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'Lemon Spice' rose Reviews & Comments
Discussion id : 131-361
most recent 21 DEC 22 SHOW ALL
 
Initial post 21 JAN 22 by Planetrj (zone 11b/H2 pH 5.8)
If there was a such thing as a rose representing the story of The Tortoise and the Hare, that would be Lemon Spice.
What can I say about this which has not already been said?
First off, let's just say One Of A Kind Fragrance!. There's no other rose I've ever sniffed which has this delicious of a fragrance. It somehow transports me to places in my imagination, somewhere between Wonkaland, and a Citrus orchard in bloom. Sweet like bit o honey candy, spicy like an iced holiday cookie, yet powerful like jasmine and lemon flowers combined. That's just the tip of the iceberg for this little charmer.

The growth is slow and steady (Tortoise), so don't expect it to compete in a day at the racetrack. Patience is truly needed with this slow starter. Reminds me of a few others, and definitely like parent Signora. Once it takes off after three years of pampering it, then watch out! As long as you give it plenty of space, light, and nutritious soil, then it will begin. I've learned never to give up on them, because right about the time you're ready to throw in the towel, they begin to flourish and stun with the elements you get them for in the first place.

The overall growth seems to be incredibly restrained and optimal for those who have very limited spaces or want to grow on a patio rather than in-ground. However, that said, I planted mine directly into the ground in an area where I have hopes of it achieving it's maximum height, but at my own risk of course. It seems to be steady at about 18-22in. height at the moment, but I'm seeing that the canes don't age out fast, and the hopes of it being able to train as a tall shrub might be workable in the future with some coaxing. However, it may not be ideal for a cold climate where dieback will be eminent. This would surely need to be best grown in a place with no more than a small amount of intermittent chill. I would probably guess that it's best in Zone 8b or higher, just so that it won't suffer any dieback to give it the height it needs for it's sluggish growth.

That all being said, when it blooms, it will throw at random, and therefore seems like it doesn't go too long without at least one flower on the bush. It's probably not going to be a showstopper for it's size and appearance, but the fragrance is more than worth the lack of numbers.

Disease Resistance is iron clad, as far as I am concerned. Zero Spray and compost tea is the standard for all my roses. I've never seen any kind of disease on LS, where our annual rainfall is 120in. (there's at least one good rain every week), and average humidity steadily hovers around 60%. Many other roses succumb to this kind of environment. LS absolutely Thrives!

Lastly, the coloration of the flower is very nice. In full sun, it doesn't bleach out the yellow nearly as much as many other HT's like Eternal Flame, Midas Touch, Sunsprite, Golden Showers, and Michelangelo. It seems to be solid Buttery-to-Banana Yellow, with those unmistakable peach cheeks that truly set it's coloration apart and makes the plant set a signature look with the unique medium (tea sized) flowers.

I have yet to find any rose that could possibly even come close to filling the shoes of this MUST HAVE for me.
HIGHLY recommend Lemon Spice.
REPLY
Reply #1 of 1 posted 21 DEC 22 by Nola Z5a WI
I have to agree with you on Lemon Spice being a slow grower, but as you said the "fragrance", and beauty of bloom is the reason why I don't think about getting rid of it. My rose bought as a band in May 2018 (own root developed RMV shortly after arrival) has been planted in ground since 2019, 3 years now. Six months after it was planted It survived winter temperatures down to -26 degrees with mulch mounded for winter protection, and last winter with no winter protection with temperatures down to -19 degrees (I don't recommend not winter protecting it in my zone). It had dieback down to 6-12" in the spring 2022. I measured on Dec. 7, 2022 and it was 38"x22". I like this rose so much that I purchased 2 more own root roses to plant with it but in gallon containers this year.
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Discussion id : 128-139
most recent 15 JUN 21 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 15 JUN 21 by StrawChicago heavy clay zone 5
I went through a lot of hassle placing an order for own-root Lemon Spice but found out that it's not hardy for zone 5. A friend in zone 7 with over 300 roses informed that her Lemon Spice is a weak-grower. Plus Cynthia in zone 5 with over 900 roses informed me: " in my experience Lemon Spice is not remotely hardy and I can't pull it through in my most protected spot. I had one Firefighter that I kept for several years but I have had trouble overwintering a replacement. Still I'd rate that one as much more robust than Lemon Spice in my yard." Cynthia.
REPLY
Reply #1 of 1 posted 15 JUN 21 by Robert Neil Rippetoe
Yes, not a strong grower in some areas, but one I miss.

I had it here for years but finally lost it to shade and neglect.

