Valentine Heart Rose Bushes

• Variety Valentine Heart
• Type Floribunda
• Colour Soft rose-pink, double blooms in clusters with slightly ruffled petals
• Fragrance Slight — sweet
• Height 80cm (2.5ft)
• Flowering June to October, repeat-flowering
• Good for Borders, beds, containers, cutting, Valentine and anniversary gifts
• Sold as Bare root (November–March) and potted plants
• Delivered By next-day courier. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Valentine Heart is a soft rose-pink floribunda with clusters of double, slightly ruffled blooms and a sweet fragrance, flowering reliably from June through to October. This compact, bushy variety has become the enduring choice for Valentine's Day and anniversary celebrations, with a proven track record since its 1990 Dickson breeding in Northern Ireland.

Valentine Heart, the Perfect Pink for Every Romantic Occasion

There's something quietly satisfying about a rose that delivers on both name and character. Valentine Heart does exactly that. The soft rose-pink colouring is neither strident nor insipid — it sits in that agreeable middle ground where it works equally well in a cottage garden border or a formal bed, and looks equally at home in a vase on the kitchen table or arranged for a special dinner. The double blooms open in generous clusters, their slightly ruffled petals giving them a gentle, almost informal charm that feels far less stiff than many floribundas.

Bred at Dickson's nursery in Northern Ireland in 1990, Valentine Heart earned a Certificate of Merit from the Royal National Rose Society — no small achievement in competitive rose breeding. That recognition has translated into consistent popularity, particularly around February and in the weeks leading up to anniversaries. Gardeners choose it year after year because it simply works: reliable, unfussy, generous with flowers, and blessed with that slight sweet fragrance that justifies calling it a rose rather than a flowering shrub.

The habit is compact and bushy, typically reaching 80cm (2.5ft), making it a natural choice for the front of a border or as a standalone feature in a small garden. Unlike some floribundas that sprawl or thin out with age, Valentine Heart holds its shape and remains well-furnished with foliage throughout the season.

Reliable Repeat-Flowering from June to October

Few things are more demoralizing than a rose that flowers once and then goes quiet for months. Valentine Heart isn't like that. From June through to the first sharp frosts of October, it delivers successive flushes of bloom with remarkable consistency. This is the floribunda at its best — a workhorse variety that provides colour and interest for a genuine six-month season without fuss or hand-wringing. Deadhead spent flower clusters and you'll encourage even more blooms to follow.

Why This Rose Suits Containers and Cutting

The compact growth habit and clustered blooms make Valentine Heart a natural for container planting. In a 40cm pot with good potting compost and regular feeding, it will flower just as prolifically as it does in the border, and you'll be able to move it around the garden or patio to suit your scheme. The blooms also last well in the vase — a bonus if you like to cut a few stems for the house.

Companion Plants for Romantic Roses

Valentine Heart's soft rose-pink colouring partners beautifully with silver-leaved companions like artemisia or senecio, which lift the blooms and create a softer overall picture. Lavender, both for its colour and fragrance, makes an excellent neighbour. For vertical interest, underplant with catmint or hardy geranium, or pair it with other floribunda roses in complementary tones. If you're planning a scented garden corner, scented roses and lavender plants create a cohesive display. Herbaceous perennials such as foxglove and delphiniums add height and structure behind it.

Why Buy Your Roses from Ashridge Nurseries

We supply Valentine Heart budded onto vigorous rootstock, grown for us by specialist rose growers. As winners of the Which? Gardening Best Plant Supplier award and the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, we know how to deliver healthy, establishment-ready roses. Browse our full floribunda rose collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to plant Valentine Heart?

Bare root roses are best planted November to March when dormant. Potted roses can go in the ground year-round, but establishment is fastest in autumn and spring. See our rose growing guide for detailed planting advice.

How much sun does Valentine Heart need?

Floribundas need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for reliable flowering. Valentine Heart will tolerate part shade but flowers best in full sun. Ensure good air circulation to minimize disease risk.

How do I prune Valentine Heart?

In March, cut back to 30-40cm and remove dead or crossing stems. During the growing season, deadhead spent clusters to encourage repeat flowering. Our pruning guide has step-by-step instructions.

Is Valentine Heart fragrant?

Yes, it has a slight sweet fragrance, though not strongly perfumed. If powerful scent is a priority, explore our scented roses collection for varieties with more pronounced fragrance.

Can I grow Valentine Heart in a pot?

Absolutely. Use a 40-50cm container with quality potting compost, plant in full sun, and feed fortnightly during the growing season. Water regularly and deadhead consistently for best flower production.