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How to Grow Parfum de Fleur

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Parfum de Fleur

Rosa 'Parfum de Fleur'

flower

Parfum de Fleur is a hybrid tea rose renowned for its intensely fragrant, deep red blooms and classic rose form. This award-winning cultivar produces large, velvety flowers with excellent scent that are prized for cutting and display. It combines strong fragrance with good disease resistance and vigorous growth.

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Example Parfum de Fleur timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Parfum de Fleur

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Parfum de Fleur blooms

    Mid-to-late summer

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Parfum de Fleur dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, minimum 6-8 hours daily; 8+ hours ideal for maximum blooms and fragrance
💧
Water: Water deeply and regularly, 1-1.5 inches per week; maintain consistent moisture during growing season but avoid waterlogged soil. Water at base in morning to reduce disease pressure.
📏
Spacing: 36 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 90-120 days to first bloom; 2-3 years to full mature plant size
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Planting depth: Graft union should be 1-2 inches below soil surface in cold climates, at or slightly above soil in warm climates

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.5
Amendments:
Compost Aged manure Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Peat moss or coco coir Rose fertilizer or slow-release balanced fertilizer

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-9; performs best in zones 6-8

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

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Growth Stages

1

Establishment

4-8 weeks

New rose develops initial canes and root system; foliage is light green and sparse

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avoid fertilizing first 6 weeks. Remove any early flower buds to encourage root development. Prune lightly to encourage branching.

2

Vegetative Growth

6-12 weeks

Plant develops strong canes with glossy, deep green foliage; increases in size and branching

Apply balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Prune spent blooms and weak canes. Monitor for pests and diseases. Ensure adequate sunlight and air circulation.

3

Budbreak & Flowering

3-4 weeks per bloom cycle; repeats throughout season

Plump red buds form at cane tips; buds develop into large, full, fragrant deep red blooms

Increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to support blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage reblooming. Provide consistent water. Stake or support heavy blooms if needed.

4

Bloom Maintenance

1-2 weeks per bloom

Large, velvety crimson flowers with excellent fragrance open fully; petals gradually mature and deepen in color

Cut blooms in early morning or late evening. Remove fallen petals and damaged leaves to prevent disease. Continue regular watering and feeding. Protect from extreme heat with afternoon shade in hot climates.

5

Fall Preparation & Dormancy

8-12 weeks

Growth slows in fall; foliage may yellow or darken. Plant enters dormancy in winter

Reduce fertilizer in late summer/early fall. Continue watering as needed. In cold climates, mound 10-12 inches of mulch over base before hard freeze. Prune dead canes in early spring.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lavender Catmint Salvia Artemisia Alliums Nepeta Delphinium Clematis (trained on structures nearby) Boxwood (hedging) Geranium

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut (juglone toxicity) Fennel Certain fast-growing vines that compete for space Dense ground covers that reduce air circulation

Common Pests

  • Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.

  • Increase humidity and mist foliage; apply miticide or neem oil if severe. Avoid excessive heat stress.

  • Hand-pick in early morning when sluggish; use pheromone traps away from roses. Apply neem oil if needed.

  • Remove and destroy infected plants immediately. No cure; prevention through good sanitation and mite control is essential.

  • Remove infected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage. Apply fungicide (sulfur, neem, or rose fungicide) preventatively.

  • Ensure adequate sunlight and air circulation. Apply sulfur or potassium bicarbonate-based fungicide.

Uses

🍳

Rose Water & Petals

Culinary

Deep red petals can be used to make rose water, rose syrup, or candied petals for decorating desserts. Always verify pesticide-free cultivation if harvesting for culinary use. [source]

🏠

Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements

Household

Parfum de Fleur is highly prized as a premium cut flower due to its exceptional fragrance, large blooms, and deep crimson color. Perfect for bouquets, centerpieces, and special occasions. [source]

💊

Fragrance & Aromatherapy

Medicinal

The intensely fragrant blooms release powerful volatile oils with relaxing and mood-enhancing properties. Rose petals have been traditionally used in herbal teas and infusions. [source]

🎨

Dried Flowers & Potpourri

Craft

Deep red petals dry beautifully and retain color. Use in potpourri mixes, dried arrangements, crafts, and decorative displays. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

While hybrid tea roses offer less nectar than wild roses, the blooms still attract bees and other pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity. [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 or late evening when fully hydrated. Use sharp pruners or florist shears. Leave at least two sets of 5-leaflet leaves on the stem for regrowth. Cut at a 45-degree angle above an outward-facing bud eye. Parfum de Fleur is excellent as a cut flower and will rebloom throughout the season if deadheaded. Blooms last 7-10 days in a vase with floral preservative.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Parfum de Fleur won the prestigious Fragrant Cloud Trophy and is recognized internationally for its exceptional scent quality—one of the most highly fragrant hybrid tea roses available.
  • 🌱 The rose's intense fragrance is produced by volatile organic compounds including geraniol, citronellol, and damascenone, which are also found in perfumery-grade rose oils.
  • 🌱 Hybrid tea roses like Parfum de Fleur were developed through crossing Rosa gallica (Apothecary Rose) with other species, creating flowers with large blooms, strong scents, and long vase life—the result of over 150 years of selective breeding.

Gardening Terms

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

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Hybrid Mulch pH
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