Roald Dahl Rose Rosa Roald Dahl = 'Ausowlish' (PBR) (S)
ABOUT
The Rosa Roald Dahl, often referred to simply as a rose, is an ornamental plant known for its captivating flowers. The blooms exhibit a warm, soft peach hue with a distinctive cupped and quartered shape that exudes a certain old-world charm. The petals are arranged in a rosette formation, lush and numerous, creating a full, rounded appearance that is both classic and elegant. The overall color palette of this rose varies from a peachy apricot to a lighter creamy tone towards the outer petals, offering a gentle contrast that enhances its sophisticated allure. The rose has a strong and pleasant fruity fragrance with subtle hints of fresh tea and cucumber, adding to the sensory delight of the rose garden. The foliage of the Rosa Roald Dahl is a dark, glossy green which provides a striking backdrop to the softer tones of the blooms. The leaves are strong and healthy, helping to support the profusion of flowers that this plant is known for. Adding to its appeal, the plant's stems are robust, allowing for the heavy blooms to be displayed prominently. This characteristic, along with the plant's renowned flowers, makes the Rosa Roald Dahl a cherished variety among garden enthusiasts and a popular choice for ornamental planting.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Roald Dahl Rose
Common names
Rosa 'Ausowlish'
- Toxicity
To humans
The plant commonly known as Rose is not typically toxic to humans. There are no widespread reports of serious toxicity from ingesting roses. However, some people may experience mild stomach upset if they consume rose petals or leaves. In general, ingesting any part of the rose is not expected to result in severe poisoning or long-term consequences for humans. Roses are more commonly known for their beauty and fragrance than for being a source of poisoning.
To pets
For most pets, including dogs and cats, the Rose is not considered highly toxic. It is not common for pets to experience severe poisoning as a result of ingesting roses. However, like with humans, the ingestion of rose leaves or flowers may potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea or diarrhea, due to the fibrous plant material. Thorns can also pose a physical hazard, causing injury if a pet tries to chew on a rose stem. Nonetheless, serious toxicity or long-term consequences from roses are rare in pets.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Apricot
Height
4 feet (1.22 meters)
Spread
3 feet (0.91 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Attractive Blooms: Features peach-colored flowers that are beautiful and add aesthetic value to gardens.
- Pleasant Fragrance: The flowers emit a delightful scent which can enhance the sensory experience of a garden.
- Repeat Flowering: This variety has the ability to bloom multiple times throughout the growing season.
- Disease Resistance: Exhibits good resistance to common rose diseases such as rust and black spot.
- Compact Growth: Suitable for small gardens and can be grown in containers due to its relatively compact size.
- Long Flowering Period: Offers a long season of interest with its flowers from early summer to fall.
- Attracts Pollinators: Invites beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, contributing to the health of the local ecosystem.
- Low Maintenance: Relatively easy to care for, requiring standard rose maintenance without excessive effort.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it can tolerate periods of dryness, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Heritage: Named after famed author Roald Dahl, providing a unique and literary connection for fans and gardeners.
- 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
- Artistic Inspiration: Watercolor, oil, and sketch artists often use the intricate beauty of the rose's petals and leaves as subjects for their artwork.
- Culinary Decoration: Petals of the rose can be used to add a splash of natural color to salads, desserts, or as elegant garnishes to upscale dishes.
- Natural Fabric Dye: The petals of roses can be boiled to extract natural dyes that can be used to color fabrics and yarns in shades of pink or red.
- Botanical Perfumery: Rose petals are traditionally distilled to produce essential oils or used as a fragrance ingredient for perfumes and scented candles.
- Floral Bath Soaks: Dried rose petals can be added to bath salts and soaks for an aromatic and luxurious bathing experience.
- Handmade Paper: Rose petals can be incorporated into the paper-making process to create decorative, textured paper with floral inclusions.
- Educational Tools: Roses can be used in schools or educational programs to teach botany, plant biology, and the process of pollination.
- Scented Bookmarks: Dried rose petals can be laminated within bookmarks to provide a subtle fragrance when reading physical books.
- Wedding Confetti: Dried, biodegradable rose petals are used as a natural alternative to paper confetti at weddings.
