Hybrid rugosa rose (Rosa 'Morten' LINDA CAMPBELL)
Rosa 'Morten' LINDA CAMPBELL is a showy Hybrid rugosa rose boasting fragrant, bright red blooms from June to frost. Ideal for hedges.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Rosa ‘Morten’ LINDA CAMPBELL, a vigorous Hybrid rugosa rose, offers exceptional value in the landscape due to its consistent performance and striking color. This shrub is noted for producing clusters of fragrant, bright red, semi-double blooms starting in June and continuing through the summer until the first frost. Its leathery, medium green foliage provides excellent texture year-round.
This robust variety typically spans 4-6 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for structure and screening. As a hardy shrub rose, Rosa ‘Morten’ LINDA CAMPBELL requires less intensive care than many hybrid tea varieties while rewarding gardeners with superior bloom repeat.
Gardeners appreciate this plant for its multi-season interest—from the showy flowers to the texture provided by its rugosa-type background. Whether used as a specimen or planted generously for hedging, Rosa ‘Morten’ LINDA CAMPBELL stands out as a reliable and beautiful component of the cottage garden aesthetic.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-6 ft
- Spread: 5-8 ft
- Bloom Time: June to frost
- Bloom Description: Red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
For the best flowering and disease resistance with Rosa ‘Morten’ LINDA CAMPBELL, plant in full sun, although it tolerates part shade. Ideal growing conditions involve medium moisture, slightly acidic, well-drained garden loams. Plant during the cooler parts of the season when possible.
Water needs dictate deep and regular soaks, preferably in the mornings, ensuring you avoid overhead watering to mitigate foliar diseases. Good air circulation is vital for maintaining vigorous growth. Apply a summer mulch to conserve root moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the root zone cool.
Deadhead or remove spent flowers regularly to encourage the excellent repeat bloom this Hybrid rugosa rose is known for. Always remove and destroy diseased leaves during the growing season, and perform a thorough cleanup of fallen leaves in the winter. Pruning should be done as needed in late winter to early spring to maintain shape and health.
Ensure that the crowns receive winter protection if you are gardening in colder winter areas, such as zone 3 regions. This attention to cultural detail ensures that your Rosa ‘Morten’ LINDA CAMPBELL thrives for years.
Landscape Uses
The structural size and vigorous growth habit of Rosa ‘Morten’ LINDA CAMPBELL make it an exceptionally effective screen or informal Hedge. It can also be successfully grown as a specimen plant where its fragrant red flowers can be appreciated up close. Consider planting these shrubs in small groups within borders, along foundations, or within dedicated rose gardens for a classic cottage garden look.
When planning companions, select plants that also thrive in full sun and medium moisture conditions. Good pairings include hardy perennials like Lavender (for fragrance contrast) or ornamental grasses that provide textural variety behind the continuous bloom of the rose.
For a bold statement, mass planting the Hybrid rugosa rose creates a dense, colorful protective barrier. Unlike some fussier roses, its hardiness allows it to anchor perennial borders that require low fuss once established.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
Noteworthy Characteristics
Rosa ‘Morten’ LINDA CAMPBELL is a vigorous shrub with arching canes, characteristic of high quality Hybrid rugosa rose lineage. It features clusters of highly fragrant, bright red, semi-double blooms up to 3 inches across, providing excellent repeat flowering from June through summer. The leathery, semi-glossy foliage has a wrinkled appearance, referencing the “rugosa” designation.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Roses, including Rosa ‘Morten’ LINDA CAMPBELL, are susceptible to several common fungal issues such as black spot, powdery mildew, and rust. In humid climates with regular rainfall, the risk increases significantly. The first line of defense involves employing good cultural practices, such as proper watering and ensuring good air circulation around the shrub.
To actively manage disease, regular preventative fungicide applications throughout the growing season are often necessary, especially if problems have appeared historically in your garden. Equally important is diligent sanitation; remove and destroy diseased foliage during the season and conduct a thorough cleanup of all fallen leaves in the dormant period.
Insect pests such as aphids, scale, and spider mites can also pose challenges. Consult with local horticultural experts for region-specific recommendations on treating these common rose antagonists, ensuring you select treatment methods compatible with your specific goals for this beautiful Hybrid rugosa rose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Hybrid rugosa rose suitable for?
Rosa ‘Morten’ LINDA CAMPBELL is hardy and suitable for growing across USDA Zones 3 through 8.
How large does Rosa ‘Morten’ LINDA CAMPBELL grow?
This shrub typically reaches a height between 3 and 6 feet, with a spread ranging from 5 to 8 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Rosa ‘Morten’ LINDA CAMPBELL need?
For optimal flowering and the best chance of disease resistance, this rose requires full sun exposure.
When does Rosa ‘Morten’ LINDA CAMPBELL bloom?
The Hybrid rugosa rose blooms profusely starting in June and continues throughout the summer until frost, offering vibrant red flowers.
Conclusion
Rosa ‘Morten’ LINDA CAMPBELL is a highly desirable shrub, prized for its continuous fragrant bloom display and impressive hardiness as a Hybrid rugosa rose. Its structural form makes it excellent for hedging while its easy-to-manage nature appeals to many home gardeners. Evaluate your site conditions and plan to plant this striking red-flowering specimen during the appropriate cool season.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate neighbors is key to managing the medium maintenance needs of Rosa ‘Morten’ LINDA CAMPBELL. Look for drought-tolerant perennials that also prefer full sun, which will minimize differences in watering schedules. Plants like Catmint (Nepeta), Russian Sage (Perovskia), or hardy Daylilies (Hemerocallis) generally share structural soil and sun needs.
Avoid dense planting immediately around the base of the rose, as this can impede the vital air circulation required to keep the foliage healthy. Companions should not aggressively compete for water or nutrients. The bright red flowers of this rose look striking against silvery or deep blue foliage, which can also help visually mask minor fungal spots.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Early Spring (Late Winter Pruning): Perform necessary pruning just before new growth begins to shape the shrub and remove dead wood. This is also the best time to apply pre-emergent weed controls or slow-release fertilizers.
Late Spring/Early Summer: Begin consistent deep watering practices, especially if rainfall is scarce leading into the bloom period. Start removing spent flowers promptly to maximize the summer repeat bloom potential of Rosa ‘Morten’ LINDA CAMPBELL.
Mid-Summer: Apply a fresh layer of mulch if the previous year’s layer has degraded, ensuring the root zone stays cool and moist through the hottest weeks. Monitor closely for initial signs of common rose diseases mentioned in the potential problems section.
Fall: Conduct a thorough cleanup of all fallen leaves around the base of the plant to reduce overwintering disease spores. If using winter protection, apply mulch or other physical barriers only after hard frosts have occurred.
