How to Grow Cannon's Double
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Cannon's Double
Rosa × damascena 'Cannon's Double'
shrubCannon's Double is a historic damask rose cultivar known for its fully double, fragrant flowers with a romantic, old-fashioned appearance. This heirloom variety produces abundant blooms in shades of pink and is highly valued for both ornamental garden displays and traditional rose oil production. It is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub that combines historical significance with reliable garden performance.
When should you plant Cannon's Double in your zone?
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Example Cannon's Double timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Cannon's Double
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Cannon's Double
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Cannon's Double dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-8, cold-hardy to zone 4b with winter protection
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Get my Cannon's Double timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
First 3-4 monthsYoung plant developing root system and initial cane growth; sparse early foliage
Keep soil consistently moist, provide shelter from strong winds, avoid heavy pruning first year, apply mulch layer
Vegetative Growth
Spring through early summer, months 2-6Canes lengthen, foliage becomes full and dense, plant fills out its mature form
Water deeply and regularly, apply balanced fertilizer monthly during growing season, remove any diseased growth, light pruning to shape
Flowering
Late spring through summer, 4-8 weeks or longerAbundant double rose blooms appear in clusters, typically pink with strong fragrance, peak bloom in early summer
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers, maintain consistent watering, apply rose fertilizer every 4-6 weeks, monitor for pests and disease
Summer to Fall
Mid-summer through fallSecondary bloom flush may occur, foliage remains healthy, plant may slow growth in heat
Continue light deadheading, reduce fertilizing in late summer, maintain water during dry periods, watch for late-season pests
Dormancy
October through MarchPlant drops leaves in fall, canes harden off, plant rests through winter
Reduce watering in late fall, cease fertilizing, prune in early spring before growth starts, apply winter mulch in zone 4-5, remove dead canes
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water jet, apply insecticidal soap, use neem oil, introduce ladybugs, prune affected stems
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Hand-pick early morning, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap, use pheromone traps nearby, avoid trap placement near roses
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Improve air circulation through pruning, apply sulfur dust or baking soda spray, ensure adequate sun exposure, avoid overhead watering
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Remove infected leaves immediately, water at soil level only, apply fungicide spray, improve air circulation, mulch to prevent spore splash
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Increase humidity by misting, spray with water, apply neem oil or miticide, remove heavily infested stems
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No cure; remove and destroy infected plant, control mite vectors with neem oil, purchase certified disease-free stock
Uses
Rose Water and Culinary Applications
CulinaryCannon's Double roses are traditionally used to produce rose water and rose oil used in Middle Eastern and Indian cooking, perfuming desserts, beverages, and savory dishes. The petals can be crystallized for cake decoration or used fresh in salads and teas. [source]
Perfumery and Fragrance
HouseholdThis damask rose is one of the most important commercial varieties for producing fine rose oil (attar of roses) and absolute, prized in high-end perfumery and cosmetics. A single bloom contains enough fragrance compounds to be economically harvested. [source]
Traditional Herbal Medicine
MedicinalRose petals and rose water have been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Persian medicine for cooling, anti-inflammatory, and skin-healing properties. The tea supports digestive health and provides vitamin C and antioxidants. [source]
Drying and Floral Arrangements
CraftCannon's Double's full petals retain shape and fragrance when dried, making it ideal for potpourri, dried flower arrangements, and craft projects. Historic dried rose petals are highly valued for their romantic aesthetic and enduring scent. [source]
Pollinator Garden and Biodiversity
WildlifeWhile the fully double form limits bee access compared to single roses, the abundant nectar still attracts bumblebees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting garden ecosystem health. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cut fully double blooms in early morning after dew dries, select stems with several open blooms on the same stem, cut at 45-degree angle above outward-facing leaf bud, immediately place in water with floral preservative, blooms last 5-7 days in a vase. For rose oil production, harvest fully open blooms at peak fragrance. For drying, harvest in early morning and hang upside down in dark, dry location.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Cannon's Double is one of the oldest continuously cultivated rose varieties, with records dating back centuries; it was a favorite of European royalty and appears in historical paintings and literature.
- 🌱 The damask rose is the primary variety used to produce authentic Bulgarian rose oil, with some estates in the Valley of Roses requiring hundreds of hand-harvested blooms to produce a single ounce of essential oil.
- 🌱 This variety gets its name from an early cultivator or collector and remains true-to-type through vegetative propagation (budding/grafting) for hundreds of years, making it genetically identical to roses grown in centuries past.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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