Special Child Rose Bushes

• Variety: Special Child
• Type: Floribunda
• Colour: Soft pink
• Fragrance: Slight
• Height: 60cm (2ft)
• Flowering: Repeat flowering, June–October
• Aspect: Full sun to partial shade
• RHS AGM: Holds the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit
• Good for: Small gardens, containers, patios, mixed borders
• Sold as: Bare root (November–March) and potted plants
• Delivered: By next-day courier. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Special Child is a compact floribunda rose with soft pink double blooms and slight fragrance, flowering reliably from June through October. This RHS Award of Garden Merit winner is perfectly scaled for smaller gardens and containers, reaching just 60cm tall.

Special Child, a Floribunda Built for Smaller Spaces

If you garden in a small plot, grow roses in containers, or simply prefer a rose that doesn't sprawl, Special Child is the answer. This Dutch floribunda has been selected specifically to work where space is precious. The neat, bushy habit delivers abundant soft pink blooms throughout the season, each flower a perfect double form that holds its colour without fading in strong sun.

At 60cm tall, Special Child tucks into borders, patio pots, and raised beds where taller varieties would dominate. The slight fragrance is clean and fresh, more understated than some floribundas, allowing you to enjoy the floral display without overpowering scent. What makes this variety genuinely reliable is its repeat-flowering pattern: deadhead spent blooms and you'll be rewarded with wave after wave of new flowers from early summer until autumn frosts arrive.

The RHS Award of Garden Merit, granted in 2012, signals that this rose has proven itself in UK gardens over many years. It has weathered our climate, resisted common problems, and delivered consistent performance. That's worth far more than a season's enthusiasm.

Ideal for Pots and Mixed Plantings

Special Child performs beautifully in containers. A 45cm pot filled with John Innes No. 3 compost will support the plant for years, with annual top-dressing each spring. This opens roses to gardeners with patios, courtyards, and balconies. The soft pink blooms complement both traditional and modern pot colours, whether terracotta, slate, or matte black.

In borders, pair Special Child with other compact plants. Its modest height means it won't shade out neighbours, and the consistent colour works as a linking plant between stronger hues. The repeat-flowering habit also makes it valuable in mixed schemes where you want colour assurance from June through to the first hard frost.

Growing and Caring for Special Child

Plant in full sun to partial shade, with good soil drainage and air circulation. In containers, water regularly during the growing season but avoid waterlogging. Prune in early spring to shape the plant and remove any diseased wood. Throughout the flowering season, remove dead flowers to encourage continuous bloom. In autumn, reduce watering as growth slows. Most gardeners find this variety straightforward and reliable, asking little beyond the basics of rose care.

Companion Plants for Compact Roses

Surround Special Child with low-growing perennials and smaller shrubs to create balanced, colour-rich planting schemes. Lavender offers silvery foliage and purple flowers that warm the soft pink blooms. Alliums bring height and structure without bulk, their spherical heads providing architectural interest. Salvias in blue and purple tones create natural contrast. For foliage interest, underplant with silvery artemisia or grey-leaved heuchera. Consider also our floribunda rose collection to create a longer flowering season with complementary varieties.

Why Buy Your Roses from Ashridge Nurseries?

We've grown roses since 1949 and work with specialist growers to supply vigorous, healthy plants budded onto proven rootstock. Our Which? Gardening Best Plant Supplier award and Feefo Platinum recognition reflect that commitment. Browse our floribunda rose collection today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Special Child suitable for a north-facing border?

Special Child tolerates partial shade and will flower in north-facing positions, though it performs best with at least four hours of direct sun daily. Read our rose growing guide for aspect recommendations.

When should I prune Special Child?

Prune in early spring, around March, removing dead wood and cutting back stems to outward-facing buds at about 30-40cm. Our pruning guide covers the technique in detail.

Can I grow Special Child in a large pot on a patio?

Yes, absolutely. Use a 45cm terracotta or plastic pot with drainage holes, filled with John Innes No. 3 compost. Water regularly during the growing season and top-dress each spring with fresh compost.

Does Special Child need a lot of feeding?

Feed with a balanced rose fertiliser in April as growth starts, then switch to a high-potassium feed in June to support flowering. Stop feeding in August to allow the plant to harden for winter.

How long do the flowers last on the plant?

Individual blooms typically last 7-10 days before fading. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous new blooms. With deadheading, you'll enjoy flowers from June right through to the first autumn frosts.