Queen Elizabeth rose
Rosa 'Queen Elizabeth'
Queen Elizabeth rose (Rosa 'Queen Elizabeth') is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 4–6 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun. The classic tall grandiflora: clear-pink, high-centered blooms on long cutting stems. Hardier than a hybrid tea, but it appreciates a protected spot and a deep winter mulch here.
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Rosa 'Queen Elizabeth'
- Variety / cultivar
- Queen Elizabeth
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 4–6 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~4 ft apart (3 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hedge use
- Informal hedge or screen
- Bloom length
- Reblooms
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–9
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- 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
- pink
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer, late summer, early fall
- Pollinator value
- low
Things to know before you plant
- ThornyIt is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- low
- 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 Queen Elizabeth rose good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Queen Elizabeth rose is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Queen Elizabeth rose?
- The main things to know: It is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas.
- How big does Queen Elizabeth rose get?
- It matures to about 4–6 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Queen Elizabeth rose?
- Space Queen Elizabeth rose about 4 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 3 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Queen Elizabeth rose hardy on the Front Range?
- Queen Elizabeth rose is hardy in USDA 5–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does Queen Elizabeth rose need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Queen Elizabeth rose grow?
- Queen Elizabeth rose is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Queen Elizabeth rose native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Queen Elizabeth rose deer-resistant?
- No. Queen Elizabeth rose is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Queen Elizabeth rose prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Queen Elizabeth 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 Queen Elizabeth rose a good hedge plant?
- Yes, as an informal hedge. Queen Elizabeth rose works best as a relaxed hedge or screen kept to its natural form rather than sheared into a tight box.
- How long does Queen Elizabeth rose bloom?
- Queen Elizabeth 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.
