Shrub Rose - Bonica
Rosa 'Bonica'
This versatile and extremely hardy shrub rose produces masses of soft pink blooms followed by attractive orange-red hips, providing season-long interest. Bonica is celebrated as one of the most disease-resistant and low-maintenance roses available, making it perfect for beginning gardeners or anyone wanting beautiful roses without intensive care. Its spreading habit and continuous blooming make it excellent for mass plantings, slopes, and mixed borders.
Harvest
60-70d
Days to harvest
Sun
White-Tailed Deer
Zones
5–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-8 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Shrub Rose - Bonica in USDA Zone 7
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Shrub Rose - Bonica · Zones 5–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: White-Tailed Deer, Cottontail Rabbit. Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches, 12 inches-3 feet, 3 feet-6 feet, 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Propagation: Grafting.
Harvesting
The accessory fruit is called a hip and forms after the flowers finish blooming. The hip will appear under the sepals of where the flower was after the flower dies. They will turn from green to red. They are filled with many achenes surrounded by irritating hairs.
Color: Green, Red/Burgundy. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Showy
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: The fruit (called the hip) is edible.
History & Origin
Origin: Temp. & Subtropical Northern Hemisphere (such as Europe & Asia)
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: #showy flowers#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#rose#tsc#cottage garden#security plant#high maintenance#English garden#cutting garden#border back#tsc-s#bee friendly#container plant#patio#hedge#prickles#shrub rose#cpp#walkway#HS111#HS303#hortcontest#nesting site#fpp
- +Wildlife value: Wildlife is attracted to the edible hips. Single-flowered species and cultivars are attractive to bees. Dead stems are used by stem-nesting bees.
- +Edible: The fruit (called the hip) is edible.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Lavender
Repels aphids, moths, and other pests while attracting beneficial pollinators
Marigold
Deters aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes with strong scent
Chives
Repels aphids and Japanese beetles, prevents black spot disease
Garlic
Natural fungicide properties help prevent powdery mildew and black spot
Catmint
Repels ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting beneficial insects
Allium
Strong scent deters aphids, thrips, and other rose pests
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on aphids
Clematis
Compatible root systems and provides vertical interest without competition
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits rose growth and can cause wilting
Large Trees
Compete for nutrients and water, create excessive shade reducing bloom production
Impatiens
Susceptible to same fungal diseases, can harbor and spread black spot to roses
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent disease resistance to black spot, mildew, and rust
Common Pests
Japanese beetles, aphids (minimal pest problems overall)
Diseases
Highly disease resistant, occasional canker in harsh conditions