Rose Rosa Old John = 'Dicwillynilly' (F)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

Rosa 'Old John' or 'Dicwillynilly' is a variety of rose with a distinctive appearance. The plant is characterized by its lush, green foliage that serves as a backdrop to its eye-catching flowers. These blooms are typically rich in color, varying from deep pinks to reds, and they may also display blends of these hues, sometimes accentuated with creamy tones or lighter edges that highlight their classically swirled petal arrangement. The flowers themselves are often quite full and rounded, with numerous petals layered in a way that gives them a very traditional rose shape. On closer inspection, one can see the velvety texture of the petals that captures the light and adds a soft, romantic feel to the overall look of the plant. Depending on the variety, there may be a subtle or strong fragrance that wafts from the flowers, typical of many roses, which can further enhance the sensory experience of being near the plant. The stems of this rose plant are sturdy, with a sprinkling of thorns that are typical of rose bushes. These thorns help protect the plant while providing support for the showy blooms. As with all roses, the presence of these thorns is something to be mindful of when handling or pruning. The overall shape of the 'Old John' rose is generally rounded, contributing to its full and lush appearance. It would typically be included in gardens for its ornamental value, as it has the ability to provide a dramatic focal point due to its vivid blooms and pleasant aroma. Its leaves may take on a glossy appearance, contributing to the healthy and vigorous look of the plant.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Rosaceae.
- Synonyms
  Old John Rose, Dicwillynilly Rose
- Common names
  Rosa 'Dicwillynilly'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The plant in question, commonly known as a rose, is generally not considered toxic to humans. Roses do not contain toxins that are harmful when ingested in small quantities. However, the plant parts, especially the thorns, can pose physical hazards. It's important to handle roses carefully to avoid injuries from the thorns. Ingesting large amounts of rose petals or leaves is not recommended, as it could potentially cause gastrointestinal discomfort due to the fibrous plant material.
- To pets
  The rose, which is the common name for this plant, is not typically toxic to pets. Roses do not contain substances that are known to be poisonous to animals such as dogs and cats. However, like with humans, the thorns can cause physical injury. If a pet were to ingest a large amount of roses, they might experience mild gastrointestinal upset. It's always best to prevent pets from consuming non-food plants to avoid any potential issues.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
- Spread
  3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  6-9
- Native area
  Cultivar

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Rosa Old John provides beautiful and intricate flowers that enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Habitat for Wildlife: The plant can serve as a habitat and food source for various insects, including butterflies and bees, which are crucial for pollination.
- Emotional Wellbeing: The flowers can have a positive impact on people's mood and emotional state, often used in gardens and parks to create calming and pleasant environments.
- Social Value: Roses have strong cultural significance and are often used in social events and celebrations, symbolizing love, honor, faith, and beauty.
- Versatility in Landscaping: The plant can be used in different types of garden designs, from formal to cottage-style gardens, due to its varied growth habits and flower forms.
- Erosion Control: When planted in groups or as hedges, roses can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- The petals of the rose can be used to make natural dyes for fabric or paper, providing a range of colors from soft pinks to deep reds depending on the preparation.
- Rosewater made from the petals is traditionally used in cooking, especially in Middle Eastern cuisines, to flavor sweets like baklava or puddings.
- Dried rose petals can serve as a component in potpourri mixes, contributing a pleasant fragrance and aesthetic appeal to the mixture.
- Essential oil derived from roses is utilized in perfumery, aromatherapy, and the creation of scented candles and bath products.
- Rose hips, the fruit of the rose plant, can be used to make herbal teas that have a tangy flavor and are rich in Vitamin C.
- The canes of some rose varieties can be woven into baskets or other artistic forms when they are young and pliable.
- Pressed rose petals are often used in craft projects, such as making bookmarks, greeting cards, or as part of mixed media art pieces.
- Rose petals can be crystallized with sugar and used as edible decorations for cakes, cupcakes, or desserts.
- The petals can also be included in homemade facial toners or scrubs for their soothing and astringent properties.
- Live rose plants can be utilized in landscape design for their ornamental value, creating hedges, borders, or as standalone specimens.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The rose is often associated with inviting love and creating a romantic atmosphere in Feng Shui. To use the rose plant, place it in the Southwest corner of your garden or home, as this is believed to enhance love and marriage prospects. Be sure to maintain the plant well, as healthy, blooming roses can attract positive energy, while wilting or dying roses can symbolize neglected relationships.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The rose is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Love: Roses are universally recognized as a symbol of love, passion, and romance, often associated with deep emotion and the heart.
- Beauty: The rose's natural beauty has long made it a symbol of grace, elegance, and perfection.
- Mystery or Secrecy: Historically, roses were placed on confidential meeting tables as a reminder that matters discussed should remain secret (sub rosa).
- Honor: A rose can symbolize respect, admiration, and homage, making it suitable for tributes or recognition of achievements.
- Devotion: A symbol of fidelity and loyalty, the rose often represents deep commitment, such as in marriages or close partnerships.
- Innocence and Purity: White roses specifically signify purity, chastity, and innocence, often used in religious contexts or weddings.
- Bereavement: In funerary contexts, roses denote remembrance, reverence, and mourning.

