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

Veterans Honor

Rosa 'Veterans Honor'

Medium · Some experience

About Veterans Honor

Veterans Honor is a deep dark-red hybrid tea rose producing huge 5 to 6 inch long-stemmed high-centered blooms with a light raspberry fragrance. Growing 5 to 6 feet tall with upright vigor and deep green foliage, it is one of the most popular commemorative roses in America, with proceeds benefiting the Fisher House Foundation supporting military families.

  • Cut-flower
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 Veterans Honor

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
Get watering reminders for Veterans Honor — free on iPhoneDownload on the App Store

At a Glance

  • NativeNorth America
  • Height4–5 ft (1.2–1.5 m)
  • Spread3–4 ft (0.9–1.2 m)
  • Flower colorRed, Burgundy
  • Foliage colorGreen
  • SoilLoamy, Well-drained
  • LocationsYard

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

May–Sep

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

Deadhead for repeat bloom; prune late winter

Fragrance

LIGHT FRAGRANCE

The flowers have a light raspberry 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

Veterans Honor · Native
  • Native
  • North America

History

Illustrated historical scene for Veterans Honor

Rosa 'Veterans Honor' is a dark red hybrid tea rose bred by Dr. Keith W. Zary at Jackson & Perkins, released in 1999 from proprietary parentage. Jackson & Perkins partnered with the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the Veterans of Foreign Wars to select the cultivar as the official commemorative rose for American military veterans, and a portion of every sale supports veteran-care charities. The velvety dark crimson blooms reach thirteen centimeters across on exceptionally long straight stems, making 'Veterans Honor' a premium florist's rose in addition to a garden variety.

A light raspberry fragrance complements the color. A portion of proceeds benefits the Fisher House Foundation, which provides housing for military families during hospital treatment.

Has become an iconic American commemorative rose. The plant is vigorous, upright, and moderately disease-resistant, and the cultivar is widely planted in memorial gardens at veterans' hospitals, cemeteries, and military bases across the United States.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

The Veterans Honor Rose carries honor and sacrifice in its very name, a tribute to military veterans paired with a charitable mission supporting those who served. Its deep red blooms read as both reverence and remembrance. To grow it is to keep a living memorial in the garden — a flower whose meaning is tied not just to beauty but to the people for whom it stands.

  • Honor — tribute to military veterans
  • Sacrifice — commemorative rose with charitable mission

Where the Name Comes From

Named 'Veterans Honor' in 2000 as a tribute to American military veterans and their sacrifices.

Uses & Fun Facts

  • Deep red blooms release strong raspberry-rose perfume
  • Long straight stems and rich red blooms classic in florist bouquets
  • Vigorous hybrid tea with velvety dark-red high-centered blooms

Related plants

More Rosa plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Veterans Honor?

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

How much light does Veterans Honor need?

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

Is Veterans Honor 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 Veterans Honor easy to grow?

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

When does Veterans Honor bloom?

It typically blooms May–Sep in the Northern Hemisphere.

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