Olds College Rose

Rosa ‘Olds College’

Olds College Rose is a hardy, disease-resistant shrub rose bred for cold climates (Zone 3-7), making it an excellent choice for Southwest Saskatchewan. It produces semi-double, deep pink flowers with a light fragrance, blooming continuously from late spring to frost. This compact, bushy rose is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and highly resistant to black spot and mildew, making it ideal for borders, mass plantings, foundation gardens, and urban landscapes.

Planting & Location

• Hardiness Zone: 3-7 (exceptionally winter-hardy, perfect for prairie climates)
• Mature Size: 3-4 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
• Growth Rate: Moderate (12-18 inches per year)
• Sunlight Needs: Full sun (at least 6+ hours of direct sunlight for best flowering and disease resistance)
• Soil Preference:
  • Prefers well-drained, loamy soil.
  • Tolerates clay, sandy, and slightly alkaline soils.
  • Avoid overly wet or compacted soil, as this can cause root rot.
• Spacing: 3-4 feet apart for mass planting, 4+ feet apart for individual shrubs.

Watering

• Young Plants (First Year): Water deeply 1-2 times per week to establish roots.
• Established Shrubs: Drought-tolerant; water every 2-3 weeks in dry conditions.
• Avoid Overwatering: Prefers moderate soil moisture, but let the top inch of soil dry before watering again.

Fertilizing

• First Year: No fertilizer needed—focus on root establishment.
• Mature Shrubs:
  • Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in early spring to encourage growth and flowering.
  • Feed again after the first flush of blooms to promote continuous flowering.
  • Organic alternative: Compost or well-rotted manure in spring.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Best Time to Prune: Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts.
• How to Prune:
  • Remove dead, damaged, or weak branches to improve airflow and reduce disease risk.
  • Trim back by one-third in early spring to maintain shape and encourage bushy growth.
  • Deadhead spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering.
  • Every 3-4 years, rejuvenate by cutting back older stems to ground level.

Flowers, Fragrance & Blooming

• Bloom Time: Late spring to frost (continuous bloomer)
• Flower Color: Deep pink, semi-double blooms
• Fragrance: Mild, pleasant scent
• Flower Size: 2.5-3 inches across
• Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and pollinators

Pest & Disease Management

Highly resistant to: Black spot, rust, and powdery mildew (excellent for humid or dry climates)

Common Pests:

• Aphids – Can cause curled leaves and sticky honeydew.
  • Solution: Spray with insecticidal soap or introduce ladybugs.
• Japanese Beetles – May eat flowers and leaves.
  • Solution: Hand-pick or use neem oil.

Common Diseases:

• Leaf Spot (Fungal or Bacterial) – Causes brown spots on foliage.
  • Solution: Improve airflow and remove infected leaves.
• Canker (Fungal Disease) – Can cause branch dieback.
  • Solution: Prune affected branches 6 inches below infection and sanitize pruning tools.

Winter Protection

• Highly winter-hardy—minimal protection needed in Zone 3-7.
• Mulching: Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around the base (not touching the stems) to insulate roots.
• For extreme cold: Consider mounding soil or mulch around the base of young plants in late fall.

Landscape Uses

Perfect for borders, mass plantings, and foundation plantings
Compact and easy to maintain—great for urban gardens
Deep pink blooms provide vibrant color contrast
Cold-hardy and disease-resistant—ideal for prairie climates
Attracts pollinators and blooms all season

Additional Notes:

• Olds College Rose is one of the best hardy shrub roses, offering continuous blooms, excellent disease resistance, and a compact size perfect for any garden.
• Lifespan: 20+ years with proper care.
• Works well in cottage gardens, modern landscapes, mixed borders, and as a standalone specimen shrub.

Photo courtesy of Falk Nurseries