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Hybrid Tea Rose - Mister Lincoln

Rosa 'Mister Lincoln'

a bunch of flowers that are in the grass

A legendary deep red hybrid tea rose that has captivated gardeners since 1964 with its velvety crimson blooms and intense fragrance. This classic American rose produces large, perfectly formed flowers on long stems, making it ideal for cutting and garden display. Winner of the All-America Rose Selection award, it remains one of the most sought-after red roses for its reliable performance and timeless beauty.

Harvest

60-70d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

5–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

3-6 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Showing dates for Hybrid Tea Rose - Mister Lincoln in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Hybrid Tea Rose - Mister Lincoln · Zones 5–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing3-4 feet apart

SoilRich, well-drained loam with organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, deep watering at soil level

SeasonSpring through fall

FlavorNot applicable - ornamental flower

ColorDeep velvety crimson red

Size4-5 inch diameter blooms

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	—
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	—
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	—
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	—
Zone 9	—	March – May	—	—

Complete Growing Guide

Mister Lincoln demands excellent air circulation to prevent powdery mildew, a persistent problem with this variety in humid conditions, so space plants at least three feet apart and avoid overhead watering. This cultivar thrives in full sun—minimum six hours daily—which intensifies its signature deep crimson color and fragrance; insufficient light produces weak growth and fewer blooms. Unlike many hybrid teas, Mister Lincoln shows moderate disease resistance but requires consistent deadheading to maintain continuous flowering throughout the season. The variety benefits from heavy pruning in early spring, cutting canes back to 12-18 inches to encourage bushier growth and larger exhibition-quality flowers on longer stems. Apply a thick mulch layer while avoiding direct contact with the base to reduce fungal issues. One practical advantage: this established cultivar responds exceptionally well to regular feeding schedules every 4-6 weeks during growing season, rewarding attentive gardeners with prolific blooms ideal for cutting.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

For Mister Lincoln roses, harvest when the outer petals just begin to unfurl and the bloom reaches its full diameter, revealing the deep crimson color without browning at the petal edges. The flower should feel firm but slightly yielding when gently squeezed. Cut stems in early morning when moisture content is highest, using sharp shears to sever just above a five-leaflet leaf node. Mister Lincoln produces continuously throughout the growing season rather than in a single flush, so deadheading spent blooms encourages additional flowering. For longest vase life, harvest at the tight-to-loose bud stage rather than fully open blooms, as mature flowers will fade more quickly indoors.

Insignificant

Storage & Preservation

Fresh cut Mister Lincoln blooms last 7-10 days in a clean vase with commercial rose preservative or homemade solution (1 quart water, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, few drops bleach). Change water every 2-3 days and recut stems. Keep in a cool room (60-65°F) away from fruit and direct sun.

For preservation, dry petals for potpourri by hanging stems upside-down in a dark, airy space for 2-3 weeks, or spread individual petals on paper to dry for 5-7 days. Store dried petals in an airtight container away from light. Fresh petals can be frozen in ice cubes with water for decorative use or infused into simple syrup for culinary garnish. Make rose water by steaming pesticide-free petals and collecting the condensate, or by macerating dried petals in distilled water for 24-48 hours then straining.

History & Origin

Mister Lincoln was introduced in 1964 by Swim and Weeks, prominent American rose breeders, and subsequently became an All-America Rose Selection award winner. The hybrid tea represents the American breeding tradition of developing large-flowered, fragrant roses optimized for cutting gardens and exhibition. While detailed parentage records are not widely documented in standard horticultural references, the variety emerged during the golden age of hybrid tea development in California, where Swim and Weeks were renowned for cultivating deep red roses with exceptional form and fragrance. Mister Lincoln's enduring popularity reflects its successful combination of desirable traits: vigorous growth, reliable blooming, and the classic hybrid tea structure that defined mid-twentieth-century rose breeding objectives.

Origin: United States

Advantages

+Legendary deep red blooms with intense fragrance attract experienced rose gardeners
+Large perfectly formed flowers on long stems ideal for cutting arrangements
+Award-winning All-America Rose Selection winner with proven reliable performance since 1964
+Velvety crimson petals provide timeless beauty for garden display and exhibitions

Considerations

-Highly susceptible to black spot and powdery mildew in humid climates
-Requires consistent pest management for aphids, thrips, spider mites, and beetles
-Moderate difficulty level demands experienced care and regular pruning maintenance

Companion Plants

Lavender, catmint, and alliums — garlic in particular — are the companions most worth planting near Mister Lincoln. Lavender and catmint pull in predatory wasps and put off aphids through volatile compounds in their foliage, while garlic planted densely at the base has a long track record of suppressing aphid pressure and may slow fungal spread. Marigolds add another layer of pest disruption. Avoid black walnut at any distance within root range — juglone accumulates in the soil and will stunt or kill a rose before you figure out what's wrong — and keep large shade trees far enough back that you're not also fighting the low-airflow conditions that invite powdery mildew.

