Roses of the Desert
By Ralph E. Mitchell
The very first plant I received when I moved to Charlotte County almost six years ago
was a Desert Rose given to me by Master Gardener volunteers as a welcome gift. It was
a plant I had heard of, but never grown before. First in a pot and then in the ground, this
flowering plant never disappointed me with its unique appearance and colorful flowers.
Desert Roses are very popular plants in our area now, and I would recommend them as a
gift for the gardener who collects plants.
To begin, the Desert Rose is not a rose at all, but a relative of some more familiar plants
including Allamandas, Plumerias, and Carissas. It originally is from desert regions
ranging from Africa to the Arabian Peninsula. Noted for thick stems and a swollen base,
Desert Roses have smooth grayish green branches and glossy green leaves. The base of
the plant or caudex is often noticeably swollen. The flowers in cultivated Desert Roses
are tubular with flared lips in shades of red and pink to white. I was very impressed with
my particular specimen that seemed to be in constant flower. Some desert roses are even
fragrant!
Desert Roses are good for containers or in the landscape. Containers work well because
they offer very good drainage and mobility if winter temperatures or overly rainy weather
occur. Use a well-drained (cactus) potting mix and a pot wide enough to accommodate
the expanding swollen stem. I eventually planted my Desert Rose in my landscape.
Frost did nip it back somewhat, but this seemed to make it bloom even more once
recovered. Select a full sun area in well-drained soil. Soil modifications may be needed
to ensure a well-drained area as excess moisture will promote stem and root rots. Raised
beds are one idea using loose rubble or rocks with sandy soil to build a flat, eighteen-inch
mound. Using a mixture of seventy five percent sand to twenty-five percent top soil,
plant the Desert Rose at the same depth it was in the pot being careful not to damage the
roots. Don‟t use organic mulch around Desert Roses as excess moisture retention can
encourage rots. Desert roses can take a lot of rain in temperatures above eighty degrees F
as long as the soil is well-drained. However, cool temperatures and moisture will initiate
problems. Don‟t be surprised by significant leaf loss during the winter – this is normal.
Temperatures below forty degrees F can cause branch tip damage and accordingly
protection during cold weather may be needed.
Some named cultivars to look for include „Singapore‟ with pink flowers and „Grumbley‟s
White‟ with white flowers. Local specialty growers may also have additional cultivars
and forms available. Try these “Roses of the Desert” in your yard today! For more
information on all types of plants for your Florida Yard, please contact our Master
Gardeners on the Plant Lifeline at 764-4340 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays. Our office is located at 25550 Harbor View Road, Suite 3 in Port Charlotte.
Our other Plant Clinics are available across the county:
Demonstration Garden every Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m.
Englewood/Charlotte Public Library 9 a.m. to noon every Monday.
Mid County Regional Library first Thursday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m.
Don't forget that Florida Yards and Neighborhoods or FYN is a program that our
office encourages as it promotes planting the "right plant in the right place", water
conservation, common sense pest management, sensible use of fertilizers,
composting, etc. that help develop a sustainable landscape. For more information
on this important, over-arching program, please contact Audrey Durr at 764-4340.
Ralph Mitchell is the county extension director/horticulture agent for the Charlotte
County Cooperative Extension Service. You may contact him
by e-mail Ralph.Mitchell@charlottefl.com. You may also contact a volunteer
Master Gardener at Master.Gardener@charlottefl.com.
Resource:
McLaughlin, J. & Garafalo, J. (2002) Desert Rose. The University of Florida Extension
Service, IFAS, Miami-Dade County