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The Tiffany Rose

If you ask a florist to name the best pink rose for cut flower arrangements, chances are they’ll pick the Tiffany rose.  If you look up this rose, you’ll notice some of the adjectives used to describe the Tiffany are “sophisticated,” “timeless,” “elegant,” “refined,” and “enduring.”  It’s a flower that makes people think of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s – and there’s a good reason for that!

If you’ve never heard of the Tiffany rose, keep reading because this is one rose you’ll definitely want to know about.  We can almost guarantee you’ll add one to your garden this spring!

Closeup of a Tiffany rose bloom.

History of the Tiffany Rose

Created by rose expert, Robert Lindquist, the Tiffany rose is a cross between ‘Charlotte Armstrong’ x ‘Girona.’  It was introduced and registered by the Howard Rose Company in 1954.  The rose was named for the famous Tiffany jewelry store on 5th Avenue in New York City.

The Tiffany rose was an instant success and quickly earned some prestigious awards within a short time following its release:

  • In 1955 it was awarded top American rose by Portland Rose Society.
  • In 1957 it won the ARS David Fuerstenberg Prize.
  • In 1962 it won the James Gamble Fragrance Award.

Tiffany was used to create other rose varieties including ‘Granada,’ ‘Alabama,’ ‘Sweet Surrender,’ and ‘R.K. Witherspoon.’

Pink hybrid tea roses.

Characteristics of The Tiffany Rose

The Tiffany rose is a hybrid tea rose that grows 3-4 feet tall and 2 feet wide.  It’s a medium-tall, upright shrub that produces an abundance of pink blooms that pop against the shrub’s dark green foliage.  Growers comment on the Tiffany’s “straight up” stature being unlike other rose shrubs.

Its size, shape, and moderate growth rate make Tiffany a good candidate for planting in containers.

What Is Significant About This Flower?

The Tiffany is one of the hardiest hybrid tea roses so even novice rose gardeners successfully grow Tiffanys.  It’s resistant to both black spot and rust.  But it’s susceptible to powdery mildew, particularly in cool coastal regions.

Be aware that the stems are very thorny!

Single pink hybrid tea rose bloom.

When Does It Bloom?

Tiffany blooms continually from late spring to fall.

Bloom Description

A Tiffany rose shrub produces large, 4-inch double blooms with 25-30 petals.  The flowers are pink, but not just any pink.  One retailer describes it as “phlox-pink with a yellow base.”  Another says “rose pink, yellow undertones, salmon-pink shading.”  It’s a textbook perfect shade of pink, which is why it’s the favorite pink rose among florists.

The rose has an extremely fragrant, lemon-rose scent (it won a fragrance award, after all).  Gardeners have said these roses can be smelled from other parts of their yard or gardens!

Closeup of Tiffany roses.

Can You Grow a Tiffany Rose At Home?

Tiffany roses are available to home gardeners, which means you can plant and grow them at your home.

Why Would You Want To Grow It At Home?

Most roses either look good or smell good – they rarely do both.  The Tiffany is one of those rare cases of a textbook beautiful rose that also has a heavenly fragrance – that’s why you’d want one (or more) of these growing in your yard or garden!

How To Grow a Tiffany Rose

Tiffany roses aren’t hard to grow, which is yet another reason they’re popular with home gardeners.

A single Tiffany rose bloom.

When To Plant It

Plant roses in early spring.  After planting, the Tiffany rose does need protection from late spring freezes.

Where Should You Plant It? 

The Tiffany rose can be grown in zones 4-10, although the ideal zones it thrives in are 7b-9b.  Tiffany needs some heat for blooms to be their absolute best color.

Plant Tiffany shrubs outdoors either in-ground or in large containers.  Select a location that receives full sun or partial shade (at least 6 hours of sun a day).  

As long as they get the sun they need, you can grow Tiffany roses indoors, but they need large pots for root growth.

Soil

All roses need well-drained, loamy, soil amended with humus.  The soil pH should be between 6-6.9.  Use a soil test kit to determine what, if any, amendments need to be mixed into the soil where you plan to grow your roses.

Watering

Tiffany roses need 3 gallons of water 2-3 times a week during the growing season (if rainfall is low).  Water in the morning so there’s moisture for the shrub to use during the day.

Tiffany Rose Bush Care

Tiffanys need a 5-5-7 fertilizer.  Spread granules when new growth forms 4-6 weeks after planting and then re-apply every 3 months.

Remember Tiffany’s susceptibility to powdery mildew?  To prevent mildew, spray the shrub with water on a strong spray setting in the morning twice a week to prevent mildew.  This spraying also discourages aphids and spider mites.

Pruning the Tiffany Rose

Don’t prune a Tiffany during the first year after planting (other than cutting spent blooms to encourage new ones).  Once the shrub’s had a year to become established it requires a regular pruning routine.

Closeup of pruning shears cutting a rose cane.

In the winter, cut dead or damaged/diseased canes and cut back any canes that cross.

In the early spring, cut back 1/3 of growth in warmer climates. For colder climates, cut back a little more.

After pruning, you can seal cuts with white school glue (like Elmer’s).

Pruning to remove spent blooms or to shape the bush can be done at any time – just don’t overdo the shaping.

Using Tiffany Roses For Bouquets/Decor

Where Can You Buy It In a Bouquet? (If applicable?)

Tiffany rose centerpieces can be purchased here.

Where To Buy Tiffany Rose Shrubs

This award-winning rose shrub is widely available in potted containers or as bare root roses from nurseries, garden centers, or from online retailers (such as Nature Hills Nursery).

Where To Buy Tiffany Rose Cut Flowers

Contact local florist shops to ask for cut Tiffany roses.  As beloved as they are in the floral industry, you’re bound to find a shop that carries them. 

Wrapping Up the Tiffany Rose

Blooms on a Tiffany rose shrub.

Tiffany roses are standout specimens because they have it all – a classic, large bloom praised by florists and an award-winning scent to boot.  They’re a must-have for fragrance gardens, cut flower gardens, and even containers for patios or balconies.  The gorgeous pink color of the blooms against the glossy, dark green leaves make a Tiffany rose the focal point of any garden setting.

Do you grow the lovely Tiffany rose in your garden? If so, we’d love for you to share your experiences in the comment section below! To read about lots of other kinds of roses, click here for

Excited for more rose content? Then keep reading all about these beautiful flowers, how to take care of them, and more on our roses page!