How to Grow William Lobb

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William Lobb

Rosa 'William Lobb'

shrub

William Lobb is a vigorous moss rose bred in 1855, known for its intensely fragrant, deep crimson-purple flowers with a distinctive mossy, glandular covering on the buds and sepals. This climbing or tall shrub rose produces quartered, full blooms in clusters and offers excellent disease resistance. It is prized by heritage rose enthusiasts for its romantic Old Garden Rose character and strong damask scent.

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Example William Lobb timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant William Lobb
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest William Lobb
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

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

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates

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Water: Deep, infrequent watering; approximately 1-2 inches per week. Water at the base to keep foliage dry and reduce disease. Drought-tolerant once established, but blooms best with consistent moisture.

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Spacing: 48 inches

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Days to maturity: Peak performance achieved in 2-3 years after planting

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Planting depth: Graft union 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 Well-rotted manure Perlite or sand for drainage Bone meal at planting

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-8; very cold-hardy for a moss rose

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

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Growth Stages

Establishment

First growing season, 3-4 months

Newly planted rose with root development and initial cane growth

Water regularly to establish deep roots. Protect from harsh winds. Do not deadhead first-year blooms; allow some to develop hips to strengthen the plant. Light fertilizing only.

Vegetative Growth

Spring through early summer, 2-3 months

Vigorous cane and leaf development with increasingly robust branching and foliage

Fertilize every 4-6 weeks with balanced rose fertilizer. Prune lightly to shape; William Lobb benefits from tying canes horizontally to encourage more lateral flowering. Mulch well.

Flowering

Late spring through early summer, 4-6 weeks

Distinctive mossy buds opening into intensely fragrant, quartered crimson-purple flowers, typically in clusters

Deadhead spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering (though William Lobb blooms primarily once yearly, with some repeat in favorable years). Support canes with soft ties or pegging. Monitor for powdery mildew.

Summer Rest & Potential Repeat Bloom

Mid-summer, 6-8 weeks

Plant enters semi-dormancy in heat; may produce scattered blooms if well-watered

Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to avoid tender new growth. Maintain consistent moisture. Prune only dead or diseased wood. Monitor for spider mites in dry conditions.

Fall & Winter Preparation

Late summer through winter, 3-4 months

Slowing growth, seed hip development, and hardening off for dormancy

Cease heavy fertilizing by late August. Allow final flush of blooms to set hips for winter interest. Mulch well in cold climates. Prune only in early spring.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lavender Catmint Salvia Delphiniums Foxgloves Bearded iris Geranium (hardy) Lady's mantle Santolina

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Black walnut Competing vigorous shrubs that will shade the rose

Common Pests

Ensure good air circulation; prune canes to open the center. Spray with fungicide (sulfur, neem oil, or potassium bicarbonate) at first sign. Avoid overhead watering.
Remove affected leaves immediately. Apply fungicide weekly during wet weather. Mulch well to prevent spore splash from soil.
Increase humidity and water pressure at base of plant. Spray with horticultural oil or neem oil every 7-10 days if infested.
Spray with strong water jet or insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
Hand-pick or prune affected foliage. Spray with neem oil or spinosad if severe.

Uses

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Rose Petals & Infusions

Culinary

The intensely fragrant petals can be used to make rose water, rose tea, or to garnish desserts and salads. The damask scent suggests culinary-grade aromatic properties, though petals should not have been treated with pesticides. [source]

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Traditional Rose Medicine

Medicinal

Historically, moss roses and damask roses have been used in traditional herbal medicine for their astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, often as a tea or infusion for digestive support and skin health. [source]

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Cut Flowers & Fragrance

Household

William Lobb's intensely perfumed blooms are excellent for cutting and displaying indoors, naturally fragrance whole rooms, and are popular for wedding bouquets and romantic arrangements. [source]

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Dried Flowers & Potpourri

Craft

The blooms and aromatic sepals can be dried for use in potpourri, sachets, and dried floral arrangements, retaining their distinctive damask fragrance for months. [source]

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Pollinator & Wildlife Support

Wildlife

The abundant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. The hips that form later in the season provide valuable food for birds and wildlife in fall and winter. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

William Lobb is not harvested for food or material yield, but rather enjoyed for its fragrant blooms. Cut flowers in early morning when buds are still dewy and sepals are mossy for best scent and vase life. Cut just above a 5-leaflet leaf node. Flowers last 4-7 days in a vase with fresh water and floral food. Leave some blooms on the plant to develop decorative hips in fall.

Fun Facts

🌱 William Lobb is also known as 'Old Velvet Moss' due to the soft, velvety texture of the moss-like glandular hairs covering its buds and sepals, which are actually specialized structures that secrete aromatic oils.
🌱 This rose was bred in 1855 by William Paul, a famous English rose breeder, and is one of the most fragrant and vigorous moss roses ever developed, capable of reaching 8-12 feet tall when trained as a climber.
🌱 The distinctive 'moss' on the buds is not actually moss at all but rather glandular bristles (trichomes) that produce a resinous, aromatic substance—the rose can have up to 100 individual glands per bud.

Gardening Terms

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

Deadhead Full Sun Hardening Off Mulch

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