How to Grow Kermesinum Rose

Wikimedia Commons

Kermesinum Rose

Rosa 'Kermesinum'

shrub

Kermesinum Rose is a historic shrub rose known for its deep crimson-red flowers with a velvety texture and rich fragrance. This gallica-type rose produces medium-sized blooms on a compact, upright shrub that typically reaches 3-4 feet in height. It is celebrated for its old-garden charm, disease resistance, and ability to thrive in various growing conditions.

When should you plant Kermesinum Rose in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Kermesinum Rose timeline →

Example Kermesinum Rose timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Kermesinum Rose
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Kermesinum Rose
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Kermesinum Rose dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates partial shade but flowering is reduced

💧

Water: Moderate watering; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Water at the base to prevent foliar disease. Increase watering during hot, dry periods. Establish deep watering habits for drought tolerance once established.

📏

Spacing: 36 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 2-3 years to reach full size and flowering potential

🌱

Planting depth: Graft union should be 1-2 inches below soil surface in cold climates, at soil level in warmer zones

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.5

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Peat moss or coconut coir Perlite or grit for drainage Bone meal for phosphorus

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-8, hardy to zone 4b with winter protection

4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

Get my Kermesinum Rose timeline →

Growth Stages

Establishment

6-8 weeks

Young bare-root or container rose with initial leaf emergence and root development

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Protect from harsh winds. Mulch around base leaving 2-3 inches from stem. Prune lightly to encourage branching.

Vegetative Growth

Spring through early summer

Plant develops canes with healthy foliage; stems thicken and height increases

Feed monthly with balanced rose fertilizer. Remove any diseased leaves. Monitor for pests. Provide support if needed. Deadhead early blooms to encourage strong growth.

Flowering

6-8 weeks primary bloom; may repeat in fall

Deep crimson-red blooms appear singly or in small clusters; flowers are cup-shaped with strong fragrance

Continue regular watering and feeding. Deadhead spent blooms to extend flowering period. Inspect flowers for pests. Enjoy fragrance during peak bloom times (late spring to early summer and often again in fall).

Maturity

Year 2 onward

Shrub reaches full size (3-4 feet) with established growth habit; flowering pattern becomes predictable

Perform dormant-season pruning in early spring; remove dead, diseased, or crossing canes. Thin center for air circulation. Maintain shape. Feed regularly during growing season.

Dormancy

November through March

Plant loses leaves and enters winter rest period; canes harden off

Cease fertilizing by late summer. Reduce watering frequency. In zone 4b, apply 4-6 inches of mulch after first hard frost. Remove mulch gradually in spring as temps moderate.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lavender Catmint Salvia Germander Russian Sage Alliums Foxglove Delphinium Clematis Lady's Mantle

Avoid planting near:

Walnut trees (juglone toxicity) Fennel Rue Plants requiring acidic soil (pH < 5.5)

Common Pests

Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
Increase humidity by misting foliage early in day. Spray with neem oil or sulfur. Ensure adequate watering.
Hand-pick beetles in early morning. Apply neem oil to foliage. Use pheromone traps away from roses.
No cure; remove infected plants. Control by managing mite populations with sulfur or miticides.
Ensure air circulation; avoid overhead watering. Apply sulfur or potassium bicarbonate. Remove affected leaves.
Remove infected leaves immediately. Improve air circulation. Apply sulfur or copper fungicide. Water at base only.

Uses

🍳

Rose Hip Preparation

Culinary

Gallica roses like Kermesinum develop ornamental hips in fall that can be harvested for rose hip tea and preserves, rich in vitamin C. The hips offer a tart, floral flavor ideal for medicinal teas and jams. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Remedy

Medicinal

Historic gallica roses have been used in traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. Petals can be dried for herbal blends to support respiratory and digestive health. [source]

🏠

Perfume & Fragrance Production

Household

The deeply fragrant Kermesinum blooms are excellent for producing rose water, essential oils, and dried petal blends for potpourri and sachets. Historic gallica roses were prized by perfumers for their rich scent compounds. [source]

🎨

Cut Flowers & Arrangements

Craft

With their long stems, deep color, and strong fragrance, Kermesinum roses are ideal for cutting gardens, bouquets, and floral arrangements. The velvety texture of the blooms adds vintage charm to displays. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Historic gallica roses attract bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial pollinators with their open flower structure and abundant pollen. The shrub provides seasonal nectar and pollen sources for garden ecosystems. [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 flowers for arrangements in early morning after dew dries but before heat of day. Cut stems at a 45-degree angle just above an outward-facing leaf node. Remove lower leaves from stem. Condition in cool water for 2-4 hours before arranging. Flowers typically last 7-10 days in a vase. Deadhead spent blooms on plant to encourage continued flowering.

Fun Facts

🌱 Kermesinum is believed to be one of the oldest continuously cultivated rose varieties, with origins tracing back to ancient Persia and Greece; it is a gallica-type rose from the pre-hybrid tea era.
🌱 The deep crimson color is so intense and stable that Kermesinum roses were historically used as natural dyes for fabrics and in art. The color name 'kermesinum' itself refers to a deep red dye from kermes insects.
🌱 This rose variety is highly valued by heritage and heirloom gardeners because it requires minimal care, is disease-resistant, and self-sustains without modern hybrid vigor breeding—making it an ideal choice for organic and low-maintenance gardens.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade

Shop Kermesinum Rose plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Kermesinum Rose planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Kermesinum Rose seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Kermesinum Rose timeline →