When Are Cabbage Roses in Season?

In home gardening, the time when cabbage roses are in season varies by climate and even from year to year, but they generally bloom April through May or June. They're an "old rose" and these garden roses generally bloom only once per season. Cabbage roses, also known as ​Rosa centifolia​, are perennials in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 5 through 9. Florists consider cabbage roses in season from spring to early autumn. It's particularly helpful to know the season when cabbage roses bloom when planning flowers for a wedding or other special event.

The exact ​Rosa centifolia​ blooming season varies. Although they generally bloom in spring, in some locations they usually peak in midsummer. The blooming period can vary widely from year to year due to climate factors, even when they're tended by professional gardeners.

For ordering special-event flowers, roses in season can save you money since they're readily available. The fairly long blooming season of florist cabbage roses makes them a relative bargain. They're still in season when spring flowers are at a premium. These roses have a strong fragrance so you should avoid these types of flowers as table flowers if any of your guests is sensitive to floral fragrances.

Cabbage roses, also called Provence roses, produce a profusion of petals. The bushes grow up to 48 inches tall and need to be spaced 36 to 48 inches apart. They grow thorny canes, and the weight of their blooms causes the canes to bow outward, so giving them plenty of room reduces the risk of bruised blooms. When growing roses at home, they require full sun to perform their best and prefer a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Water them deeply and regularly to encourage deep root development and healthy growth.

Healthy cabbage rose bushes put forth an abundance of exceptionally large rose blooms. If soil-test results point to the need for fertilizer, fertilize cabbage roses with fertilizer formulated for roses, usually labeled as rose fertilizer. Water the roses the day before fertilizing to reduce the risk of burning the rose bushes.

Apply the fertilizer monthly when temperatures are at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit, generally April to August or according to the package instructions. Move the mulch and sprinkle 3/4 cup granular fertilizer around the drip line, which is the perimeter of the bush growth.

Rake the fertilizer lightly into the soil with your fingertips. Water the roses again. Stop fertilizing them by mid-August to prepare them for winter dormancy.

Cabbage roses bloom on the previous year's wood. Prune roses at the end of their blooming season, generally in the summer, depending on local conditions. Clean pruning shears with alcohol between bushes to reduce the risk of transferring any pests or diseases.

Prune short canes by about 2 inches, and cut off a third of the length of long canes. Prune off any dead, distorted or weak canes. Make the cut on the healthy part of the cane, several inches below the affected area.

There are a variety of rose colors, so they often mean different things. When you pick a rose, you can pick one based on their beauty, but it's important to know what the color means. Roses symbolize love, honor, devotion, wisdom, timelessness, passion and more.

The meaning of the cabbage flower is actually an ambassador of love. Under the Provence rose, this means "my heart is in flames." Cabbage rose can often signify the strength of love and depth of passion for another person.

Besides its beautiful appearance, the cabbage rose is known for its beautiful scent. Cabbage roses are sometimes used in perfumes because the rose produces a sweet, light scent that is often characterized as honey like. The blossoms of cabbage roses can be harvested into rose oil. They're often used as wedding roses in bouquets and in centerpieces.