The ‘True Love Rose’ is a popular and robust cultivar often classified as a Hybrid Tea or a modern Floribunda, celebrated for its high-petal count and deep crimson-red blooms. This variety offers a classic, strong rose fragrance. Unlike many older Hybrid Tea varieties, this rose has been bred for improved disease resistance, making it a manageable option for gardeners. Its upright, compact growth habit makes it well-suited for both garden beds and larger containers, providing long-stemmed flowers perfect for cutting. Achieving the continuous, abundant display of its velvety blossoms requires a cultivation approach tailored to its specific needs.
Site Selection and Planting
Selecting the correct site for your True Love Rose is the foundational step for its long-term health. This rose requires a location that receives a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily to maximize energy production for flower development. The ideal soil should be loamy, rich in organic matter, and possess excellent drainage to prevent root rot.
The soil’s pH should be slightly acidic, ranging between 6.0 and 6.5, which facilitates optimal nutrient uptake. Before planting, amend the native soil with well-aged compost or manure to improve structure and fertility. Dig a planting hole that is approximately twice the diameter of the root ball but only as deep.
If planting a grafted rose, position the graft union—the swollen knob where the canes meet the rootstock—at or slightly above the surrounding soil line in mild climates. In regions with consistently cold winters, setting the graft union about one to two inches below the soil provides a protective layer of insulation. Backfill the hole with the amended soil, gently tamping it down to remove any air pockets. The newly planted rose must be thoroughly watered immediately after planting to help the soil settle and establish good contact with the root system.
Routine Care: Watering and Fertilizing
Once established, the True Love Rose thrives with a consistent and deep watering regimen, which encourages the development of a robust root structure. Established plants typically require about one inch of water per week, delivered slowly and deeply to saturate the entire root zone. It is beneficial to water at the base of the plant using a soaker hose or drip system to keep the foliage dry, which significantly reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
Avoid frequent, shallow watering, as this encourages surface roots that are more vulnerable to drought and heat stress. A good indicator of watering need is when the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Water application should be done early in the day, allowing any accidental moisture on the leaves to evaporate completely before evening.
A two-stage fertilization program supports the rose’s continuous blooming cycle throughout the growing season. Begin in early spring, just as new growth emerges, with a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 blend, to stimulate strong cane and leaf development. Once the rose begins to set buds and flower, switch to a formula with a higher concentration of phosphorus and potassium to support flower production. This secondary fertilizer can be applied monthly according to product directions, continuing until late summer. Ceasing fertilization in late summer signals the plant to slow its growth and harden off its canes in preparation for the dormant season.
Seasonal Pruning and Dormancy Preparation
The major structural pruning for the True Love Rose should be performed in late winter or very early spring, just before the leaf buds begin to swell. The primary goal of this seasonal cut is to remove old, damaged, or crossing canes and to open up the center of the plant for improved air circulation and light penetration. Canes should be cut back by roughly one-third to one-half of their height, making a clean, angled cut about one-quarter inch above a healthy bud that faces outward.
During the active blooming season, a practice known as deadheading is necessary to encourage subsequent waves of flowers. This involves removing spent, faded blooms by cutting the stem back to the first set of five leaflets. Cutting to a five-leaflet leaf, rather than a smaller three-leaflet leaf, ensures you are pruning back to a point strong enough to produce a new, vigorous flowering stem.
For True Love Roses grown in colder climates, preparing for dormancy is a protective measure to ensure the survival of the graft union and the lower canes. Once the plant has experienced a few hard frosts and the leaves have dropped, gather additional soil or compost to mound around the base of the plant. This mound should be eight to twelve inches high, acting as an insulating blanket for the most vulnerable part of the rose. A rose collar, which is a circular wire or plastic cage, can be placed around the base and filled with straw or mulch for further protection, then removed once consistent spring temperatures return.
Managing Pests and Diseases
Gardeners should monitor for common rose ailments. Proper cultural practices, such as ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering, are the first line of defense against fungal issues.
The most common pests and diseases include:
- Black spot: Appears as dark, circular lesions on the leaves, causing them to yellow and drop prematurely.
- Powdery mildew: Presents as a white, dusty growth on the foliage.
- Aphids: Small, soft-bodied, sap-sucking insects that cluster on buds and new shoots, often causing distorted growth. A forceful jet of water from a hose can physically dislodge these pests.
- Japanese beetles: Recognized by their metallic green and copper bodies, they chew large, ragged holes in the leaves, often skeletonizing the tissue, and also consume the flower petals.
For targeted treatment, horticultural oils like neem oil or insecticidal soaps can be applied to control soft-bodied pests like aphids. In cases of severe infestation, a systemic insecticide applied to the soil can offer longer-lasting protection against internal feeders, though this should be used cautiously to protect beneficial insects.