Mem Day rose plant

Mem Day produces very large, old-fashioned blooms — roughly five inches across — in an unusual orchid pink washed with lavender, packed with more than fifty petals. The fragrance is the headline: an intense classic damask scent, strong enough that a single cut stem will perfume an entire room. Flowers are borne mostly one to a stem, which makes this an outstanding cutting rose. Blooming begins in late spring and repeats in flushes through summer into early autumn. The plant is upright and bushy, reaching four to five feet tall and about three feet wide, with thick dark green foliage and very good disease resistance. It performs particularly well in heat. Full sun, in well-drained, slightly acidic soil with good air circulation. Water deeply at the roots rather than overhead. Crowns benefit from winter protection. This is a 2–3 year old plant that has already bloomed, so you’re not waiting seasons to see what you’ve got. Growing 9–24″ now with a medium growth rate, it repeats from spring through fall. Plant it where it receives full sun and water frequently — roses reward consistency. Fertilize with rabbit, composted chicken, or horse manure each spring and fall to keep bloom cycles strong. What makes this one worth knowing: it’s self-fertile and genuinely welcomes bees, butterflies, ladybugs, and lacewings, making it a living part of your garden ecosystem rather than just a showpiece. No invasiveness concerns, not toxic to pets or people, and it comes ready to plant with soil included.