General Culture:

Best grown in medium moisture, slightly acidic, well-drained garden loams in full sun to part shade. Best flowering and disease resistance generally occur in full sun, however. Water deeply and regularly (mornings are best). Avoid overhead watering. Good air circulation promotes vigorous and healthy growth and helps control foliar diseases. Summer mulch helps retain moisture, keeps roots cool and discourages weeds. Remove spent flowers to encourage rebloom. Crowns may need winter protection in cold winter areas such as St. Louis. Remove and destroy diseased leaves from plants, as practicable, and clean up and destroy dead leaves from the ground around the plants both during the growing season and as part of a thorough cleanup during winter (dormant season). Prune as needed in late winter to early spring.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

'Sir Thomas Lipton' is a hybrid rugosa shrub rose with a vigorous, dense, upright, rounded habit. It typically grows 5-8' tall and 4-7' wide. Features fragrant, semi-double to double, pure white flowers (to 2.5" diameter) which bloom in June with an intermittent but respectable repeat bloom throughout the summer. Leathery, dark green foliage. Rugosa means wrinkled in reference to the appearance of the foliage.

Problems:

Roses are susceptible to a large number of diseases, the most common of which are black spot, powdery mildew, rust and rose rosette. Although good cultural practices are the first line of defense in disease control, regular preventative fungicide applications throughout the growing season are usually required, particularly in humid climates with regular rainfall such as the St. Louis area. 'Sir Thomas Lipton' has excellent disease resistance, however, and is a particularly good selection for humid climates. Potential insect problems include aphids, beetles, borers, scale, thrips, rose midges, leafhoppers and spider mites. Local rose associations and extension services are usually able to offer specific recommendations and advice for selecting and growing roses.

Uses:

This rose may be grown as a specimen or in small groups in borders, cottage gardens, foundations or rose gardens. Also effective as a large informal hedge.

© Missouri Botanical Garden, 2001-2010