South Africa® Sunbelt® Rose

South Africa® Sunbelt® Rose is an award-winning shrub rose bred to handle high heat and humidity with grace and style. The large, fully double flowers are mildly fragrant and a stunning shade of amber-yellow that does not fade. The flowers are produced throughout the summer on sturdy stems that are perfect for cutting and arranging. The Sunbelt® Rose series is grown on its own rootstock and can easily survive cold winters as well as hot summers with little damage to the top growth.

Shrub roses are the backbone of a cottage garden but also attract pollinators when planted in a kitchen garden. The compact shape and ease of care for South Africa® make it well suited to grow in containers on a deck, patio, or poolside. Roses are easier to care for than most gardeners realize and make for low-maintenance hedging along a fenceline. Seasonal mulching will help the soil retain moisture and increase drought resistance in areas that are not easily watered regularly.  

South Africa® Sunbelt® Rose Care

Plant South Africa® in a full to part sun location with well-draining soil. Roses rarely grow well in heavy clay soils. Amending this type of soil with organic compost will lighten the texture and add drainage. Provide about one inch of water a week, avoiding getting the foliage wet. Wet foliage spreads fungal and mildew diseases quickly. Fertilize with a granular slow-release feed formulated for roses and flowering shrubs. Apply one dose in early spring and another after the first flush of flowers is completed.

Pruning shrub roses is easy and only needs to be done once a year. Late in the winter, cut any dead, dying, or diseased branches back to the main stem. Cut the oldest canes to the ground to encourage fresh growth. Do not remove more than one-third  of the total growth; always make cuts just above a visible leaf bud to keep the shape tidy. When deadheading flowers, cut the stem back to one or two sets of outward-facing leaves to prevent naked branches.

South Africa® Sunbelt® Rose Spacing

South Africa® is a relatively narrow, upright shrub, maturing to 3-4 feet high and 1-2 feet wide. Space each plant about 18 inches apart, center on center when planting multiple roses. Containers with at least a 12-inch diameter are recommended for patio growing.

South Africa® Sunbelt® Rose Information