Scarborough Fair Rose Rosa Scarborough Fair = 'Ausoran' (S)

Water

For the English rose Rosa Scarborough Fair, deep watering is recommended once a week under normal weather conditions. During hot and dry periods, water twice a week, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Each watering session should involve 1-2 gallons of water, depending on the size of the bush and the soil's moisture retention capacity. It is best to water early in the morning at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases.

Light

The English rose Rosa Scarborough Fair thrives in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. They should receive at least 6 hours of sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering. The best spot would be one where the morning sun dries dew off the leaves quickly to help prevent disease and the plant is protected from the intense heat of the late afternoon sun.

Temperature

English rose Rosa Scarborough Fair prefers a moderate climate with temperatures ranging between 32°F and 90°F. While this rose can survive occasional dips below freezing, frost can damage new growth, so providing protection during sudden cold spells is important. Ideally, they grow best in temperatures consistently between 65°F and 75°F.

Pruning

Prune the English rose Rosa Scarborough Fair in late winter or early spring to remove dead wood, improve shape, and encourage blooming. Pruning should be done annually; cut back about one-third of the previous year's growth. For tidiness and health, remove any weak or crossing branches and deadhead spent blooms throughout the growing season to promote continued flowering.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

English Roses, such as the Rosa 'Scarborough Fair', thrive in rich, well-draining soil; a mixture of two parts loam, one part peat moss, and one part compost, with coarse sand added for drainage, is ideal. The pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging between 6.0 and 7.0.

Repotting

English Roses like Rosa 'Scarborough Fair' are typically grown in the ground rather than pots and do not require frequent repotting. If grown in containers, repotting every 2 to 3 years or when the plant outgrows its pot is sufficient.

Humidity & Misting

English Roses, including Rosa 'Scarborough Fair', prefer average outdoor humidity levels. While they can tolerate some variation, it's best to avoid overly dry or highly humid environments; the ideal range is between 40-60%.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Not suited for indoor growth; needs full sun, outside.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun, amend soil, water regularly, prune yearly.

• Hardiness zone

  5-9 USDA

Life cycle

The Rosa 'Scarborough Fair' ('Ausoran') (S), commonly known as Scarborough Fair Rose, begins its life cycle as a dormant bare root plant or potted specimen when introduced into a garden. It breaks dormancy in early spring, where new shoots emerge from the rootstock or grafted union and develop into canes with leaves. The plant progresses to its flowering stage in late spring to early summer, producing pale pink, fragrant blossoms that are attractive to pollinators. After pollination, some rose varieties may develop hips (seed pods) in late summer or fall, although many modern cultivars, like the Scarborough Fair Rose, are grown for repeat flowering and may not produce significant quantities of hips. The plant goes into a period of dormancy during the winter after shedding its leaves, preparing to survive the cold. The cycle repeats each year, with proper care including pruning and fertilization, the rose can live for several decades.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The Rosa Scarborough Fair, also known as 'Ausoran', is often propagated through softwood cuttings which is a popular method among gardeners. The best time for this is late spring to early summer when the plant's new growth is mature enough yet still tender. Cuttings, about 6 to 8 inches long, are taken from the healthiest canes and the lower leaves are removed. The base of the cuttings is then dipped into a rooting hormone to encourage root development. Afterward, the prepared cuttings are planted into a mix of potting soil and perlite or sand to provide good drainage, kept under high humidity, and maintained in indirect sunlight. Roots typically develop within 6 to 8 weeks, after which the new plants can be gradually acclimatized to outdoor conditions before planting out.