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Angel Face (Rosa 'Angel Face'), whole plant
  • Angel Face — close-up of leaves and flowers
  • Angel Face — seasonal appearance
  • Angel Face in a garden setting

Angel Face

Rosa 'Angel Face'

Medium · Some experience

About Angel Face

Angel Face is a classic ruffled mauve-lavender floribunda rose with strong citrusy fragrance, producing 4-inch wavy-petaled blooms in clusters on a compact 2 to 3 foot bush. A 1969 AARS winner and James Alexander Gamble Fragrance Medal recipient, it is a top fragrance floribunda and one of the most beloved lavender roses in American gardens.

  • Fragrant
WATER
Regular
Top inch dry
LIGHT
Full sun
6+ hrs direct
HARDY
Hardy to -20°F (-29°C)
USDA hardiness zones 5–9

How to care for Angel Face

Watering

  • Springevery 5 days
  • Summerevery 3 days
  • Fallevery 7 days
  • Winterevery 14 days

Soil · Rich & loamy

  • Top dressingBark mulch15%
  • Main mixRich loam + compost 3:170%
  • DrainageGravel15%

Use fully finished compost — fresh compost burns roots.

FERTILIZER

Balanced Feed 14-14-14

An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.

N33%P33%K33%
  • Nitrogen · Leaves
  • Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
  • Potassium · Strength
  • Springevery 30 days
  • Summerevery 30 days
  • Fallevery 45 days
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At a Glance

  • NativeNorth America
  • Height2–3 ft (0.6–0.9 m)
  • Spread2–3 ft (0.6–0.9 m)
  • Flower colorPurple
  • Foliage colorGreen
  • SoilLoamy, Well-drained, Rich
  • LocationsYard

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

May–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Deadhead clusters for repeat bloom; prune late winter

Fragrance

STRONG FRAGRANCE

Strong citrus and old-rose scent.

Toxicity

Humans Slight

Unknown toxic principle

Slight

  • Stem
  • Contact

EXPOSURE Touching stems.

EFFECT Pricks from thorns.

NOTE Not toxic; thorns cause mechanical injury.

Safe

EXPOSURE No exposure route is reported.

EFFECT No toxic effect is reported.

NOTE Listed as non-toxic for dogs; avoid eating ornamental plants unless confirmed edible.

Safe

EXPOSURE No exposure route is reported.

EFFECT No toxic effect is reported.

NOTE Listed as non-toxic for cats; avoid eating ornamental plants unless confirmed edible.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

DISTRIBUTION

Angel Face · Native
  • Native
  • North America

History

Illustrated historical scene for Angel Face

Rosa 'Angel Face' is a mauve-lavender floribunda rose bred by American hybridizer Herb Swim at Armstrong Roses in Ontario, California, released in 1968 from a cross of an unnamed seedling of 'Circus' and 'Lavender Pinocchio' crossed with 'Sterling Silver'. The clusters of loosely double blooms open a clear medium lavender to lilac, with ruffled petal edges often flushing deeper at the tips, and the cultivar carries a strong sweet citrus-and-old-rose fragrance widely considered one of the best in its color class. 'Angel Face' won the All-America Rose Selections award in 1969 and the American Rose Society's James Alexander Gamble Fragrance Medal in 2001.

The compact disease-resistant plant blooms continuously through the season, making it ideal for border and container use. Bred by Herb Swim at Armstrong Nurseries in California and introduced in 1968, winning AARS in 1969 and the James Alexander Gamble Fragrance Medal in 2001.

Remains one of the most celebrated lavender roses for its powerful fragrance and compact form.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

Angel Face Rose is heavenly love rendered in soft lavender ruffles, a Floribunda whose form seems borrowed from a Renaissance ceiling. Its rich, citrusy perfume earned it the prestigious Gamble Fragrance Medal, sealing its reputation as one of the great scented roses. In each cluster, romance and floral excellence meet in a color most roses never quite manage.

  • Heavenly love — soft lavender angelic form
  • Fragrance excellence — honored by the Gamble Fragrance Medal for distinctive rose perfume

Where the Name Comes From

Named 'Angel Face' for the soft heavenly beauty of its ruffled mauve-lavender blooms.

Uses & Fun Facts

  • Mauve-lavender blooms release strong citrus rose perfume
  • Ruffled clusters cut beautifully for fragrant indoor bouquets
  • Compact floribunda anchors small-garden borders and front beds

Related plants

More Rosa plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Angel Face?

In summer, water about every 3 days; in winter, about every 14 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.

How much light does Angel Face need?

Full sun: 6+ hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is Angel Face toxic to cats or dogs?

Pets Safe (Dogs Safe · Cats Safe) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is Angel Face easy to grow?

It is moderately demanding: a good choice once you have a little experience.

When does Angel Face bloom?

It typically blooms May–Sep in the Northern Hemisphere.

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