How to Grow and Care for Robbie Rose

The ‘Mister Lincoln’ rose is a hybrid tea variety, renowned for its large, deep red blooms and a powerful fragrance. Its long stems and rich, velvety flower texture make it a stunning garden specimen and a favorite for cut floral arrangements. This rose offers a timeless appeal with its combination of vibrant color and intense, classic damask scent.

Identifying the Mister Lincoln Rose

The most defining feature of the ‘Mister Lincoln’ rose is its blooms. The flowers are a deep, velvety crimson-red that holds well without significant fading under the sun. These large, high-centered blossoms can reach up to five inches in diameter and are composed of 25 to 40 petals, giving them a full and classic hybrid tea form. The petals have a velvety texture that enhances the richness of their wine-red coloration.

Complementing the visual appeal is a strong and pleasant fragrance. The scent is a classic damask perfume, a rich aroma that is a hallmark of old-fashioned roses. This powerful fragrance makes it an ideal plant for placement near patios, walkways, or windows where the scent can be enjoyed. The blooms are typically borne singly on long, sturdy stems, which contributes to their popularity as cut flowers.

The bush has a vigorous and upright growth habit, typically reaching a height of three to six feet and a spread of about two to three feet. This tall, narrow form makes it suitable for the back of a border or as a specimen plant. New leaves often emerge with a dark red tint before maturing into a leathery, dark matte green, providing a handsome backdrop for the red flowers.

Planting and Growing Conditions

Successful cultivation begins with proper site selection. This variety is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 10 and tolerates a range of climates, including heat. For optimal health and prolific blooming, it requires a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Proper air circulation is also beneficial for preventing common fungal diseases.

The ideal soil for this rose is fertile, moist, and well-draining. Since roses thrive in soil rich in organic matter, amending heavy clay or sandy soils with compost is recommended to improve texture and fertility. The soil should retain moisture without becoming waterlogged, as good drainage is important for root health. A slightly acidic soil pH is generally preferred.

When planting a container-grown or bare-root rose, dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball. For bare-root plants, create a mound of soil in the center of the hole to spread the roots over. The graft union—the swollen knob on the lower stem—should be positioned at ground level in warmer climates, or one to two inches below ground level in colder regions for winter protection. Space plants 24 to 36 inches apart to ensure good air circulation as they mature.

Essential Care Practices

Newly planted roses require more frequent watering to help them establish a strong root system. For established plants, deep and infrequent watering is the best practice, as soaking the soil encourages roots to grow deeper and makes the plant more resilient. Water should be applied directly to the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry, which helps minimize the risk of fungal diseases like black spot.

Fertilizing during the growing season will support vigorous growth and a continuous display of flowers. Apply a balanced, rose-specific fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins. Subsequent applications can be made throughout the growing season according to the product’s instructions, stopping in late summer to allow the plant’s new growth to harden off before winter. Always water the plant thoroughly before and after applying fertilizer to prevent root burn.

Pruning is best performed in late winter or early spring, just as the buds begin to swell. The goal is to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing canes to improve the plant’s structure and air circulation. Healthy canes should be cut back by one-third to two-thirds, making each cut at a 45-degree angle about a quarter-inch above an outward-facing bud. Throughout the blooming season, removing spent flowers, a practice known as deadheading, will encourage the plant to produce more blooms.