It's still popular choice in Southern CA.
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Discussion id : 128-140
most recent 15 JUN 21 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 15 JUN 21 by StrawChicago heavy clay zone 5
double-posted, deleted.
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Discussion id : 109-619
most recent 24 AUG 20 SHOW ALL
 
Initial post 26 MAR 18 by Nola Z5a WI
Just informational Heirloom Roses lists this as Zone 5-10.
REPLY
Reply #1 of 13 posted 28 MAR 18 by Lavenderlace
Thanks Nola, for getting this updated! I have dozens of Lemon Spice and could never understand how a rose previously listed as Z7 did so well in single digits.
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Reply #2 of 13 posted 28 MAR 18 by Nola Z5a WI
Lavenderlace, I have one on order for this spring and I can't wait! What zone are you in and can you tell me how yours are doing and how long you've had them in? Do you winter protect them, and if so with what?
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Reply #3 of 13 posted 28 MAR 18 by Lavenderlace
I'm in no-spray Z8, almost 7, but I've had many of them through two winters of ice storms with temperatures plunging into the single digits, which is not normal for us. I have more than two dozen, need to count! I keep buying them to replace others because they happen to do so well here.

Their leaves stayed on all winter and I can't think of any canes that I even had to prune this spring. I didn't winter protect, other than surrounding with about a foot of manure/pine shavings even though half are on the north side with full shade in the winter, four hours at best in the summer. The full sun ones in 100+ temperatures do super also though.

Hope that helps! What zone are you in? I hope that she works out for you also!
REPLY
Reply #4 of 13 posted 29 MAR 18 by Nola Z5a WI
I'm in zone 5. I mounded my roses with mushroom compost and wood mulch this winter, intending to spread it out this spring but our winter has been very warm and short with little snow. We'll see how it turns out. Thank you for your comments though, it's always great to hear other rose enthusiast's experiences! I'm still learning, but very determined and any advice is much appreciated!
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Reply #5 of 13 posted 29 MAR 18 by Lavenderlace
Thanks so much for sharing and please keep us posted on how she does!
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Reply #6 of 13 posted 13 SEP 18 by Lavenderlace
Hi Nola! One thing that I thought that I would comment on is that here, own-root LS has a very low tolerance for poor drainage. Wet compost getting too high on lower canes seems to bother them faster than other varieties. We have make sure that her crown doesn't get too buried if that makes sense. Hope that yours are doing well!
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Reply #7 of 13 posted 26 AUG 19 by StrawChicago heavy clay zone 5
Thank you for that tip, I had the same problem with Neil Diamond (likes loamy soil) .. I piled up grass-clippings and the acid turned the cane black in rainy June.
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Reply #8 of 13 posted 29 AUG 19 by Nola Z5a WI
Hi Lavenderlace,
Yes after talking to Janet at RVR (that's where I purchased Lemon Spice and planted September 27, 2018) she also told me compost wasn't a good idea so I just used the wood mulch for the 2018-2019 winter and haven't had any problems thankfully! It has bloomed once this summer, one bloom, and started to take off so I'm hoping next summer will be better. :)
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Reply #9 of 13 posted 23 AUG 20 by StrawChicago heavy clay zone 5
Nola: How did your Lemon Spice fared through winter as own-root? Also what type of soil do you have: sandy, loamy, or thick clay? Thanks for any info.
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Reply #10 of 13 posted 24 AUG 20 by Nola Z5a WI
Lemon Spice own root came through the winter just fine z5a. It is not the most vigorous plant but is coming along. I did mound with mulch, about a 1/2 bag after Thanksgiving and didn't uncover till late spring because we had weird freezes in April. I usually uncover by tax day but with weather forecasts predicting cold, I waited. It is, I have to say one of the most beautiful and tranquil roses to my eye. I did get blooms this summer but actually it was planted fall of 2018 so this would be the end of second summer, it actually did alright! :) My soil is brought in topsoil in a one railroad tie high bed, underneath is topsoil also. It doesn't look like clay, but just dark grey dirt. We get about 36" average rainfall each year, but about 42" of snow.
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Reply #11 of 13 posted 24 AUG 20 by StrawChicago heavy clay zone 5
Thank you !! I have much less snow than you, so I would need to heavily-winter protect it with leaves. My experience with low-thorn roses like Lemon Spice: they want it wet 24/7, that's how I lost low-thorn Frederic Mistral: its roots were big, but shallow and I didn't cover it with leaves that dry winter.
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Reply #12 of 13 posted 24 AUG 20 by Nola Z5a WI
I've kept track of the rain, if we don't get an inch of rain in a week I turn on the hose to the width of a pencil and lay it by the base for an hour, then on to the next rose! But that's all the water I've given it. :) Maybe it would do better with more water?
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Reply #13 of 13 posted 24 AUG 20 by StrawChicago heavy clay zone 5
It depends on your soil type. I have clay which retains water long, so slow drip like yours is great. But my clay is also poor drainage, and if I let water drip on any rose for 1 hour it'll black spot or lose leaves. 20 min. is enough to make my clay soaking wet beyond saturation. For someone with fast-draining sandy or loamy soil, short bursts of watering and more frequently also conserve water. Thorny roses can go for long interval (1 week) in between watering, but low-thorn roses want it wet 24/7 since their roots are more shallow.
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