The name "Panama rose" is applied to both Rondeletia leucophylla and Rondeletia splendens, though neither plant looks like a rose (Rosa spp.). Rondeletia leucophylla, also commonly known as bush penta, is the larger of the two species, growing up to 15 feet tall with lance-shaped leaves reaching 4 inches long. Rondeletia splendens is a more sprawling shrub, with a maximum height of only about 3 feet. Both species are evergreen and produce dark-pink to rose-red tubular flowers with yellow eyes. Rondeletia leucophylla is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11 and Rondeletia splendens in USDA zones 10 through 11. Growing either plant is fairly simple.
Keep either kind of Panama rose in well-drained soil exposed to full sun or partial shade. Preferably the location is near a porch or windows because each plant's sweet scent becomes obvious only at night – that of Rondeletia splendens very late at night. Rondeletia leucophylla grows best in acidic soil and should stand about 10 feet from any other shrubs. Rondeletia splendens is not picky about its soil's pH level and can be spaced 3 feet from other plants.
Water your in-ground Panama rose plant deeply about only once each week during the dry season and not at all during the wet season. Rondeletia leucophylla is prone to root rot. If it drops lots of leaves during winter, that is generally a sign of root problems. Grow Rondeletia leucophylla in a large, clay pot instead of in the ground if it develops those problems.
Expect Rondeletia leucophylla, which is a short-day plant, to bloom most heavily from December through May. Rondeletia splendens can flower intermittently all year. Cut back a Rondeletia leucophylla by two-thirds in late spring after it finishes blooming. Don't prune Rondeletia leucophylla after midsummer because that is when it begins making buds for winter. Cut back Rondeletia splendens by two-thirds whenever it becomes too rangy.
Fertilize both types of Panama rose in March, June and September with a 5-5-5, organic, granular fertilizer. Use about 1/2 cup of the fertilizer per application for a Panama rose that is 2 feet or shorter, and use up to 3 cups of the fertilizer per application for the largest, 15-foot plant. Work the fertilizer into the soil around the plant just before a watering, and water the soil immediately.
Things You Will Need
- Watering can or garden hose
- Large, clay pot (optional)
- Pruning shears
- 5-5-5, organic, granular fertilizer
- If grown in a container, a Panama rose will be smaller than normal, with Rondeletia splendens usually reaching no more than 16 inches tall and Rondeletia leucophylla about 3 feet in height.
- Both species will be damaged if the temperature drops below freezing. Cover them before the temperature falls to that level.
- Orlando Sentinel: Panama Rose
- ZipcodeZoo.com: Rondeletia Leucophylla
- ZipcodeZoo.com: Rondeletia Splendens
- Container Plants; Byron E. Martin and Laurelynn G. Martin
- Denver Botanic Gardens, Gardens Navigator: Rondeletia Leucophylla
- Fragrant Gardens: How to Select and Make the Most of Scented Flowers and Leaves; H. Peter Loewer
- University of Connecticut: Rondeletia Leucophylla H.B. and K., Panama Rose
- Almost Eden: Panama Rose
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images