- Crafting Potpourri: Dried rose petals are a common ingredient in homemade potpourri mixes, providing a natural fragrance to living spaces.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The rose is used in Feng Shui to enhance love and romance energies, often suggested for the southwest sector of a garden or home to attract positive relationships and happiness.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The rose is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Love: Roses are traditionally associated with love and passion, making the Rosa Roald Dahl a symbol of deep affection and romantic sentiment.
- Beauty: This variety of rose, with its beautifully formed flowers, represents the classic and timeless beauty.
- Honor: Giving a Rosa Roald Dahl can be a way to show respect and admiration for someone's achievements or character.
- Devotion: Roses often symbolize deep devotion and commitment, suggesting a strong and lasting bond between the giver and the recipient.
- Secrecy: Historically, the rose was a symbol of secrecy, where a rose hung overhead meant anything said under it was meant to be kept confidential.
- New Beginnings: As roses are recurrent bloomers, they can also stand for new beginnings and renewal.
- Balance: The symmetrical nature of rose blooms is associated with balance and harmony in life.
- Water
The Roald Dahl rose should be watered deeply and less frequently to encourage strong root growth, typically receiving about 1 inch of water per week. During hot, dry periods, increase waterings to twice per week, ensuring that the plant receives a total of around 2 gallons each time for mature roses. The soil should be well-draining to prevent waterlogging. Water directly at the base of the plant to prevent wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. Always check the soil moisture level before watering to prevent overwatering.
- Light
The Roald Dahl rose thrives in full sunlight, which means it should receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sun per day. Planting it in a spot that gets morning sun is ideal as it helps to dry dew quickly, reducing the risk of disease. Avoid overly shaded areas since insufficient light can lead to poor blooming and a weakened plant.
- Temperature
The Roald Dahl rose is hardy and grows best in temperate climates with temperatures ranging between 40°F and 85°F. It can survive minimum winter temperatures down to about 20°F but will require protection from harsher frosts. The ideal temperature range for maximum growth and flowering is between 65°F and 75°F.
- Pruning
Pruning the Roald Dahl rose is essential to maintain plant health, encourage new growth, and promote better flowering. Prune in late winter or early spring when new buds begin to swell, removing dead or diseased wood and opening the center of the plant to increase air circulation. Cut back remaining canes by about one-third to one-half, making cuts at a 45-degree angle just above outward-facing buds. Deadhead spent blooms throughout the growing season to encourage more flowers.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
For the English Rose, a mix with well-draining loam, peat moss, and compost suits best, maintaining a pH between 6.0 to 7.0.
- Repotting
English Roses planted in containers may require repotting every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth.
- Humidity & Misting
English Roses prefer average humidity levels but are adaptable; avoid overly humid environments as this can promote disease.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place in bright, indirect light and ensure adequate air circulation.
Outdoor
Full sun, sheltered location, mulch base, water deeply and regularly.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
- Life cycle
The Rosa 'Roald Dahl' ('Ausowlish') (PBR) (S), commonly known as the English Rose, begins its life cycle as a dormant bare-root or potted plant. Upon planting in well-drained soil and full to partial sunlight, it enters a growth phase in spring, developing shoots and foliage. Through late spring to early summer, the rose bush produces its first flush of fragrant, peach-colored blooms, which attract pollinators and potentially allow for self-seeding, although many modern roses are bred for sterility. Throughout the growing season, the plant goes through cycles of blooming, followed by a rest period, and may bloom multiple times, especially if deadheaded to encourage further flowers. As autumn approaches, the rose slowly enters dormancy, with leaves falling and growth ceasing in preparation for winter. The cycle begins anew in the next spring, with the plant potentially living for several decades if given proper care.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Rosa 'Roald Dahl' is commonly propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. The best time to take these cuttings is in late summer to early autumn. To propagate, a gardener would cut a healthy piece of stem about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long, ensuring it has several sets of leaves. The bottom set of leaves is removed, and the cut end is often dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root growth. The cutting is then planted in a mix of potting soil and perlite or sand to provide good drainage. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged, and the cutting should be positioned in a warm area with indirect sunlight. Cuttings will typically develop roots in several weeks, after which they can gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions before being planted in their final location.