shrub RHS Award

Bonica Rose

Rosa 'Meiggili'

The Story

Plant Bio

Rosa is a vast genus of woody perennial flowering plants, known as roses, grown for their beautiful and often fragrant flowers. They range in form from compact shrubs to climbing vines.

Bonica® ('Meiggili') is a world-famous modern shrub rose, prized for its exceptional disease resistance, hardiness, and profuse clusters of delicate, double, light pink flowers. It blooms repeatedly from late spring until frost and produces attractive orange-red hips in the fall.

Uses & Benefits:

Bonica® provides a nearly continuous display of charming pink blossoms from spring to fall, making it a cornerstone of the mixed border or cottage garden. Its graceful, arching habit adds a soft, romantic feel.

Its dense, shrubby growth and hardiness make it an excellent choice for a low, flowering hedge or a mass planting on a slope for erosion control. The flowers are also suitable for cutting.

The flowers provide pollen for bees. If the last flush of flowers is not deadheaded, the resulting bright orange-red hips provide food for birds in the fall and winter and add to the plant's ornamental value.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

48 inches

Width

60 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Medium

Humidity

Good air circulation needed

Lifespan

Deciduous shrub, 10-20+ years

Native To

Hybrid Origin

Toxicity

Non-toxic, but thorns are sharp

Bloom period

Late spring – Mid-fall

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a location that receives at least six hours of direct sun.
Prepare rich, well-drained soil by amending with compost.
Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots comfortably.
Set the plant so the bud union is at or just above soil level.
Backfill the hole, gently firming the soil around the roots.
Water thoroughly and apply a layer of mulch.

Pro Tip

For best performance, provide consistent moisture and fertilize after each flush of blooms to fuel the next wave of flowers.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide full sun and good air circulation.
Water deeply at the base of the plant, avoiding the foliage.
Feed regularly throughout the growing season.
Deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming.
Prune annually in late winter to maintain shape and vigor.

Don't

Don't plant in a shady or crowded location.
Avoid overhead watering, which can encourage fungal diseases.
Don't allow the soil to dry out completely.
Stop fertilizing about six weeks before the first expected frost.
Avoid leaving spent blooms on the plant if you want repeat flowers.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Fertilize
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Romantic and continuous color for bordersHard-working and beautiful low hedgeClassic element in a cottage or cutting garden

Companion Plants

Nepeta faassenii Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'Lavandula angustifolia Clematis Geranium 'Rozanne'

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Bonica Rose questions

What zones can Bonica Rose grow in?

Bonica Rose is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Bonica Rose deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Bonica Rose, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Bonica Rose bloom?

Bonica Rose typically blooms in late spring through mid-fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Bonica Rose need full sun?

Bonica Rose does best in full sun (6+ hours).