Martha Stewart™ Tea Rose

The Martha Stewart™ Rose is a standout hybrid tea rose with lush, high-petal-count blooms in soft ballet pink with warm apricot tones. Each flower is full and romantic (often 100+ petals) and made even better by its refined fragrance—notes commonly described as bergamot, lemon verbena, and honeysuckle.

This variety stays nicely compact and bushy compared to many traditional hybrid teas, making it an easy fit for sunny foundation beds, mixed borders, and cutting gardens. It also performs well in larger patio containers where you can enjoy the fragrance up close.

We had this rose at a trade show recently, and everyone kept stopping by our booth to smell the roses because they were so fragrant. This was a plant trade show, so there were plants everywhere and this rose stood out because it was so fragrant. We regularly partner with MarthaStewart.com to write plant care articles, so we are really excited for this new introduction!

Martha Stewart™ Rose Care

Plant in full sun for the best flowering, ideally 6+ hours of direct sunlight per day. Choose well-drained soil and mix in compost at planting time to improve performance. Water deeply and consistently during the first growing season to establish a strong root system, then continue watering during dry stretches—roses do best with steady moisture rather than extreme swings.

Feed with a rose fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins, then again after the first big flush of blooms to support repeat flowering. Add a 2–3" layer of mulch to help retain moisture and keep roots cooler in summer.

Prune in late winter or early spring when buds start to swell. Remove dead or damaged wood first, then lightly shape the plant to encourage vigorous new growth. Deadhead spent blooms to keep the plant tidy and promote continued flowering. For best disease prevention, give the plant good airflow, water at the base instead of overhead, and clean up fallen leaves around the plant.

Martha Stewart™ Rose Spacing

Space plants about 30–36 inches apart to allow room for mature growth and better airflow. The Martha Stewart™ Rose typically reaches about 2.5–3 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide, so adequate spacing helps it fill in nicely without crowding, while also making pruning and maintenance easier.

The Story Behind the Martha Stewart™ Rose

The Martha Stewart™ Rose was selected with Martha’s input as a rose that represents her lifelong love of gardening—she wanted an apricot-pink color, a very full bloom, and exceptional fragrance. Bred by Meilland®, it was originally introduced in Europe as Jean de la Fontaine®, then launched in North America under the name Martha Stewart™ through Star® Roses and Plants.

This rose can also be enjoyed in the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden at the New York Botanical Garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

Martha Stewart™ Tea Rose Plant Facts