiful blooms and the attractive foliage makes this rose a favorite among gardeners seeking to add a touch of vintage elegance to their landscapes. While this description focuses on the appearance of the plant, it's worth noting that the 'Queen of Denmark' rose is also valued for its hardiness and resistance to common rose diseases, characteristics that make it a desirable choice for both experienced and novice gardeners alike.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Queen of Denmark, Königin von Dänemark
Common names
Rosa 'Queen of Denmark', Rosa 'Reine des Danoises'.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as the Queen of Denmark rose is not considered toxic to humans. There is no documented toxicity for ingestion of any part of this rose plant. So, eating the petals or any other parts of this rose typically does not lead to poisoning or adverse health effects in humans.
To pets
The plant commonly known as the Queen of Denmark rose is generally considered non-toxic to pets as well. It is not known to cause poisoning if pets ingest parts of this rose. However, thorns can potentially cause physical injury or mechanical damage if they are chewed or swallowed, leading to issues like punctures or scratches in the mouth, throat, or digestive tract.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
4 feet (1.22 meters)
Spread
3 feet (0.91 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Beautiful Aesthetics: The Queen of Denmark rose is renowned for its attractive pink blooms that enhance garden beauty and add visual appeal.
- Scent: It emits a delightful fragrance, which can create a pleasant atmosphere in gardens and outdoor spaces.
- Pollinator Attraction: The flowers attract bees and other pollinators, which are essential for the pollination of many plants.
- Cultural Symbolism: Roses, in general, have strong cultural and historical significance, symbolizing love, beauty, and often used in various events and celebrations.
- Psychological Benefits: Gardening activities including growing roses like the Queen of Denmark are known to reduce stress and increase feelings of well-being.
- Habitat Enrichment: This rose variety can provide shelter and food for small wildlife within its growth habitat.
- Landscape Versatility: The Queen of Denmark rose can be used in a variety of garden styles including formal gardens, rose gardens, and as a specimen planting.
- Heritage Value: Being an old garden rose, it holds historical significance and can be a conversation starter about gardening history and heirloom plant varieties.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Rosa 'Königin von Dänemark', commonly known as the Alba rose, can be used to make natural dyes for fabric and paper, imparting a range of pink to light red hues.
- The petals are sometimes used in potpourri mixtures for their fragrance and color, often dried and blended with other scented botanicals.
- Alba rose petals can be crystallized with sugar and used as edible decorations for cakes and desserts.
- The essential oil, extracted from its petals, is used in perfumery to create rose-scented perfumes and colognes.
- Dried Alba rose petals can be incorporated into candles to create a delicate rose scent when burned.
- These roses can be used in floral waters or hydrosols for cosmetic purposes, providing a gentle toning effect for the skin.
- Alba rose bushes can be planted as part of a living fence or hedge, providing both privacy and aesthetic appeal.
- Rose flowers can be pressed and used in craft projects, such as handmade paper, bookmarks, and greeting cards.
- Petals of the Alba rose can be used to flavor syrups, jams, or jellies, adding a subtle floral note to culinary creations.
- The rosehips, which are the fruit of the rose plant, can be used to make a tangy tea, rich in vitamin C.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Queen of Denmark rose is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Queen of Denmark rose is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love: The most common symbol associated with roses is love, particularly true and passionate love. The 'Queen of Denmark' rose, with its lush, full blooms, is no exception, representing a regal and enduring love.
- Beauty: This variety of rose, with its stunning and elegant appearance, symbolizes beauty and grace. It honors the aesthetic appeal of both the flower and the sentiment it represents.
- Honor: The name 'Queen of Denmark' itself carries connotations of royalty and dignity, and thus the rose symbolizes honor and reverence.
- Devotion: Roses are often indicative of deep devotion and loyalty in a relationship. The 'Queen of Denmark' rose, with its enduring blooms, underscores this meaning.
- Mystery: As roses have layers of petals that slowly unfold, they are sometimes associated with mystery or with keeping a secret. The dense, intricate petals of this rose can represent complexities and depth of emotion.
- Timelessness: Given its heritage and long-standing cultivation, the 'Queen of Denmark' rose may also symbolize timelessness and tradition, connecting the past with the present.
WaterThe Queen of Denmark rose should be watered deeply once a week during its growing season, ensuring the soil is moistened to a depth of about 18 inches. In hotter, drier periods, more frequent watering may be necessary, such as twice a week. Always avoid wetting the foliage to prevent disease, and aim for the base of the plant. During the winter months, reduce watering as the plant requires less moisture. It's best to provide around 1 to 2 gallons of water per plant for each watering session, adjusting based on rainfall and temperatures.
LightThe Queen of Denmark rose thrives in full sun, requiring a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to perform well. It's best to plant this rose in a location that receives morning light, which helps to dry dew quickly and prevent disease. Avoid overly shaded spots as insufficient light can lead to poor flowering and weak growth.
TemperatureThe Queen of Denmark rose does well within a broad range of temperatures, being hardy down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit and able to tolerate summer highs of up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal growing temperature for this rose is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth and flowering.
PruningPrune the Queen of Denmark rose in late winter or early spring, removing dead or diseased wood and thinning out crowded branches to improve air circulation. Pruning helps maintain the shape of the plant, encourages new growth and better flowering. It's recommended to deadhead spent blooms throughout the growing season to promote continuous blooming.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for the Queen of Denmark Rose is well-draining loam with organic matter. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingThe Queen of Denmark Rose, being a hardy shrub, does not typically require repotting as it is usually planted directly into the ground.
Humidity & MistingThe Queen of Denmark Rose thrives best in average outdoor humidity levels.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Not ideal for indoor growth; needs full sun.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, water regularly.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life of the 'Queen of Denmark' rose, commonly known as Rosa 'Königin von Dänemark', begins with seed germination, where the seeds require a period of cold stratification to break dormancy. Following germination, the seedling stage is marked by the emergence of the first true leaves and the formation of a root system. As it matures, the rose enters the vegetative growth phase, developing stems, leaves, and a robust root system that prepares it for flowering. The plant then enters the flowering stage, usually in late spring or early summer, producing fragrant, lush pink blooms that are characteristic of the 'Queen of Denmark' cultivar. After pollination, the flowers develop into rose hips, which contain the seeds, completing the plant's reproductive cycle. The rose is a perennial, so after the flowering season, it will enter a dormancy period during the winter, preparing to repeat the cycle in the following year.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
Propogation: The Queen of Denmark rose, also known by its botanical name Rosa 'Königin von Dänemark', is most commonly propagated through a method called budding, which is typically carried out in late summer. This technique involves taking a bud from the rose and grafting it onto the rootstock of a different rose plant. To perform budding, a T-shaped cut is made in the rootstock's bark, and a bud, which is removed from the donor plant with a sliver of bark attached, is inserted into the cut. The bud is then secured in place using a special budding tape or raffia. As the bud establishes and starts to grow, usually by the next season, the tape is removed, and the new plant will eventually develop the characteristics of the Queen of Denmark rose.
