The Champion™ Sunblush Rose

Size

PPastel peach, pink, and lemon tones melt together on every petal, giving The Champion™ Sunblush Rose a sunrise glow. This fragrant shrub rose, Rosa 'Meititika', opens from yellow buds brushed with pink, then shifts through soft yellow, pastel pink edging, and deeper pink as the blooms age. The flowers are full, with about 50 to 55 petals, and repeat from late spring through summer. We use it where people walk past often, because the fragrance and color changes are easiest to appreciate up close.This rose grows about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide with a rounded habit that fits borders, beds, and larger containers. Its glossy green foliage supports the flowers without making the plant feel bulky. The Champion™ Sunblush Rose has good disease resistance and handles heat and short dry periods once established. Plant it as a sunny border accent, a small flowering hedge, or a patio container rose where its changing bloom color can carry the planting through warm weather.The Champion™ Sunblush Rose CarePlant The Champion™ Sunblush Rose in full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct light each day. It grows best in average to fertile, well-drained soil with steady moisture and a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Avoid wet, compacted spots where water lingers around the roots.Water deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry, aiming at the root zone instead of wetting the leaves. Fertilize in early spring with a rose fertilizer or balanced slow-release fertilizer, then feed again during active bloom if the plant needs a boost. This deciduous rose goes dormant in winter and returns with fresh growth in spring.Deadhead spent blooms to encourage the next flush and keep the shrub looking clean. Prune in late winter or early spring after the worst cold has passed, removing dead canes and shaping the plant lightly. In colder zones, add mulch over the root zone for winter protection, keeping it away from the crown.The Champion™ Sunblush Rose SpacingSpace The Champion™ Sunblush Rose 3 to 4 feet apart in borders, mass plantings, or low hedges. Use a 16- to 20-inch container with drainage for one plant, and choose a heavier pot if the site is windy. It grows well with salvia, agapanthus, yarrow, or boxwoods in sunny plantings with open airflow and well-drained soil.