Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Common name: 'Golden Wings' rose

Family: Rosaceae (Rose)

Distribution: Cultivated

Hardiness: USDA Zone 4 (-30 to -20 °F)

Life form: Shrub/sub-shrub

Occurrence in New Mexico: Cultivar

Growing Conditions: Soils should be enriched with plenty of organic matter before planting roses. Roses tolerate slightly alkaline to slightly acidic soil, but prefer pH 6-6.5. At least 5 hours of full sun each day to ensure plentiful blooms. Roses grown in containers can be planted at any time, while dormant bare-root plants are planted in winter or early spring. Roses are deep-rooted, and need to be watered deeply, weekly or more often in extremely hot weather, and occasionally when dormant. Blooming often ceases when temperatures go above 90 degrees, so planting where they are protected from intense afternoon sun is helpful in New Mexico. Mulching (4 inches deep) will help conserve moisture and keep the roots cool. Fertilize twice yearly, in spring and summer, for best performance. Deadheading spent blooms encourages new leaves and flowers. Prune established plants in winter by removing all unproductive or diseased wood. Shrub roses do not require heavy pruning and can be allowed to grow large with minimal pruning. If needed, canes can be cut back approximately ⅓. This rose can be grown as a single specimen, grouped in perennial plantings, or grown as a hedge.

Description: ‘Golden Wings’ is a hybrid shrub rose that has upright canes 4-6 feet tall and wide. It typically grows in a rounded form and does not need pruning. The leaves are lighter green compared to many other roses. One to 5 long, pointed buds are produced at the ends of thorny stems in May and June, with some repeat blooming until autumn frosts. The lightly fragrant, almost-single, pale yellow flowers have distinctive red-golden stamens that radiate from the center of the large blooms (up to 5 inches wide). Flowers give rise to apple-green hips that turn orange in autumn and persist throughout winter.