Amazon™ Rose Magic
Dianthus barbatus interspecific
Photo: Freddo213 · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY 4.0)
These brilliantly colored beauties bloom the first year and produce 5-7 stems that can reach 36". The stems are thick, strong and glossy green, supporting huge blooms that start out white, aging to pink and then dark rose. All colors visible on individual flower heads. Long vase life. Tender perennial in Zones 6-8. Best grown as an annual. Raw, uncoated seed. Edible Flowers: Use the flower petals to garnish salads, desserts, soups, icing, and cold drinks. Flavor is of mild clove. Remove the petals from the flower base before consuming as the base can be quite bitter.
Harvest
105-120d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
3–9
USDA hardiness
Height
12-24 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Amazon™ Rose Magic in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 flower →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Amazon™ Rose Magic · Zones 3–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May – June | July – August | July – September | — |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 11 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 12 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 13 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | June – July | — |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | March – May | — |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | February – April | — |
Complete Growing Guide
These brilliantly colored beauties bloom the first year and produce 5-7 stems that can reach 36". The stems are thick, strong and glossy green, supporting huge blooms that start out white, aging to pink and then dark rose. All colors visible on individual flower heads. Long vase life. Tender perennial in Zones 6-8. Best grown as an annual. Raw, uncoated seed. Edible Flowers: Use the flower petals to garnish salads, desserts, soups, icing, and cold drinks. Flavor is of mild clove. Remove the petals from the flower base before consuming as the base can be quite bitter. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Amazon™ Rose Magic is 105 - 120 days to maturity, tender perennial, hybrid (f1). Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Edible Flowers, Fragrant.
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches, 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Division, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Amazon™ Rose Magic reaches harvest at 105 - 120 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 36". at peak.
The capsule is 1-celled, opening by 4 valves, the fruit is dry and splits open when ripe with numerous, shield-shaped blackish-brown seeds.
Color: Black, Brown/Copper. Type: Capsule. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh-cut Amazon™ Rose Magic stems last 7-10 days in a clean vase with fresh, cool water changed every 2-3 days. Remove foliage below the waterline and re-cut stem ends at a 45-degree angle every few days. Keep vases away from ripening fruit and direct heat. For culinary petals, harvest in morning, separate immediately from the flower base, and refrigerate in an airtight container lined with paper towels for up to 3 days.
To preserve petals long-term, air-dry them on a paper-lined tray in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 1-2 weeks, then store in an airtight container away from light. Dried petals retain subtle clove notes and last 6-12 months. Alternatively, freeze whole petals in water in ice cube trays for cocktail or dessert garnishes—they'll keep for several months. Do not can or ferment; preservation is best suited to drying or freezing.
History & Origin
Amazon™ Rose Magic is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.
Origin: European Mountains (Pyrenees, Carpathians, Balkans)
Advantages
- +Produces multiple long stems ideal for cutting and floral arrangements.
- +Stunning color progression from white to pink to deep rose on same bloom.
- +First-year blooming makes it practical for annual garden planning.
- +Edible flower petals offer culinary garnish with pleasant mild clove flavor.
- +Easy to grow with straightforward care requirements for beginners.
Considerations
- -Requires removal of bitter flower base before consuming petals safely.
- -Limited hardiness as tender perennial needs replanting in cold climates.
- -Long growing season of 105-120 days demands patience before flowering.
- -Uncoated raw seed may have lower germination rates than treated seed.
Companion Plants
Lavender and rosemary are the most useful neighbors here — both want the same full-sun, well-drained conditions, and their volatile oils interfere with the host-finding behavior of aphids that would otherwise land straight on the Dianthus. Tagetes patula marigolds attract predatory wasps and their root secretions suppress soil nematodes without crowding plants spaced at 18–24 inches. Chives and garlic reinforce that pest-confusion effect without competing hard for root space. Skip planting near large trees entirely — even without black walnut's juglone toxicity in the picture, any significant canopy will cut below the 4–6 hours of sun this variety needs to set flower buds reliably, and you'll get foliage instead of blooms.
Plant Together
Lavender
Repels aphids, spider mites, and other rose pests while attracting beneficial pollinators
Marigolds
Natural nematode deterrent and repels aphids, whiteflies, and other rose pests
Chives
Repels aphids and Japanese beetles while improving rose fragrance and health
Garlic
Deters aphids, spider mites, and fungal diseases through natural sulfur compounds
Catmint
Repels ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting beneficial insects
Alliums
Natural pest deterrent against aphids and thrips, improves soil health
Rosemary
Repels beetles and other pests while providing complementary drought tolerance
Geraniums
Natural pest repellent and attracts beneficial insects for rose pollination
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to roses and inhibits their growth
Large Trees
Competes for nutrients and water while creating excessive shade that weakens roses
Brassicas
Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and may harbor pests harmful to roses
Pests & Disease Resistance
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, thrips
Diseases
Powdery mildew, black spot (in humid conditions)
Troubleshooting Amazon™ Rose Magic
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually showing up in mid-summer when nights cool down but days stay warm
Likely Causes
- Powdery mildew (Erysiphe spp.) — thrives in humid air with poor circulation, not necessarily wet leaves
- Plants packed too close together at less than 18-inch spacing
What to Do
- 1.Cut out the worst-affected stems at the base and bin them — don't compost
- 2.Spray remaining foliage with a potassium bicarbonate solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) every 7 days until symptoms stop spreading
- 3.Next season, space plants at the full 24 inches and avoid overhead watering in the evening
Leaf tips curling or stippling (tiny pale flecks) across the upper surface, sometimes with fine webbing on the undersides in hot, dry weather
Likely Causes
- Two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — population explodes when temperatures stay above 85°F and humidity drops
- Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) can cause similar stippling; check for tiny fast-moving insects inside the flower buds
What to Do
- 1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong stream of water three days in a row to knock mite populations down
- 2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the early morning when temperatures are below 80°F — hit the undersides, not just the tops
- 3.Keep soil consistently moist at 1–1.5 inches per week; plants running dry are far more susceptible to both pests
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Amazon™ Rose Magic take to grow from seed to first bloom?▼
Can you grow Amazon™ Rose Magic in containers or pots?▼
Is Amazon™ Rose Magic an annual or perennial?▼
What does Amazon™ Rose Magic taste like and how do you use the flowers?▼
How often should you water and feed Amazon™ Rose Magic?▼
Do you need to stake Amazon™ Rose Magic?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- ExtensionNC State Extension
- BreederJohnny's Selected Seeds
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.