China Rose

Basic Information

Seed Number

118

Seed Name

China Rose

Variety

Not recorded

Category

Flower

Plant Family

Rosaceae

Plant Type

China rose (Rosa chinensis)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 24

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 15

Plantable Months

March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Mar 24 – Apr 7

Direct Sow

May 6 – Jun 15

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

6 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

21–28 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

Not recorded

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

6-8 ft

Row Spacing

6-8 ft

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun to partial shade

Water Needs

Moderate water; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged and water at the base rather than overhead

Soil Preference

Moist, well-drained loam with good organic matter; approximately neutral pH

Minimum Container Size

10 gal

Plant Height

6-8 ft

Perennial/Biennial Status

Perennial

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

Yes

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Direct sow or start indoors
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 1 – Jul 1
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 60–100 days
Succession / Reusable Notes: Good for annual herb beds and pollinator strips.
Zone 6B Notes: Harvest flowers/leaves regularly depending on crop.
Companion Plants: Vegetables, calendula, chamomile, basil, dill, pollinator flowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Overcrowding
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Rosa chinensis is listed as hardy through Zone 6B. Seed-grown plants can vary considerably, so mature size and flower form may differ from named vegetatively propagated China rose cultivars.
Germination: Soak seeds in warm water for about 24 hours before sowing. Germination may be irregular and can require patience.
Harvest: Flowers may be cut as they begin opening. Deadheading encourages additional bloom flushes.
Seed Saving: Allow selected hips to fully ripen before extracting seed. Seedlings are genetically variable and will not reproduce a named parent cultivar exactly.
Special Care: The common name 'China Rose' can also be used for tropical Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. This record uses Rosa chinensis because commercial flower seed sold specifically as China Rose is documented under that botanical name.
Research Source: NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rosa-chinensis/ — Rosa chinensis identity, Zones 6a-9b, 6-8 foot size, sun, soil, water, pollinator value and perennial shrub habit
Research Source: Outsidepride — https://www.outsidepride.com/seed/flower-seed/rosa-chinensis.html — China Rose seed propagation, 21-28 day germination, 1/4-inch sowing depth, container use and pollinator attraction
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]