First Prize Hybrid Tea Rose

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

5-6 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 8

The First Prize hybrid tea rose is aptly named; the large, rose-pink flowers make this plant a stellar rose for cut flower arrangements. This hybrid tea rose cultivar was first introduced in 1970 and has remained a popular selection since then for good reason. It has a full flower, with 25 to 30 petals per bloom. Stems and leaves are stout, and the First Prize does rebloom throughout the summer following its most prolific bloom time in late spring.

The showy, two-toned, pink flowers are lightly fragrant and attract bees. While the First Prize is susceptible to many of the pests and diseases common to roses, it is tough and hardy once established. Hybrid tea roses like First Prize grow fairly quickly and typically reach their mature size within three or four years. The beautiful flowers of this rose make it a candidate for a specimen planting in a protected position in a cottage garden.

First Prize Hybrid Tea Rose Care

Like other hybrid tea roses, First Prize prefers acidic, loamy, and well-drained soil. It requires ample sunlight for best growth, bloom, and disease resistance, but can tolerate light shade. A layer of organic material mulch encourages water conservation and root health. The First Prize usually requires one to two inches of water weekly during the growing season; water the soil around this rose deeply whenever the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Apply a fertilizer labeled for roses regularly from early spring to mid-summer.

The First Prize hybrid tea rose blooms on new wood, so prune in early spring to encourage new growth and maximize blooms. Remove dead, damaged, or very thin canes, and cut stronger canes by a third of their length. Remove faded and dead flowers throughout the blooming season.

First Prize Hybrid Tea Rose Spacing

The First Prize rose grows 4-6 feet tall with a similar width, so give this plant about 3 feet of space from center. Provide the rose with ample space to encourage good air flow and  minimize the potential for disease.