Princess Alexandra of Kent English Rose

Princess Alexandra of Kent English Rose is a rose of refined beauty and grace. The fully double, candy-pink flowers are large and heavy, but they don't sag and are held mostly upright on sturdy stems that are perfect for cutting and arranging. Princess Alexandra of Kent was named after Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, an accomplished gardener. The heavily scented flowers bring to mind blackberry and citrus in a kitchen garden.

This English rose is a reblooming type that continues blooming profusely until the first frost of fall. The straight, long stems make the perfect cut flower. The compact growth of the shrub works well in any garden situation, including large planters for a deck or entryway. This vigorously growing shrub is very low maintenance and highly disease resistant. 

Princess Alexandra of Kent English Rose Care

Shrub roses will tolerate just about any soil texture as long as it is exceptionally free draining. The pH should be as close to neutral as possible, and mulching yearly with organic compost or fine arborist chips will help retain moisture. Fertilizing is best done once in the spring and again as the flowers open in early summer. Choose a formulation specifically for roses or blooming shrubs. The formula should have more phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) than nitrogen (N) to support heavy flowering and strong root growth. Over-fertilizing results in excess foliage growth that attracts pests such as aphids.

English shrub roses are sturdy plants that need little maintenance to keep them looking great. Prune out any dead, diseased, or dying stems early in the spring before the foliage emerges. This keeps the shrub in shape and reduces the chance of a disease or pest attack. Cut stems back to just above a set of leaves to keep the overall shrub from becoming leggy. The height can be cut back by half if needed at this time. Deadhead regularly throughout the season to promote more flower formation. Mulch the graft union and root zone with 3-4 inches of mulch to add insulation for the winter. Keeping roses well watered through the summer helps them bloom well the next year. 

Princess Alexandra of Kent English Rose Spacing

The mature height and spread of Princess Alexandra are 4-5 feet. Allow for proper air circulation around plants by placing them 4 feet apart center on center when planting multiples. Containers need at least a 16-inch diameter and a 7-10 gallon volume. 

Princess Alexandra of Kent English Rose Information