How to Grow Loving Memory
Wikimedia Commons
Loving Memory
Rosa 'Loving Memory'
shrubLoving Memory is a striking hybrid tea rose known for its deep red, velvety blooms and excellent disease resistance. This vigorous shrub rose produces fragrant, high-centered flowers that are ideal for cutting and display. It's a reliable performer in most climates and gardens.
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Example Loving Memory timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Loving Memory
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 Loving Memory
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Loving Memory dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9
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Establishment
2-4 weeksNewly planted rose with minimal foliage growth and early root development.
Water gently but consistently. Avoid heavy fertilizing. Provide afternoon shade in hot climates during the first few weeks.
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksBush develops multiple canes and dense green foliage with new shoots appearing regularly.
Begin light pruning to shape the plant. Apply balanced rose fertilizer monthly. Mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Budding & Flowering
Continuous throughout growing season, 4-6 weeks per flushHigh-centered flower buds form on new canes; deep red, velvety blooms open in succession.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Ensure consistent watering. Monitor for pests and diseases weekly.
Peak Bloom & Maintenance
6-12 weeksMultiple flowers at various stages of opening; plant at full ornamental value.
Continue regular watering and deadheading. Apply rose-specific fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Prune out any diseased canes immediately.
Fall Hardening
4-8 weeks before dormancyGrowth slows as temperatures cool; foliage may develop reddish tones; fewer flowers appear.
Reduce fertilizing in late summer. Stop deadheading 6-8 weeks before first frost to allow hips to form. Provide mulch protection in colder zones.
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water stream or insecticidal soap. Introduce ladybugs or lacewings. Use neem oil if infestation is severe.
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Increase humidity by misting foliage. Spray with miticide or insecticidal soap. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Improve air circulation through pruning. Apply sulfur or neem oil spray. Avoid overhead watering. Plant in full sun.
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Remove infected leaves immediately. Apply fungicide weekly. Ensure good drainage and air circulation. Water only at soil level.
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Hand-pick in early morning. Use Japanese beetle traps away from roses. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Uses
Rose water & petals
CulinaryFragrant petals can be used to make rose water, infusions, or as edible garnishes for desserts and beverages. Ensure the rose has not been treated with pesticides if using for culinary purposes. [source]
Cut flowers & floral arrangements
HouseholdLoving Memory's deep red velvety blooms and long vase life make it exceptional for fresh cut flower arrangements, wedding bouquets, and special occasion centerpieces. [source]
Rose hip tea & remedies
MedicinalRose hips (the fruit that develops after flowering) are rich in vitamin C and can be dried to make nourishing herbal tea with immune-boosting properties. [source]
Dried flowers & potpourri
CraftPetals dry beautifully and retain their color well, making them ideal for pressing, dried arrangements, and fragrant potpourri blends. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeRose flowers attract bees and other pollinators, providing food sources during the growing season and supporting local pollinator populations. [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 blooms in early morning when stems are fully hydrated. Use sharp pruners to cut at a 45-degree angle above an outward-facing leaf node. Remove lower foliage that would sit below the water line in a vase. Recut stems under water and change vase water every 2-3 days for longest vase life (7-10 days).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Loving Memory won the World Federation of Rose Societies' James Alexander Gamble Rose Fragrance Medal, recognizing its exceptional scent quality.
- 🌱 The deep red color of Loving Memory roses symbolizes deep love and respect in traditional rose color language, making them particularly popular for romantic occasions.
- 🌱 This cultivar was bred in the 1980s and has become a standard rose variety in commercial floriculture and home gardens due to its reliability and disease resistance.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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