From early summer on, Old Blush opens clusters of soft pink flowers on upright canes that barely have a thorn. It is a China rose, and it has been grown in gardens for centuries because it keeps flowering when other roses stop.
What Is the Old Blush Rose?
Old Blush is an antique China rose, grown in China for centuries before it reached Europe in 1752. Breeders later used it so heavily that it is often called the mother of all repeat-blooming roses.
As a shrub it grows upright to somewhat arching, usually 4 to 6 feet tall. Its width runs 4 to 5 feet, so it fills a corner without sprawling across a bed.
The flowers are semi-double, 2 to 3 inches across, and open silvery pink. They deepen with age and gather in clusters of 5. The canes are nearly prickle-free, which makes pruning and cutting easy on the hands.
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Roses in your state
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Where Does the Old Blush Rose Grow Best?
Old Blush is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, and 10b. How it behaves depends on how mild winter gets.
- Gulf Coast: In Texas, Louisiana and coastal Florida, winters are mild enough that the rose can bloom into winter.
- Ohio River Valley and southern Illinois: Check your local USDA plant hardiness zone before planting.
- Upper Midwest and Northern Plains: Check your local USDA plant hardiness zone before planting.
The state selector just below this section takes you to the page for your own state, with its local months.
How to Care for the Old Blush Rose Through the Year
Waking Up in Spring
As the buds swell and leaves unfold, the rose starts building the new wood that will carry its flowers. Look over the canes now. Any that stay brown and brittle while the others leaf out are dead wood and can be cut back to green tissue.
Pruning
Late winter is the time to prune, before growth starts. Remove dead or diseased canes first, then shorten the remaining canes by 1/3 to hold the size in check and encourage a bushier plant.
Old Blush repeat-blooms throughout the season.
Blooming
Flowers come freely from summer to frost, so the show is long rather than one big flush. Cut spent clusters back to a healthy leaf to keep the plant tidy, and leave plenty of foliage behind to feed the next round of buds.
Summer
Summer is mostly watering and watching. Soak the soil at the base regularly rather than sprinkling the leaves, since wet foliage invites the fungal spots this rose occasionally gets. A layer of mulch keeps the roots cooler and the soil evenly moist.
Fall
Flowers keep coming until frost, so there is no need to rush cleanup. Once leaves drop, rake them up from around the base. Fallen foliage can carry fungal spores into next season, and a clean bed starts the year better. Hold off pruning until late winter.
Winter
Where winters are mild, the rose may flower through the cold months. If tips die back, trim them in late winter along with the rest of the pruning.
Old Blush Rose Diseases and Weak Points
Old Blush is listed as a disease-resistant rose, and it is known as tough and easy to grow. Its toughness and disease resistance can make it approachable for beginners.
It is not immune, though. Fungal problems can show up occasionally, most often when leaves stay wet or air barely moves through the plant.
| Threat | How Old Blush handles it |
|---|---|
| Fungal diseases | Can appear occasionally, mostly in damp, crowded conditions |
| General disease pressure | Listed as disease resistant |
| Cold winters | Listed for USDA plant hardiness zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, and 10b |
Water at the soil line and remove diseased canes during the late-winter pruning.
Is the Old Blush Rose Right for Your Yard?
Old Blush suits a yard with room for a medium shrub and a gardener who wants steady color without fuss. It fits a mixed border, a foundation planting or a corner beside a path. It is a poor match for very cold sites or for a bed that needs a tight, compact plant.
- Check the plant tag for the mature size before picking the spot, since its upright-to-arching habit needs elbow room.
- Open your state’s page on this site to find the late-winter pruning months where you live, and mark them on the calendar.
Common Questions
Does the Old Blush Rose Have a Scent?
Yes, a mild one. The fragrance is often described as apple, soft enough to notice when you lean in rather than from across the yard.
Why Does the Flower Color Change?
The flowers start silvery pink and darken as they age. Stronger sunlight also deepens the color, so a plant in full sun often looks richer than one in partial shade.
Is Old Blush a Good Rose for Beginners?
It is a tough, easy shrub with almost no thorns and a long bloom season, so mistakes tend to be forgiving. Plant it in sun, water at the base and prune in late winter.