Double Delight Rose
Rosa 'Double Delight'
Height
90–120 cm
Flower size
12–14 cm
Bloom time
June – October
Light
Full Sun Only
Watering
Regular (10-12 L)
Hardiness
Zone 6 (up to -23°C)
Fragrance
Very strong, sweet, spicy-fruity
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Stunning strong fragrance that can be smelled from several meters away
- Unique coloring: no two flowers on the bush are exactly alike
- Blooms abundantly and almost continuously all summer
- Long vase life, filling the room with scent
Disadvantages
- Poor rain resistance (flowers may rot)
- Prone to powdery mildew and black spot
- Bush can look sprawling and untidy without proper pruning
- In shade, flowers fade and lose their red margins
Use in Landscape Design
Due to its powerful fragrance, this variety should be planted near walkways or seating areas: by the entrance, near a gazebo, or a bench. In a rose garden, it is best placed in the middle row, hiding its 'legs' with lower plants like Alchemilla or Gypsophila, as the bottom of the bush often goes bare.
Variety Description and the Color Phenomenon
Double Delight is the perfect Hybrid Tea rose. The center is creamy-white, and the petal edges are rich raspberry or strawberry-red. The variety's uniqueness lies in the fact that the red pigment appears only under the influence of UV light. The more sun the flower receives, the wider and brighter the red margin. In cloudy weather or a greenhouse, the rose may remain almost white.
Planting: Finding the Sun
For Double Delight, the rule is: sun, sun, and more sun. It loses its decorative value in partial shade. The site must be well-ventilated so foliage dries quickly after rain (fungal prevention). Soil should be fertile loam. Do not plant bushes too close together — this variety needs space (60–70 cm spacing) to avoid disease outbreaks.
Watering and Fertilization
Standard watering — 1 bucket per bush once a week. However, the variety is very demanding regarding nutrition. For bright color contrast, it needs micronutrients (especially magnesium and potassium). It's recommended to alternate soil feeding with foliar sprays of chelated fertilizers every 2 weeks during budding.
Pruning and Fruit Removal
In spring, perform moderate pruning, leaving 5–7 buds per shoot. An important summer care tip: Double Delight is prone to setting hips (fruit) after blooming. If not removed, the bush will stop flowering. Cut off faded flowers immediately, taking 2-3 leaves down the stem.
Winter Preparation
The variety winters reasonably well but is sensitive to thaws. Mounding is mandatory. Use a frame for air-dry cover. Remove all leaves before covering, as they host the spores of the fungal diseases this variety is susceptible to.
Diseases and Pests
Its 'Achilles' heel' is powdery mildew (white coating on leaves and buds). Prevention is a must! Start fungicide treatments ('Topas', 'Thiovit Jet') as early as June. Also watch out for aphids, which love the sweet sap of this rose's young shoots.