Floribunda, Shrub Rose 'Bonica'

Rosa

Family
Rosaceae (ro-ZAY-see-ee)
Genus
Rosa (RO-zuh)
Synonym
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Blooms repeatedly
Bloom Color
Medium pink (mp)
Class
Cluster-flowered (incl. Floribunda & Grandiflora)
Shrub
Other Details
Propagation Methods
By grafting
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Flower Fragrance
Slightly Fragrant
Bloom Shape
Double
Habit
Shrub
Can be trained as a standard or tree form
Patent Information
Non-patented
Other Details
Shade-tolerant
Pruning Instructions
Blooms on new wood; prune early to promote new growth
Foliage Color
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are good for cutting
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Where to Grow
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Eureka, California

Novato, California

San Jose, California

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Twin Falls, Idaho

Chicago, Illinois

Elmhurst, Illinois

Gardiner, Maine

Beverly, Massachusetts

Roslindale, Massachusetts

Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts

Amherst, New Hampshire

Exeter, New Hampshire

Albany, New York

New York City, New York

Belfield, North Dakota

Streetsboro, Ohio

Lansdowne, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Souderton, Pennsylvania

North Augusta, South Carolina

Rapid City, South Dakota

Lampasas, Texas

Centreville, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia

Burley, Washington

Concrete, Washington

Port Ludlow, Washington

Vancouver, Washington

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

9
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
C
ROSLINDALE, MA | June 2014 | positive

This is a lovely shrub rose, sometimes considered a floribunda. Flowers are small, to 1.5", with up to 40 petals. Prolific bloom througho...Read More

K
| May 2011 | positive

I have two Bonicas growing happily in my zone 3 garden in Calgary, Alberta. They are prolific bloomers throughout all of our short season...Read More

T
Casco, WI | December 2010 | positive

This rose is more hardy than many but not as hardy as advertised, in my experience. I needed to box it up and bury it in ground to get i...Read More

S
Souderton, PA (Zone 6b) | September 2010 | neutral

I have had eight Bonica roses growing in front of my house for the last twenty years. They are extravagant bloomers in June and then rep...Read More

M
Albany, NY (Zone 5a) | June 2010 | neutral

I've had the Bonica for several years, each year I prune it lightly. This year, I guess I didn't prune it enough: it is so loaded with bl...Read More

B
B
San Francisco, CA (Zone 10a) | July 2009 | positive

A tough, vigorous rose. Relatively pest-free and flowers with abundance from late spring until frost. Hips are attractive in winter. Sh...Read More

L
Novato, CA | August 2008 | positive

I love this rose. I wanted a rose that would make a shrub border in front of the house. This has been a problem area, since it only gets ...Read More

L
Amherst, NH | July 2008 | positive

My rose bush has been blooming all spring! It's July and I still see buds forming. Love watching the rose open and the bloom is beautiful...Read More

C
Elmhurst, IL | April 2008 | positive

A terrific shrub rose. Very good disease resistance, cold hardiness and vigor. An attractive plant with pleasing small pink roses. Near...Read More

S
Marietta, GA (Zone 7b) | February 2007 | positive

From HGTV.com's list of carefree roses by Mary C. Weaver

'Bonica': A sweetheart of a rose, 'Bonica' combines both virtue a...Read More

J
J
Belfield, ND (Zone 4a) | June 2005 | positive

This is a gorgeous rose bush that performs all summer long with multiple blooms. My rose bush has had so many blooms at once that you ca...Read More

Featured
Regal Pelargonium (UK)'Imperial'
(Pelargonium x domesticum)
Sweat Bee
(Agapostemon virescens)
Jackdaw
(Corvus monedula)
Featured
Regal Pelargonium (UK)'Imperial'
(Pelargonium x domesticum)
Sweat Bee
(Agapostemon virescens)
Jackdaw
(Corvus monedula)