How to grow Culinary Rose in Australia
Plant a culinary rose in full sun in deep, rich, free-draining soil with good airflow around it. Water deeply at the base rather than over the leaves to reduce disease.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 100 cm
- Time to harvest: 365 days (about 1 year)
- Time to germinate: 21 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | May to August | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | May to August | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | May to August | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | May to August | |
| Adelaide & SA | May to August | |
| Perth & WA | May to August | |
| Tasmania | June to August | Plant bare-root Jun to Aug. Roses love Tasmanian summers - excellent petals and hips. |
| Canberra & ACT | May to August | |
| North Queensland | May to August | |
| Darwin & Top End | May to August |
Varieties
- Rosa rugosa (Rugosa Rose)
- Damask Rose
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick blooms when newly opened and most fragrant for petals, or leave spent flowers to form hips. Cut stems above an outward leaf to encourage more flowers.
Storage
Dry petals and store in a sealed jar for months. Rose hips freeze well.