How to Grow My Valentine
My Valentine
Rosa 'My Valentine'
flowerMy Valentine is a hybrid tea rose renowned for its deep crimson-red blooms and exceptional fragrance. This classic cutting rose produces large, full flowers with excellent vase life and is a favorite for romantic arrangements and special occasions. It grows as an upright shrub reaching 3-4 feet tall with dark green foliage.
When should you plant My Valentine 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.
Example My Valentine timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant My Valentine
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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First My Valentine blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact My Valentine dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, with best performance in zones 6-8
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Get my My Valentine timeline →Growth Stages
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksRapid stem and foliage development with deep green, glossy leaves emerging along canes
Apply balanced fertilizer; prune to encourage branching; remove any diseased canes; maintain consistent moisture
Bud Formation
2-3 weeksFormation of deep red flower buds at stem tips; buds appear tight and compact
Continue regular watering and fertilizing; remove any weak or damaged buds; ensure adequate sunlight
Blooming
2-3 weeks per bloom cycleLarge, full double flowers with 40+ petals open to full fragrant blooms; intense crimson-red color
Deadhead spent flowers; provide consistent water; cut for arrangements in early morning; monitor for pests
Post-Bloom & Dormancy
4-8 weeks depending on seasonAfter bloom cycle ends, plant enters rest period; foliage may yellow slightly; minimal growth
Light pruning; reduce watering slightly; apply dormant oil if needed; prepare for winter in cold zones
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick in early morning; use pheromone traps nearby; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap
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Prune affected foliage; spray with insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators
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Spray with strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybugs
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Improve air circulation; apply sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate; remove affected leaves
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Remove infected leaves; avoid overhead watering; apply fungicide; ensure good drainage
Uses
Rose Water & Edible Petals
CulinaryThe petals of My Valentine can be used to create rose water for baking and beverages, and edible petals can garnish desserts and salads. Ensure roses are grown without pesticides if intended for consumption. [source]
Cut Flower Arrangements
HouseholdMy Valentine is prized for its exceptional vase life (7-14 days) and stunning appearance in floral arrangements, particularly for wedding bouquets and Valentine's Day displays. The long, strong stems and full blooms make it ideal for professional floristry. [source]
Fragrance & Aromatherapy
MedicinalThe intense fragrance of My Valentine contains volatile compounds that can have calming and mood-lifting properties when used in aromatherapy. Rose essential oil and rose water derived from this variety are used in traditional medicine and spa treatments. [source]
Dried Flowers & Potpourri
CraftThe full petals of My Valentine dry beautifully and retain their deep red color and fragrance, making them ideal for crafting dried flower arrangements, potpourri, and dried flower crafts. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeWhile hybrid tea roses have reduced pollen due to breeding, open-pollinated stages still attract bees and other pollinators, contributing modestly to garden pollination and 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 flowers in early morning when blooms are just opening or at bud stage for longest vase life. Use sharp, clean pruners and cut at a 45° angle just above an outward-facing 5-leaflet leaf. Remove lower foliage from cut stems and place immediately in water with rose food. For garden enjoyment, deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continued flowering throughout the season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 My Valentine was introduced by the Jackson & Perkins Company and has won the American Rose Society's Award of Excellence, making it one of the most reliable and popular hybrid tea roses worldwide.
- 🌱 This variety is named to celebrate romance and was specifically bred for its exceptional fragrance—a trait that was prioritized as many modern roses had lost strong scent through intensive breeding programs.
- 🌱 The deep crimson color of My Valentine deepens as the flower matures and can shift slightly based on temperature; cooler weather intensifies the red pigmentation, making fall-grown specimens particularly vibrant.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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