John Cabot rose
Rosa 'John Cabot'
John Cabot rose (Rosa 'John Cabot') is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6–10 ft tall and 5–6 ft wide, fast-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. A Canadian Explorer climber hardy to zone 3, with long arching canes of reddish-pink blooms. Train it on a trellis or let it arch as a big shrub; no winter protection needed here.
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Rosa 'John Cabot'
- Variety / cultivar
- John Cabot
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 6–10 ft tall and 5–6 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~6 ft apart (4 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hedge use
- Privacy screen
- Bloom length
- Reblooms
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- low
- Bloom color
- red, pink
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer, late summer
- Pollinator value
- moderate
Things to know before you plant
- ThornyIt is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
Common problems on the Front Range
- Aphids
- Blackspot and powdery mildew
- Japanese beetle
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Give it deep, regular water the first two seasons and steady moisture after; mulch to keep the roots cool and moist.
- Pruning: moderate.
Frequently asked questions
- Is John Cabot rose good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, John Cabot rose is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting John Cabot rose?
- The main things to know: It is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas.
- How big does John Cabot rose get?
- It matures to about 6–10 ft tall and 5–6 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant John Cabot rose?
- Space John Cabot rose about 6 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 4 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is John Cabot rose hardy on the Front Range?
- John Cabot rose is hardy in USDA 3–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does John Cabot rose need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does John Cabot rose grow?
- John Cabot rose is a fast-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is John Cabot rose native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is John Cabot rose deer-resistant?
- No. John Cabot rose is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is John Cabot rose prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- John Cabot rose can be affected by aphids and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
- Is John Cabot rose a good hedge plant?
- Yes, as a screen. John Cabot rose is well suited to a privacy screen or windbreak rather than a tightly clipped formal hedge.
- How long does John Cabot rose bloom?
- John Cabot rose reblooms through the season, especially if you deadhead spent flowers on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
