Rosa Bonica

Rosa Bonica is a busy shrub rose the grows four to five feet tall and four feet wide. It is an award winner that represents and important breakthrough in disease resistance. Bloom is scattered throughout the summer and repeats dependably in autumn. This rose is great for mass planting, foundation planting and hedging. In mixed borders, it works very well with antique and modern roses, perennials and shrubs.

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil, and apply compost and fertilizer annually. Prune by thinning out older canes and cut the rest back by 1/3. For hedges, plant bushes 3 ½ feet apart and they will be touching in three years. As far as disease, Bonica is resistant to black spot, mildew and rust. However, three preventive spray treatments are recommended to keep foliage throughout the season. Apply fungicidal soap or garden sulfur combined with an antitranspirant as soon as leaves emerge in spring and twice thereafter.

• Class: Shrub, Pink-Dark Pink blend
• Origin: Meilland, France, 1981; Conard-Pyle, United States, 1987; 1987 All-American Rose Selection
• Bloom: Very Double, Ruffled, Small, 40 Petals, Lightly Fragrant: FruityClusters of ruffled pink blooms, lighter at edges of petals, low maintenance
• Habit: Vigorous, bushy shrubs grow 4-5' tall and 4' wide
• Disease susceptibility: Resistant to black spot, mildew and rust.
• Parentage: Rosa sempervirens x 'Mlle. Marthe Caron' x 'Picasso'