Rosa ‘Double Delight®’ – A Legendary Hybrid Tea Rose with Fragrance and Beauty
Rosa ‘Double Delight®’ is one of the most beloved Hybrid Tea roses in the world. Gardeners treasure this cultivar for its creamy white blooms edged in vibrant strawberry-red and its exceptionally strong fragrance. Bred in the United States by Swim & Ellis and introduced in 1977, ‘Double Delight®’ quickly earned international recognition and multiple awards. Its parentage combines the bold red and yellow ‘Granada’ (Lindquist, 1963) with the elegant ivory ‘Garden Party’ (Swim, 1959), producing a rose that remains iconic more than four decades later.
The family it belongs to, Rosaceae, includes some of the most admired ornamental plants and fruiting species. Among Hybrid Teas, ‘Double Delight®’ continues to stand out for its intoxicating scent and its dramatic two-tone coloring that intensifies in sunlight. This is a rose that not only performs well in the garden but also shines as a cut flower.
The Beauty of Rosa ‘Double Delight®’
The blooms of Rosa ‘Double Delight®’ are large, double, and high-centered, often reaching more than 10 cm (4 inches) in diameter. Each flower carries 24–30 petals, forming a lush and somewhat old-fashioned appearance. The creamy white base of the petals contrasts with the strawberry-red edges, a combination that deepens in color when exposed to ultraviolet light. This means that flowers grown outdoors develop vibrant red margins, while blooms produced in greenhouses, where UV light is filtered, appear ivory.
The fragrance is another hallmark. Many Hybrid Tea roses offer pleasant scents, but ‘Double Delight®’ delivers one of the strongest and sweetest fragrances in the rose world. Gardeners often describe it as rich and lingering, easily noticeable even at a distance.
Growth Habit and Size
‘Double Delight®’ forms a medium-tall, bushy shrub that reaches about 90 to 150 cm (3 to 5 feet) in height and around 60 cm (2 feet) in width. Its stems are long and sturdy, making it excellent for cutting and arranging. The foliage is dark green, glossy, and attractive, providing a strong backdrop for the dramatic flowers.
It performs best in warm, sunny locations where air circulation reduces the chance of fungal diseases. Hardy to USDA Zone 5 (down to −25 °C or −13 °F), it can tolerate cooler winters if well-protected. However, it thrives most reliably in Zones 7 to 10, where its repeat blooming continues from late spring until frost.
Common Names of Rosa ‘Double Delight®’
This rose is widely recognized under several names, which helps gardeners and collectors identify it across regions. The most common names include:
- Double Delight
- ANDeli (its breeder code)
- Double Delight Rose
- Double Delight Hybrid Tea Rose
These names all refer to the same award-winning cultivar.
Flowering Season of Rosa ‘Double Delight®’
The flowering season is long, stretching from late spring through autumn. Because it is a continual bloomer, you will see waves of flowers throughout the growing season. Regular deadheading encourages more buds to form, ensuring that your plant keeps producing its dramatic red-and-white blooms.
Rosa ‘Double Delight®’ as a Garden and Cut Rose
Gardeners prize ‘Double Delight®’ not only in landscape beds but also in containers, patios, and cutting gardens. The long stems and high-centered flowers make it an excellent choice for bouquets. Indoors, the fragrance perfumes entire rooms. Outdoors, the shrub creates a focal point with its rich coloring, especially when grouped with other roses or paired with blue and purple perennials like salvia or lavender.
How to Grow Rosa ‘Double Delight®’
Growing Rosa ‘Double Delight®’ successfully requires attention to light, soil, watering, and feeding. Because it is a Hybrid Tea rose, it demands a little extra care, but the results are worth every effort.
Light
Plant Rosa ‘Double Delight®’ in a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Full sun ensures strong blooms, vivid coloring, and good disease resistance. Morning sunlight is especially valuable because it helps dry the foliage after dew, reducing the risk of fungal infections.
Soil
This rose thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Improve heavy clay or sandy soil by incorporating compost or well-rotted manure before planting. Loose, nutrient-rich soil encourages strong root growth and better flowering.
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Water deeply once or twice a week, providing about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water each time. In hot climates or during dry spells, increase the frequency. Always water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to reduce disease risk. Mulching around the base helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Fertilizing
Feed Rosa ‘Double Delight®’ every 6 to 8 weeks during the growing season. Use a balanced rose fertilizer or one formulated for Hybrid Teas. Begin feeding in early spring after pruning and continue until late summer. Stop fertilizing in early autumn to allow the plant to prepare for winter dormancy.
Pruning
Prune in late winter or early spring when the plant is still dormant but before new growth begins. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing canes. Cut remaining healthy canes back by one-third to one-half, shaping the bush to encourage airflow. During the growing season, deadhead spent blooms promptly to encourage continuous flowering.
Propagation of Rosa ‘Double Delight®’
Propagation of this rose is best achieved through softwood cuttings taken in spring or early summer.
- Select a healthy, non-flowering shoot that is 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) long.
- Cut just below a node and remove the lower leaves.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone to encourage root development.
- Insert the cutting into a pot filled with well-draining potting mix.
- Keep the soil moist and place the pot in a bright, sheltered location with indirect light.
- After about 8 weeks, roots should develop. Once strong enough, the cutting can be transplanted into the garden the following year.
Pests and Diseases of Rosa ‘Double Delight®’
Like many Hybrid Tea roses, Rosa ‘Double Delight®’ can be susceptible to black spot and powdery mildew. Warm, humid weather increases the risk, but you can manage these problems with good cultural practices.
- Black Spot: Look for dark, circular spots on leaves that eventually yellow and drop. Remove infected leaves and avoid overhead watering. Preventative fungicidal sprays may help in severe cases.
- Powdery Mildew: White, powdery growth on leaves and buds signals this fungal disease. Improve air circulation and water at the base to reduce spread.
- Aphids: Small insects cluster on new growth and buds, sucking sap and causing distortion. Wash them off with water or treat with neem oil.
- Spider Mites: Fine webbing and stippling on leaves suggest their presence. Regular misting and biological controls can help.
With regular monitoring and proper care, ‘Double Delight®’ stays healthy and productive.
Environmental Tolerances
Rosa ‘Double Delight®’ tolerates heat well, though its blooms look best when days are warm and nights remain cooler. It is hardy to USDA Zone 5 with protection but grows most vigorously in Zones 7–10. In colder climates, protect the base with mulch in winter, and mound soil around the crown to prevent freezing damage.
Why Plant Rosa ‘Double Delight®’?
Few roses combine fragrance, color, and elegance as perfectly as Rosa ‘Double Delight®’. Its creamy white blooms with red edges make a dramatic statement in the garden, while its perfume delights anyone nearby. As a cut flower, it is unmatched, filling a vase with both beauty and scent.
Plant it as a specimen in your garden, grow it in a container for a sunny patio, or cut long stems for arrangements. With care, it rewards you with season-long blooms that few other roses can match.
For gardeners who want both fragrance and show-stopping color, ‘Double Delight®’ remains one of the most rewarding choices.
