Own-root shrub roses: low maintenance, regenerative growth – PharmaRosa®

Our roses are propagated vegetatively, by cuttings. This sustainable method ensures that every plant reliably preserves the variety’s original characteristics: its appearance, growth habit and regenerative potential. The essence of propagation by cuttings is that the new plant develops from identical tissue origin: the root system and the shoots derive from the same plant “unit”, so the whole rose system works as one.

One important consequence of this uniform structure is that own‑root roses can use their internal regulation to maintain a root–shoot balance. Thanks to this, the plant usually develops the variety’s natural shrub shape by itself, and therefore does not need regular maintenance pruning. To achieve the desired shrub shape, aesthetic shaping is usually sufficient.

After planting, when your rose arrives and you plant it, there is generally no need for pruning in the first two years: it is worth allowing the plant to strengthen and “settle” into its place. Later it will still require very little intervention; in most cases it is enough to remove dead or dried‑back canes, and if you have a preferred shape, you can easily maintain it with light aesthetic shaping. Strong pruning is generally not necessary.

The own‑root structure has another long‑term, decisive benefit: continuous renewal. Our roses can regularly produce new shoots from their own roots, so the shrub can be kept naturally fresh, remains well‑balanced in the long run, and this also supports the appearance of the variety’s characteristic shrub form. In suitable conditions the plant can remain vigorous for many years, even decades – under favourable circumstances it may live for more than 50 years.

If the shoot system is damaged by frost or in any other way, with adequate nutrient and water supply the rose can rebuild itself from the root. In contrast, the regeneration of grafted roses is usually limited to the area around the graft union. As there is no plant tissue of different origin in our case, the rose remains uniform in structure throughout, which in practice often translates into better regeneration, more balanced growth and in many cases greater resistance to diseases.