Petal Pals
hybrid tea · 2006
A Whiter Shade of Pale
Rosa 'A Whiter Shade of Pale'
90 cm to 120 cm (3 ft to 4 ft)
Height
Repeat
Blooming
Full sun
Light
5–9
Zone
Plant & Flower Traits
Rose type
hybrid tea
Bloom size
Large (approx. 9-12 cm)
Bloom habit
Large, fully double flowers borne mostly solitary or in small clusters on long stems.
Petal count
17-25 petals
Flowering
repeat blooming
Habit
upright
Color
blush
Fragrance
very strong
Foliage
Dark emerald green
Foliage surface
glossy
Fragrance Notes
Strong and sweet with distinct notes of citrus, chocolate lime, and candied peel.
Color Description
Palest blush pink to white with a high-centered form; blooms often fade to a steel white with age and may show a faint yellow blush at the petal base.
🌱 Growth & Garden Habits
Light
Full sun
Height
90 cm to 120 cm (3 ft to 4 ft)
Spread
80 cm to 100 cm (2.5 ft to 3 ft)
Soil
Tolerates most soil types including clay; prefers rich, fertile, humus-rich soil with a pH between 6.5 (slightly acidic) and 7.5 (slightly alkaline).
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5–9
Disease Resistance
Excellent (rated 7/10 for resistance by some experts)
🌿 Care Guide
Watering
Regular watering required, especially during establishment; prefers moist but well-drained soil and does not tolerate waterlogging.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced rose fertilizer (such as Toprose or a granular rose feed) in early spring. Supplement with bone meal or well-rotted manure during planting and mulching.
Pruning
Prune in late winter or early March (Pruning Group 15). Remove dead, diseased, or crossing stems and shorten strong remaining shoots to 4-6 buds (10-15cm from the base) to maintain an open center.
Pests & Diseases
Generally excellent disease resistance, particularly against blackspot, rust, and powdery mildew. May be susceptible to aphids, sawfly, and red spider mite in poor conditions.
🧬 Pedigree
Unknown (Registration name: PEAfanfare)
🏆 Awards & Recognition
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award of Garden Merit (AGM) 2012.