Sweet Escimo Rose

If you’re looking for a rose that combines classic beauty with a truly memorable scent, you’ve found it. The sweet escimo rose is a delicate pink floral fragrance brought to life in a hardy, repeat-flowering shrub. This stunning variety offers more than just good looks; it brings a piece of timeless elegance to any garden space, and it’s easier to grow than you might think.

Let’s talk about what makes this rose so special. Its name perfectly captures its essence. The blooms are a soft, creamy pink, often starting with a slightly deeper hue in the center that fades gently towards the edges. But the real magic is in the aroma. It produces a strong, old-rose fragrance with sweet, fruity notes that can easily fill the air around it. It’s the kind of scent that makes you stop and just breathe for a moment.

Beyond it’s beauty, the Sweet Escimo is a robust plant. It forms a well-branched, bushy shrub that’s covered in glossy, dark green foliage. This healthy foliage provides a perfect backdrop for the generous clusters of flowers. It’s disease-resistant and blooms repeatedly from late spring right through to the first frosts, ensuring your garden never lacks for color or fragrance.

This particular rose cultivar is a true gem for gardeners of all skill levels. It was bred by the famous rose hybridizer, Kordes, in Germany, known for creating robust and beautiful varieties. The Sweet Escimo excels in many garden roles, from a standout specimen plant to a lovely flowering hedge.

Key Characteristics at a Glance

Flower Color: Delicate creamy pink.
Fragrance: Strong, sweet, classic old-rose scent.
Bloom Type: Double, rosette-shaped blooms in large clusters.
Plant Type: Floribunda shrub rose.
Mature Size: Approximately 3-4 feet tall and wide.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5-9.
Best For: Beds, borders, hedges, and cut flowers.

Why Choose the Sweet Escimo for Your Garden?

There are many roses to pick from, but this one has a distinct set of advantages. Its compact, rounded growth habit means it rarely gets leggy or awkward-looking. The disease resistance is a major plus, saving you time and worry about black spot or mildew. Most importantly, its reliable rebloom means you get wave after wave of those fragrant pink flowers. It’s a workhorse that never skips on beauty.

Perfect Planting Companions

The soft pink color of the Sweet Escimo rose makes it incredibly versatile in garden design. It pairs beautifully with so many other plants. Consider these companions to make your garden sing:

For Contrast: Purple salvias, lavender, or catmint (Nepeta).
For Softness: White flowering plants like Shasta daisies or white phlox.
For Foliage: Silver-leaved plants such as artemisia or lamb’s ear.
For Structure: Low boxwood hedges or ornamental grasses.

How to Plant and Grow Your Sweet Escimo Rose

Getting your rose off to a great start is simple if you follow a few key steps. Proper planting sets the stage for years of healthy growth and abundant blooms.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Location

Roses need sun. Choose a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Good air circulation is also crucial to help keep the leaves dry and prevent fungal diseases. Avoid planting to close to large trees or shrubs that will compete for water and nutrients.

Step 2: Preparing the Soil

Roses appreciate rich, well-draining soil. If your soil is heavy clay or very sandy, amend it generously. Dig a hole that is about twice as wide and just as deep as the rose’s root ball. Mix the excavated soil with a few shovelfuls of well-rotted compost or manure. You can also add a handful of bone meal to the mix to encourage strong root development.

Step 3: The Planting Process

Soak the rose’s roots in a bucket of water for a few hours before planting.
Place the rose in the hole, ensuring the graft union (the knobby bump where the rose is joined to the rootstock) is about 1-2 inches below the soil surface in colder climates (Zone 6 and below). In warmer zones, it can be level with the soil.
Backfill the hole with your amended soil, firming it gently as you go to remove air pockets.
Water deeply and thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch (like wood chips or shredded bark) around the base of the plant, keeping it a few inches away from the main stem. This helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Caring for Your Rose Through the Seasons

Once established, the Sweet Escimo rose is relatively low-maintenance. Consistent care will reward you with its best performance.

Watering and Feeding

Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on your weather. It’s better to give a long, slow soak than frequent light sprinklings. This encourages the roots to grow deep. In early spring, as new growth appears, feed your rose with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for roses. A second feeding after the first big flush of blooms in early summer will support continued flowering.

Pruning for Health and Blooms

Pruning is essential. The best time to do major pruning is in late winter or early spring, just as the leaf buds begin to swell.

Start by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged canes, cutting back to healthy wood.
Remove any thin, weak growth or canes that are crossing through the center of the plant.
Shape the remaining healthy canes by cutting them back by about one-third to one-half, making your cut at a 45-degree angle about 1/4 inch above an outward-facing bud.

Throughout the summer, remember to deadhead spent blooms. Simply snip off the old flower cluster just above the first set of five-leaflet leaves. This tells the plant to produce more flowers instead of putting energy into making seeds.

Overwintering Tips

In colder zones (5-6), a little extra protection is wise. After the first hard frost, mound about 8-12 inches of soil or mulch around the base of the plant to insulate the graft union. You can also add a layer of evergreen boughs on top for further protection. Remove this mound carefully in spring after the danger of severe frost has passed.

Common Questions Answered

Is the Sweet Escimo rose good for cut flowers?

Absolutely. Its long stems and clustered blooms make excellent, fragrant cut flowers. Cut them in the early morning when the buds are just begining to open. Place them in a vase with fresh water and floral preservative.

How often does it bloom?

This is a repeat-blooming Floribunda. It will have a massive flush of flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by consistent waves of bloom right up until fall. Regular deadheading encourages more frequent flowering.

Does it really have a strong fragrance?

Yes, the sweet escimo rose is renowned for its powerful, sweet, and fruity fragrance. It’s often described as a true old-rose scent, and it’s one of its most loved features. The scent is strongest on warm, sunny days and in the early evening.

What are the main pest or disease issues?

While notably disease-resistant, it’s still a rose. Keep an eye out for common issues like aphids in spring, which can be sprayed off with a strong jet of water. Good air circulation and proper watering (avoiding wet leaves) are your best defenses against fungal diseases like black spot.

Can it be grown in a container?

Yes, it can do well in a large pot. Choose a container at least 18-24 inches in diameter with excellent drainage. Use a high-quality potting mix and be vigilant about watering, as containers dry out faster than garden soil. A container-grown rose may need a bit more winter protection in cold climates.

Adding the Sweet Escimo rose to your garden is a decision you won’t regret. It provides a reliable show of color and an intoxicating scent that defines the summer garden. With its tough nature and beautiful manners, it proves that you can have a low-maintenance plant that still feels luxurious. Give it a sunny spot, some basic care, and it will fill your garden with its delicate pink floral fragrance for many seasons to come.