Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F
The Cinco de Mayo Rose in my landscape produces flowers throughout the warm season. Depending on the temperature, the flowers can range from bright orange fading to lavender or deep orange to orange-red fading to a deeper lavender. Definitely a conversation piece!

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Planting
Plant the Cinco de Mayo Rose in a location that provides well-drained soil and all day sun to morning sun with afternoon shade. Roses need the morning sun because it dries dew from their leaves, prohibiting development of fungus and disease.

To plant this rose, dig a hole no deeper than the root ball and two to three times the width of the root ball and fill it with water. If the hole drains within a few hours, you have good drainage. If the water is still standing 12 hours later, improve the drainage in your bed, perhaps by establishing a raised bed or mound. Dig the planting hole two to three times the width and several inches deeper than the root ball. Turn and break up the soil removed from the planting hole. If the native soil is dense, compacted or heavy clay, mix in a organic compost or soil amendment at a 50/50 ratio with the native soil removed from the planting hole. Remove your plant from its container and carefully but loosen the root ball. Set the plant in the hole you've prepared, making sure the top edge of the root ball is slightly above the soil level to allow for settling. Pull your backfill soil mixture around the root ball in the hole, tamping as you go to remove air pockets. Then water thoroughly and cover with a one to two-inch layer of shredded wood mulch. Water regularly as needed to keep soil damp but not consistently wet or soggy.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Pruning
Prune the Cinco de Mayo Rose heavily in early spring, just before or after new growth begins to emerge. At this time, cut the shrub back to about 15-18" above the ground. This ensures that the plant will have a good habit and healthy blooms throughout the season. To encourage heavier bloom and a fuller shrub, you can prune lightly throughout the active growth season to remove spent flowers. Discontinue pruning about 2 months before typical first frost date in your area.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Feeding
I fertilize shrub roses with a mild, natural plant food in early spring when new growth begins to emerge and then about every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the season. I stop fertilizing them about two months before the first frost date. Frequent fertilization promotes increased blooming and deeper green foliage. Alternatively, you could use a specialty rose food containing a systemic insecticide. Follow instructions for use on product label.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Problems
When spaced and cared for properly, this is a very disease resistant rose in most areas of the United States.