Plant Together

Lavender

Repels aphids, spider mites, and other rose pests while attracting beneficial pollinators

Marigolds

Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while adding vibrant color contrast

Catmint

Repels aphids, ants, and rodents while attracting beneficial insects

Alliums

Natural fungicide properties help prevent black spot and powdery mildew

Clematis

Shares similar soil and water requirements while maximizing vertical garden space

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control aphids

Garlic

Natural pest deterrent against aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles

Rosemary

Repels pest insects and may help improve rose fragrance and health

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that causes stunted growth and yellowing in roses

Large Trees

Creates excessive shade and competes for nutrients, reducing bloom production

Brassicas

Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and may inhibit rose growth

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Moderate resistance to black spot and powdery mildew, requires preventive care

Common Pests

Aphids, thrips, spider mites, Japanese beetles

Diseases

Black spot, powdery mildew, rust, canker

Troubleshooting Hybrid Tea Rose - Mister Lincoln

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Dark spots with irregular, feathered edges appearing on leaves, which then yellow and drop — often starting mid-season after a wet stretch

Likely Causes

Black spot (Diplocarpon rosae) — a fungal disease that spreads via water splash and thrives when leaves stay wet overnight
Susceptible cultivar: Mister Lincoln is a hybrid tea, and hybrid teas as a class run higher risk for black spot than shrub roses like Knock Out or Bonica

What to Do

1.Water at the base only — never overhead — and water in the morning so the soil surface dries before evening (NC State Extension specifically flags nighttime leaf wetness as a driver)
2.Strip and bag infected leaves; do not compost them
3.Prune out any cane infections in late winter, then lay 2–3 inches of mulch around the base to cut down on soil splash onto foliage

New shoots elongating fast with leaves that stay red or bronze instead of greening up, sometimes paired with a sudden spike in thorn density or tight, bunched growth at the shoot tips

Likely Causes

Rose Rosette Disease (Rose rosette virus), carried by the eriophyid mite Phyllocoptes fructiphilus
Per NC State Extension, excessive thorniness alone is a near-certain indicator; red shoot retention plus witches'-broom together make the diagnosis very confident

What to Do

1.No cure exists — dig out the entire plant, roots and all, bag it in plastic, and put it in the trash the same day
2.Check any roses growing within 10–15 feet, since Phyllocoptes fructiphilus moves between plants readily on the wind
3.Wait at least one full season before replanting a rose in that spot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take Mister Lincoln rose to bloom?▼

Mister Lincoln typically produces its first blooms 60-70 days after spring growth begins. Once established, it blooms continuously throughout the growing season (spring through fall) with flowers appearing every 4-6 weeks on new canes when properly deadheaded and fertilized. The bloom cycle accelerates in midsummer heat. Factors like sunlight, feeding, and age of the plant affect timing—young, newly planted roses may take a full season to settle into regular blooming.

Can you grow Mister Lincoln roses in containers?▼

Yes, though container cultivation is suboptimal for this variety. Use a pot at least 18-20 inches deep and wide with drainage holes, filled with high-quality rose potting mix enriched with compost. Container roses dry out quickly and need daily watering in summer, plus monthly feeding. They're prone to root rot in poorly drained soil and struggle more with fungal diseases due to humidity. Gardeners typically reserve containers for portability; in-ground planting produces superior flowers, fragrance, and plant longevity for Mister Lincoln.

Is Mister Lincoln a good rose for beginners?▼

Mister Lincoln is a good rose for moderately experienced gardeners but not true beginners. Its hybrid tea form requires deadheading, regular feeding, and vigilant disease/pest management. However, its proven reliability, vigor, and responsiveness to proper care make it rewarding once you understand rose basics. Beginners should start with shrub roses or landscape roses that tolerate neglect better; graduate to Mister Lincoln after mastering fundamental rose care for 1-2 seasons.

What is the difference between Mister Lincoln and other red hybrid tea roses?▼

Mister Lincoln distinguishes itself through exceptional fragrance—most modern red hybrid teas sacrifice scent for disease resistance and vase life, but Mister Lincoln delivers an intensely perfumed, complex fragrance reminiscent of classic old garden roses. Its deep crimson color also intensifies as blooms age, unlike varieties that fade. The trade-off is moderate disease resistance requiring more diligent management than newer varieties. If fragrance and classic beauty matter more than disease resistance, Mister Lincoln outperforms newer red hybrids.

When should I prune Mister Lincoln roses?▼

Perform your main pruning in late winter (February-March in mild zones, April in cold zones) when new growth emerges and frost danger passes. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing canes, and reduce plant height by about one-third. Deadhead spent blooms throughout the growing season by cutting just above a 5-leaflet leaf to encourage branching and continuous flowers. In fall, avoid heavy pruning; simply remove clearly dead wood. In zones 5-6, delay pruning until all frost danger passes to prevent new tender growth from freezing.

How often should I spray Mister Lincoln for disease and pests?▼

Begin preventive spraying in spring when new growth emerges. Apply sulfur dust or fungicidal soap weekly during wet weather to prevent black spot and powdery mildew. For pest management, scout plants twice weekly and spray horticultural oil or neem oil every 7-10 days if aphids, thrips, or spider mites appear. In hot, dry climates with less disease pressure, you may spray every 2 weeks. Stop spraying in late summer to avoid stimulating tender new growth. Always spray early morning or evening to protect beneficial insects and avoid leaf burn.