Hybrid tea rose (Rosa 'Mister Lincoln')
Fragrant, velvety deep red Hybrid tea rose, Rosa 'Mister Lincoln', blooms May to frost in zones 5-9. Requires medium care in full sun.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ stands out as a premier Hybrid tea rose, celebrated primarily for its intensely fragrant, large, deep velvety red blooms. This classic rose variety offers reliable flowering from late spring right up until the first frost, making it a continuous source of color and perfume in the garden. Gardeners prize this hybrid tea rose for its high-centered blooms, which are perfect for cutting and bringing indoors.
Growing Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ successfully requires dedication to standard rose care, positioning it as a medium-maintenance specimen. It thrives best when planted in locations receiving ample sunlight, which promotes the best flowering display and helps ward off common fungal issues. Its stature, typically reaching 3 to 5 feet tall, makes the stately Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ an excellent focal point in dedicated rose plantings or mixed borders.
This cultivar is a testament to the enduring appeal of the traditional florist-type rose. By providing consistent moisture and necessary pruning, you ensure that this shrub maintains vigor and continues to deliver the long stems and abundant, sweet-smelling flowers that define the best types of Hybrid tea roses.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-5 ft
- Spread: 3-4 ft
- Bloom Time: May to frost
- Bloom Description: Red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
For optimal performance, plant Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ in well-drained garden loams that are slightly acidic. While this Hybrid tea rose tolerates some dappled afternoon shade, achieving the best flower production and disease resistance relies heavily on position in full sun. The ideal time for planting is generally when conditions allow consistent soil warmth, ensuring the roots establish before the stress of summer heat.
Watering for Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ should be deep and consistent, ideally performed in the mornings to allow foliage to dry quickly, thus mitigating fungal risks. Avoid overhead watering methods entirely. A layer of summer mulch is highly recommended; this practice aids in retaining soil moisture, keeping the root zone cool, and suppressing weed competition around the base of the shrub.
Maintenance involves routine deadheading—removing spent flowers consistently—to cue the plant into producing subsequent flushes of fragrant red blooms throughout the season. In colder regions, particularly toward the lower end of USDA Zone 5, providing winter protection for the crowns of your Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ is a wise precaution. Pruning, a necessary step for all Hybrid tea roses, is typically performed in late winter, cutting the canes back to 12 to 18 inches from the ground to encourage strong new growth.
Good general cultural practices are your first defense against common rose ailments. Ensure excellent air circulation around the shrub, as this significantly helps control the spread of foliar diseases. Proper cleanup in fall and early spring is crucial; promptly remove and destroy any fallen or diseased leaves to minimize overwintering pathogens.
Landscape Uses
Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ is versatile despite its formal appearance, making it useful as a striking accent plant where its fragrance can be most appreciated. It performs exceptionally well when planted in small groups within dedicated rose gardens, allowing for impact through massed color and scent when its deep red blooms open. This Hybrid tea rose is also highly effective near pathways or seating areas.
Because of its excellent long stems and noted fragrance, achieving the intended purpose as a specimen or border accent is easily done near foundational plantings or within cottage gardens where other lush textures can complement its structure. When placing Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’, consider companions that prefer similar cultural needs, focusing on soil drainage and sun exposure.
The large size and singular bloom habit of the Hybrid tea rose mean it serves wonderfully as a vertical element within a larger perennial or shrub border, providing a necessary point of contrast against softer, lower-growing plants. Ultimately, its beauty is best showcased when provided with adequate space to allow for necessary air movement between plants.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ is a hybrid tea rose famous for its large, fully double, velvety red flowers that carry an extremely strong fragrance. Developed from a cross involving ‘Chrysler Imperial’ and ‘Charles Mallerin’, this cultivar maintains the classic Hybrid tea shape with high centers and long stems. Like other high-performance roses in this class, Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ demands regular, severe pruning to encourage the production of desirable, long-stemmed florist-quality blooms throughout the growing season.
Tolerances
No tolerances were specified for this plant.
Potential Problems
Roses generally face susceptibility to numerous diseases, including common issues such as black spot, powdery mildew, and rust, alongside the threat of rose rosette. While maintaining solid cultural practices—like deep watering and ensuring good air flow—is the primary defense, gardeners in humid climates often find that preventative fungicide applications throughout the growing season are necessary for control.
Insect pests representing potential threats include aphids, scale, spider mites, and leafhoppers. Proactive monitoring of the foliage and stems is essential for early detection. Consult local extension services or specialized rose associations for the most current, region-specific recommendations regarding effective sprays and integrated pest management strategies for Hybrid tea roses like Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Hybrid tea rose suitable for?
Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ is suitable for growing in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ grow?
This Hybrid tea rose typically matures to a height between 3 and 5 feet, with a spread ranging from 3 to 4 feet.
What sun exposure does Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ need?
The requirements for Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ specify Full sun exposure for the best results in flowering and disease resistance.
When does Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ bloom?
This shrub begins blooming in May and continues its bloom cycle sporadically until the arrival of frost.
Conclusion
Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ remains a cherished variety among rose enthusiasts due to its spectacularly fragrant, deep red blossoms, securing its status as a top-tier Hybrid tea rose. By attending carefully to its medium water needs, pruning regimen, and full sun requirements throughout the season, gardeners can ensure a spectacular display. Before planting, always confirm that USDA Zones 5-9 aligns with your local climate for successful cultivation of this classic rose.
Companion Planting
When planning a rose garden featuring Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’, selecting companions that thrive in similar conditions—full sun and well-drained, fertile soil—is vital. Consider planting lower-growing herbs like Lavender or Thyme directly around the base; these not only enjoy the same bright conditions but many gardeners find their aromatic foliage helps deter certain sucking insects.
For an effective visual pairing in borders, incorporate plants with contrasting foliage textures or colors. Silver-leafed Lamb’s Ears or plants with fine, blue-toned foliage, such as certain Salvias, provide a beautiful backdrop that allows the deep velvety red of the Hybrid tea rose blooms to truly pop visually. Ensure these companions do not compete aggressively for root space or moisture.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring preparation for Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ begins with the final expected frost. This is the optimal time for pruning the main canes back heavily, usually to 12-18 inches above the ground, after which you should apply dormant oil if recommended locally to clean the bark. As the weather warms, begin a consistent feeding schedule, ensuring the plant receives balanced rose fertilizer every 4-6 weeks until mid-summer.
Summer maintenance centers on consistent watering, providing deep saturation in the mornings while avoiding wetting the foliage, especially if humidity is high. Be diligent about removing spent flowers (deadheading) to encourage rebloom rather than seed production. Watch closely for early signs of black spot or aphids, treating promptly with cultural adjustments or targeted products.
As the growing season concludes, cease fertilization around 6-8 weeks before your first expected hard frost to allow the plant to harden off naturally. In very cold winter climates (Zone 5 edges), the final critical step is mounding soil or mulch high over the base of the plant to insulate and protect the crown of the Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’ before deep freezes set in.