💧

Every week

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Old John rose should be watered thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically means once or twice a week depending on weather conditions. Deep watering is preferred, where water reaches at least 18 inches into the soil, to encourage the roots to grow deep and strong. In the heat of the summer, roses may require additional water, and you should aim to provide approximately 1 to 2 gallons of water per plant each time you water, depending on the size and maturity of the rose bush. Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry and prevent fungal diseases. During the winter, water only as necessary to prevent the soil from drying out completely.
Light
The Old John rose thrives in full sunlight, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Morning light is particularly beneficial as it dries the dew on the leaves, which helps prevent disease. Place the rose in a location that gets unobstructed sun from the morning through mid-afternoon. Dappled light in the late afternoon can help protect the blossoms from the intense heat of the sun in the hottest part of the day.
Temperature
The Old John rose, like most roses, prefers temperate conditions and will do best in temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which encourages robust growth and flowering. Roses can survive temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit but may need protection such as mulching around the base during the winter months. High temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit might stress the plant and require additional watering and care to ensure its health.
Pruning
Prune the Old John rose to maintain plant health and shape, improve air circulation and encourage vibrant blooms. It is usually best to prune roses during late winter or early spring, just as the plants are exiting dormancy and the buds begin to swell. Remove dead or diseased wood, thin out the center of the plant, and cut back canes by about one-third to one-half their length. Prune yearly, focusing on older canes to rejuvenate the plant.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Roses like well-drained soil rich in organic matter with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. A good mix for Rosa 'Dicwillynilly', commonly known as Rose, would consist of equal parts garden soil, compost, and coarse sand or perlite to improve drainage. Mulch can be added on top to maintain moisture and soil temperature.
Repotting
Roses planted in containers may need repotting every 2 to 3 years or when they outgrow their current pot. Rosa 'Dicwillynilly', commonly known as Rose, does not typically require frequent repotting when planted in the ground, unless it is being transplanted to a new location.
Humidity & Misting
Roses, including Rosa 'Dicwillynilly', thrive at average outdoor humidity levels. There is no specific humidity requirement, but they do well with morning dew and good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Rose in bright, indirect light, with ample airflow.
- Outdoor
  Plant Rose in full sun, ensuring rich, well-draining soil.
- Hardiness zone
  6-9 USDA
Life cycle
The Rosa 'Dicwillynilly', commonly known as Old John, begins its life cycle when its seeds germinate in soil with adequate moisture and warmth. As a perennial plant, it then grows into a seedling, developing its first true leaves and setting down a root system. As it matures into a young plant, it forms a robust bush with canes and foliage, experiencing vegetative growth and preparing for flowering. The Old John rose enters a period of blooming, typically in late spring through summer, producing fragrant flowers that attract pollinators and may repeat this blooming cycle multiple times in a growing season. After pollination, it develops hips, which are the fruit of the rose containing seeds for the next generation. As the seasons change, the plant undergoes dormancy during colder months, reducing metabolic activity to survive winter, before resuming active growth in the spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: The Rosa Old John, or 'Dicwillynilly', can be propagated via softwood cuttings, a popular method utilized for many roses that combines relative ease with effectiveness. The ideal time for taking softwood cuttings is in late spring or early summer when the plant's growth is tender and green. To propagate with this method, a cutting of about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) with several leaves is taken from the parent plant. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to facilitate root development before being planted in a moist potting mix. The cutting should then be placed in a well-lit area but out of direct sunlight, with a humidity dome or plastic bag over it to retain moisture. It can take several weeks for the cutting to root, after which it can be gradually acclimatized to normal conditions before transplanting.