How to Grow Winston Churchill Rose
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Winston Churchill Rose
Rosa 'Winston Churchill'
flowerWinston Churchill is a hybrid tea rose known for its deep red to crimson blooms with a rich fragrance. This award-winning cultivar produces large, full flowers on long stems ideal for cutting. It's a vigorous grower that blooms repeatedly throughout the growing season.
When should you plant Winston Churchill Rose in your zone?
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Example Winston Churchill Rose timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Winston Churchill Rose
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 Winston Churchill Rose blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Winston Churchill Rose dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5b-9b, with best performance in zones 6-8
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Get my Winston Churchill Rose timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
4-6 weeksNewly planted rose focuses on root development with modest foliage growth
Water gently and regularly; avoid fertilizing first 4-6 weeks; stake if needed for support; remove any flower buds to encourage rooting
Vegetative Growth
6-8 weeksPlant develops strong canes and full foliage coverage, 2-3 feet tall
Begin light fertilizing with balanced rose fertilizer; deadhead spent blooms; prune out any weak or crossing canes; maintain consistent watering
Budbreak & Flowering
6-8 weeks per flush; repeatingLarge terminal buds form on cane tips; flowers open to reveal deep red, full double blooms (40+ petals)
Apply rose fertilizer every 4-6 weeks; remove any diseased leaves; provide afternoon shade in hot climates (above 90°F); cut flowers early morning for longest vase life
Summer Maintenance
8-10 weeksPlant continues cycles of growth and blooming; may slow slightly during extreme heat
Increase watering in heat; mulch to maintain soil temperature and moisture; watch for spider mites and powdery mildew; provide afternoon shade if in zone 8+
Fall & Winter Dormancy
12+ weeksBlooming slows as days shorten; canes harden off; foliage may turn reddish
Reduce fertilizing in late summer; do not deadhead last flush to encourage hip formation and dormancy; prune in late winter; apply winter protection in zone 5-6
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water stream, insecticidal soap, or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
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Increase humidity and mist foliage; apply neem oil or sulfur dust; spray with miticide if severe; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen
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Prune out affected canes; apply insecticidal soap early in season; encourage beneficial parasitic wasps
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Hand-pick in early morning; use pheromone traps nearby; apply neem oil or pyrethrin; avoid using systemic insecticides that harm pollinators
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Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur or neem oil at first sign; remove heavily infected leaves
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Remove infected leaves promptly; water at soil level only; improve air circulation; apply fungicide in humid conditions; avoid wetting foliage
Uses
Rose petals for tea & cuisine
CulinaryWinston Churchill rose petals can be used to make fragrant herbal tea, infused in syrups, or as edible garnish for desserts and cocktails. Ensure the rose has not been treated with pesticides if intended for consumption. [source]
Cut flower arrangements
HouseholdThese exhibition-quality blooms are prized for wedding bouquets, formal arrangements, and premium floral displays. The long stems and deep color make them ideal for traditional rose arrangements. [source]
Fragrance & perfumery
HouseholdWinston Churchill roses have a rich, classic rose fragrance used in perfume making and rose water preparation. Dried petals retain fragrance and can be used in potpourri. [source]
Pollinator garden plant
WildlifeThe accessible center florets attract bees and beneficial insects despite the double petal form, supporting garden biodiversity. [source]
Flower pressing & drying
CraftThese full blooms can be pressed in books or dried for use in crafts, scrapbooking, and floral arrangements. The deep color holds well through drying. [source]
Harvest Tips
Cut flowers in early morning when stems are fully hydrated, using sharp pruners at a 45-degree angle. Cut above an outward-facing 5-leaflet leaf. Remove lower leaves below waterline. Recut stems and change water every 2-3 days for 10-14 day vase life. For garden display, deadhead spent blooms by cutting back to the first outward-facing 5-leaflet leaf to encourage continuous blooming.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Winston Churchill rose was introduced in 1965 and named to honor the former British Prime Minister. It won the Royal National Rose Society's President's Award.
- 🌱 This rose is known for its exceptional fragrance—a trait sometimes lost in modern rose breeding—making it a favorite among fragrance enthusiasts who prefer old-garden rose qualities in a modern hybrid.
- 🌱 The rose's deep crimson color is so vibrant that it was originally marketed as a 'symbol of prosperity' in Asian markets, where red roses hold special significance.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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