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Double Delight Rose for Two-Tone Blooms, Legendary Fragrance, and Cut-Flower Beauty
Creamy White Blooms With Red Edges That Steal The Show
Double Delight is the rose that looks like it was painted by hand. Each large, high-centered bloom opens creamy white, then deepens with bold red edging—often intensifying as the flower matures. The result is a dramatic two-tone look that reads as classic, romantic, and “special occasion” all at once. If you want a rose that draws compliments from the driveway and looks stunning up close, Double Delight delivers that wow factor on repeat.
Sun exposure plays a role in the color show. In strong sun, the red tones typically deepen and become more pronounced, while in slightly gentler light, the blooms can stay more creamy with softer edges. Either way, the contrast is the magic: bright centers, red rims, and a bloom form that feels like a florist's rose right on the plant.
Legendary Fragrance That Makes A Garden Feel Like A Rose Garden
This is one of the most famously fragrant hybrid tea roses, and it earns that reputation. The scent is rich and sweet—exactly what most people hope for when they plant a rose. Put it near a walkway, patio, or entry where you’ll pass by it often, because this is the kind of fragrance you’ll actually notice without having to lean in and “search” for it.
Fragrance also makes Double Delight a favorite for cutting. A vase of blooms doesn’t just look beautiful—it perfumes a room. If your goal is a rose you can enjoy outdoors and bring inside, this is an easy yes. Just harvest in the morning, pick blooms that are just beginning to open, and you’ll get that classic, scented bouquet feel.
Hybrid Tea Growth That Produces Long Stems And Repeat Bloom Cycles
Double Delight is a true hybrid tea, which means it’s built for long-stem flowers and classic bloom form. It blooms in flushes from late spring into fall, giving you waves of color rather than a one-and-done show. With good sun and a steady care routine, you’ll see consistent bud development through the growing season—perfect for gardeners who love the rhythm of cutting, deadheading, and watching the next flush come on.
In the landscape, it typically grows into an upright, bushy shrub, reaching 3–5 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide. That size works well in dedicated rose beds, mixed sunny borders, or as a featured plant where you want color and fragrance at nose level. Give it a little breathing room, and it will reward you with better stems, better blooms, and a cleaner look.
Cleaner Foliage Starts With Airflow, Base Watering, And Simple Feeding
Roses do best when you set them up for success, and Double Delight is no exception. Full sun, good airflow, and watering at the base (not overhead) go a long way toward keeping foliage healthier—especially in humid conditions. A mulch ring helps stabilize moisture and reduce weeds, but keep mulch pulled back from the canes and crown so the base stays dry and airy.
Feed in early spring as growth begins, then again after the first major bloom flush to keep energy high for repeat flowering. Avoid excess nitrogen, which can push lots of leaves and fewer blooms. With smart spacing, base watering, and a steady but not heavy feeding plan, Double Delight becomes the kind of rose that looks and smells like you’ve been growing roses forever.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5-10 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 3 to 5 feet |
| Mature width: | 3 to 4 feet |
| Classification: | Hybrid Tea Rose |
| Sunlight: | Full sun |
| Bloom Time / Color | Late spring through fall; creamy white with red edges |
| Soil Condition: | Fertile, well-drained soil; slightly acidic to neutral preferred |
| Water | Medium; deep watering, allow slight dry-down between waterings |
| Wildlife Value | Attracts bees and beneficial pollinators when blooming |
| Resistance | Not reliably deer resistant; better disease performance with sun + airflow; moderate drought tolerance once established |
| Landscape Uses | Cut flower gardens, rose beds, sunny borders, patio-adjacent plantings, specimen shrub, fragrance gardens |
| Fragrance | Strong, Spicy |
How to Care for Double Delight Rose
Before you buy a Double Delight Rose, make sure to read about the recommended care instructions to keep this plant healthy and thriving.
How should I plant Double Delight Rose?
Plant the Double Delight Rose in full sun with well-drained soil and good airflow. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and set the plant so the top of the root ball sits level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with native soil, water deeply to settle, and create a shallow watering ring to guide water into the root zone. Add 2–3 inches of mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weeds, keeping mulch a few inches away from the canes. If your soil stays wet, plant slightly high or improve drainage first. Sun and drainage are the two biggest success factors for roses that bloom well and stay healthier.
How often should I water Double Delight Rose after planting?
Water deeply right after planting, then continue with a deep soak about once per week during the first growing season. In hot weather, sandy soil, or windy locations, increase to twice per week. Deep watering encourages deeper roots, which support better bloom performance and heat tolerance. After establishment, water during extended dry spells and during heavy bloom cycles. Always water at the base to keep foliage drier, which helps keep leaves cleaner. The goal is steady moisture in the root zone without keeping the soil constantly wet.
When should I fertilize Double Delight Rose?
Fertilize in early spring as new growth begins, using a rose fertilizer or a balanced slow-release fertilizer. This supports strong canes and sets the stage for heavier bloom production. Water after feeding so nutrients move into the soil rather than sitting on dry roots. Feed again after the first big bloom flush to encourage strong rebloom through summer. Avoid heavy fertilizing late in the season, which can push tender new growth when the plant should be slowing down. Consistent, moderate feeding is the secret to repeat flowering.
When and how should I prune Double Delight Rose?
Prune in late winter or early spring before growth begins. Remove dead or damaged wood first, then thin weak and crossing canes to open the center for airflow. Make clean cuts just above outward-facing buds to encourage a balanced, vase-like structure. During the season, deadhead spent blooms to promote rebloom and keep the plant tidy. Avoid harsh pruning during extreme heat. A thoughtful annual pruning and light in-season cleanup keep Double Delight producing long stems and high-quality blooms.