Rosa hybrid Vigorosa® Innocencia™ ('KORstarnow')

• Pollinators: The fragrant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, making it a great addition to pollinator-friendly gardens.
• Wildlife Resistant: Innocencia™ is generally resistant to deer and rabbits, making it suitable for gardens with frequent wildlife activity.

• Blooming Season: Innocencia™ blooms from late spring to fall (May to October), producing a continuous display of elegant white blooms throughout the growing season.

Groundcover Planting
Its spreading, low-growing habit makes it perfect for covering bare soil, suppressing weeds, and adding bright contrast to flower beds.

Edging and Pathways
Ideal for lining walkways or borders, creating a clean, soft-colored edge with continuous white blooms.

Mass Plantings
Provides a crisp, elegant look when used in large groupings across beds or open garden spaces.

Rock Gardens and Slopes
Performs well on sloping ground, where its form helps prevent erosion while softening the landscape.

Container Gardening
Compact enough for patio pots or balcony containers, offering a refined, low-maintenance display.

Formal and Minimalist Gardens
The pure white color and tidy shape make it suitable for monochromatic or structured landscapes.

The foliage is dark green and glossy, offering excellent resistance to common rose diseases such as black spot and powdery mildew. The dense, healthy leaves provide a perfect contrast to the pristine white flowers.

The pure white, cup-shaped flowers are semi-double, each measuring about 2-3 inches in diameter. The petals have a delicate texture, and the flowers are lightly fragrant, blooming in clusters for a full, lush appearance.

• Planting Season: Best planted in early spring or fall for optimal root establishment, though container-grown roses can be planted anytime during the growing season with proper care.
• Planting Depth: Dig a hole twice the width and depth of the root ball. Ensure the graft union (the knobby part above the roots) is 2 inches below the soil surface in colder climates, or at soil level in warmer areas.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Incorporating organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure improves soil quality and drainage.
• Spacing: Space plants 2-3 feet apart to ensure proper air circulation and allow room for mature growth.

Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches to maintain the plant’s shape and encourage strong, healthy growth. Deadhead spent blooms throughout the season to encourage continuous flowering.

Water regularly, especially during the first growing season to help establish deep roots. Once established, water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feels dry. Avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of fungal diseases.

Full sun is essential for optimal blooming and plant health. Ensure Innocencia™ receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

For Cut Flowers

• When to Harvest: In the early morning, when blooms are partially open but not fully unfurled.
  
• How to Harvest: Use sharp pruners to cut just above a 5-leaflet stem or outward-facing bud to encourage regrowth.
  
• Care After Cutting:
  
• Remove leaves below the waterline.
  
• Place immediately in clean, lukewarm water.
  
• Store in a cool spot for best vase life.
  

For Rose Hips

• Formation: Stop deadheading late in the season to allow hips to form.
  
• Ripeness: Hips ripen in late summer to fall, turning red-orange and firm.
  
• Harvesting: Cut hips cleanly with pruners. Use gloves to avoid thorn injury.
  
• Usage: Hips can be dried for tea, used in arrangements, or left on the shrub for wildlife interest.

Apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in early spring to promote healthy growth and abundant flowering. A second application can be made after the first bloom cycle. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.

• Pest & Disease: Innocencia™ is highly resistant to common rose diseases like black spot and powdery mildew, but regular monitoring for pests like aphids or spider mites is recommended. Treat any infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the roots. Avoid piling mulch directly against the stems to prevent rot.
• Winter Care: Hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. In colder regions, provide winter protection by mulching heavily around the base or using rose cones. In early spring, remove any winter-damaged branches to promote fresh growth.
• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage the plant to produce more blooms throughout the growing season.

While Innocencia™ is self-pollinating, it attracts bees and other pollinators, which contribute to a healthy, biodiverse garden.

Pair with plants that contrast in foliage or bloom color to enhance visual interest:

• Salvia nemorosa – Upright violet-blue spikes create striking contrast with white blooms.
  
• Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' – Soft yellow flowers blend beautifully and share similar sunlight needs.
  
• Lavender (Lavandula) – Adds fragrance and structure while deterring pests.
  
• Artemisia – Silvery foliage enhances the clean, white flowers and adds texture.
  
• Nepeta (Catmint) – Soft lavender tones and mounded form balance out the rose's spreading habit.
  
• Boxwood (Buxus spp.) – Low evergreen hedges provide a structured green backdrop for the rose's brightness.