How to Grow Peace Rose Double Delight

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Peace Rose Double Delight

Rosa × hybrida 'Double Delight'

flower

Double Delight is a hybrid tea rose renowned for its striking bicolor blooms featuring deep red edges that gradually fade to cream or pale yellow toward the center. This fragrant rose produces large, fully double flowers on long stems ideal for cutting, and offers repeat blooming throughout the growing season. It combines classic rose beauty with a rich, spicy fragrance that makes it a favorite among rose enthusiasts.

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Example Peace Rose Double Delight timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Peace Rose Double Delight

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Peace Rose Double Delight blooms

    Around Jul 16

    ≈ 90 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (8+ hours preferred for best blooming)
💧
Water: Deep, regular watering 1-2 inches per week; more frequent during hot weather. Water at soil level to keep foliage dry and prevent disease. Maintain consistent moisture but avoid waterlogging.
📏
Spacing: 36 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 90-120 days to first blooms after planting
🌱
Planting depth: Graft union (knot) should be 1-2 inches below soil surface in cold climates, at or slightly above soil surface in warm climates

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.5
Amendments:
compost aged manure perlite or sand for drainage peat moss

Growing Zones

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Zones 5b-10a; performs best in zones 6-9

5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

1

Establishment

4-8 weeks

Newly planted rose with emerging shoots and developing root system; may appear slow initially

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Protect from harsh winds. Remove any flowers the first year to encourage root development. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base.

2

Vegetative Growth

8-12 weeks

Strong stem and foliage development with vigorous branching; plant builds framework for flowering

Fertilize every 4-6 weeks with rose-specific fertilizer. Prune to shape plant and remove dead/diseased wood. Maintain pest and disease monitoring.

3

Budding & Flowering

6-8 weeks per flush

Large, pointed buds form and open into stunning bicolor blooms with deep red outer petals fading to creamy centers

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Maintain consistent watering and fertilization. Stake tall stems if needed. Cut flowers early morning for vases.

4

Repeat Bloom Cycle

Repeats every 6-8 weeks spring through fall

Plant produces successive flushes of blooms throughout growing season with brief resting periods between

Continue regular feeding and watering. Monitor closely for pests and diseases in warm months. Prune lightly between flushes to encourage branching.

5

Dormancy

8-16 weeks depending on climate

Plant goes dormant in fall/winter; foliage may drop and growth slows significantly

Reduce watering and fertilizing. In cold climates, mound soil 10-12 inches over base for winter protection. Prune in early spring before growth resumes.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Avoid planting near:

black walnut trees fennel plants requiring very dry conditions

Common Pests

  • Spray with strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs

  • Increase humidity and water foliage; spray with neem oil or miticide; remove heavily infested leaves

  • Improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; apply sulfur dust or fungicide; remove affected leaves

  • Prune to improve air circulation; remove infected leaves immediately; apply fungicide; mulch to prevent spore splash

  • No cure; remove and destroy infected plants; control wild rose weeds; use virus-free rootstock

  • Hand-pick early morning; use pheromone traps away from roses; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap

Uses

🍳

Culinary Rose Petals

Culinary

Pesticide-free Double Delight petals can be used in desserts, salads, and beverages. Ensure flowers are grown without chemical sprays if intended for consumption. [source]

🏠

Cut Flowers & Arrangements

Household

Double Delight is a premium cut flower prized for floral arrangements, wedding bouquets, and centerpieces. The long stems and large blooms make it ideal for professional floristry and home arrangements. [source]

💊

Rose Hip Tea

Medicinal

After flowering, rose hips (seed pods) can be harvested and dried for herbal tea rich in vitamin C. Double Delight hips provide immune support and antioxidant benefits. [source]

🏠

Fragrance & Perfumery

Household

The rich, spicy fragrance of Double Delight petals can be used to make rose water, perfume, or potpourri. Fresh petals dry well for scented sachets. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Double Delight roses attract bees and other pollinators to the garden, supporting local ecosystem health. Double flowers attract slightly fewer pollinators than single roses but still provide nectar. [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 stems are fully hydrated. Cut at a 45-degree angle just above an outward-facing 5-leaflet leaf. Cut stems 12-18 inches long for arrangements. Remove lower foliage that would sit below waterline. Place immediately in clean water with floral food. Deadhead spent blooms by cutting just above the first outward-facing 5-leaflet leaf to promote continuous flowering.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Double Delight won the All-America Rose Selections (AARS) award in 1977 and remains one of the most popular hybrid tea roses worldwide, treasured for its unique bicolor pattern that inspired its name.
  • 🌱 The fragrance of Double Delight is classified as spicy-sweet and intensifies in warm weather; the blooms are more fragrant when grown in full sun and warm climates, making them a favorite for warm-zone gardeners.
  • 🌱 Double Delight is relatively disease-resistant compared to other hybrid teas, though it requires good air circulation and regular maintenance to prevent black spot in humid climates.

Gardening Terms

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