Rosa ‘Livin’ Easy’ (Livin’ Easy® Tree Rose) is a deciduous floribunda rose grown as a tree, with a rounded head of glossy green foliage held on a single straight trunk. Its ruffled, double apricot-orange blooms, about 3–4″ across, open in clusters from late spring into fall and carry a fruity, citrus-like fragrance. Compact enough for patios, entries, and containers, it brings the color of a rose bed to eye level.
Origins And Landscape Adaptability
‘Livin’ Easy’ was bred in the United Kingdom by Harkness Roses from the parentage ‘Southampton’ x ‘Remember Me’. It won an All-America Rose Selections award in 1996 and has since become a reliable choice for gardeners who want a rose that blooms heavily without constant attention. As a tree rose, the floribunda is budded onto a straight trunk, creating a rounded canopy of blooms at the top.
Adaptable across a wide range of climates, it is rated for USDA zones 5–10 and Sunset Garden Zones 1–24, which includes California’s coastal, Bay Area, and inland regions. It tolerates heat, and the dense foliage resists common rose diseases such as black spot and powdery mildew.
Planting And Care Instructions
Sunlight: Livin’ Easy performs best in full sun, at least six hours of direct light daily. It tolerates partial shade but blooms most freely in sun.
Watering: Moderate, regular watering. Water deeply at the base rather than overhead to keep the foliage dry, and increase frequency in summer heat. Container-grown trees dry out faster and need more frequent watering.
Soil: Plant in well-draining, humus-enriched soil. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Fertilizing: Feed with a rose fertilizer after each bloom cycle, once new growth reaches 4–5″. Stop feeding before winter.
Pruning: Prune in late winter, before new growth begins, to remove damaged or crossing canes and to shape the canopy into a rounded head. Remove spent blooms through the season to encourage repeat flowering, and remove any shoots that sprout from the trunk below the canopy.
Staking: Support the trunk with a stake, especially in the first few years and in windy locations.
USDA Hardiness Zones: Rated for USDA growing zones 5–10.
Pollinators: The open, fragrant blooms attract bees and butterflies, and showy red hips follow in late fall.
Landscape Design Ideas
Use Livin’ Easy tree roses as a focal point at an entry, flanking a gate or path, or in a matched pair for a formal look. Their compact size suits patios and large containers, and they work well as a vertical accent in a mixed border, where the open space beneath the canopy leaves room for underplanting. The blooms are long-stemmed and fragrant enough to cut for the vase.
Underplant with drought tolerant perennials to cool the warm orange blooms and cover the bare trunk base. For a cottage look, try Salvia clevelandii ‘Allen Chickering’, whose blue-purple flowers complement apricot-orange. For a cleaner, more contemporary look, add the silver-blue tufts of Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Rosa ‘Livin’ Easy’ Tree Rose
What is a tree rose?
A tree rose, also called a standard, is a rose bush grafted onto a tall, straight trunk so the flowering canopy sits at eye level or above. The Livin’ Easy tree rose pairs a vigorous floribunda with a standard trunk.
How big does it grow?
The Livin’ Easy bush form grows 5 feet tall and wide. As a tree on a standard trunk, expect an overall height of roughly 5–6 feet, with a rounded canopy 3–4 feet across.
When does it bloom?
It blooms from late spring through fall, with repeat flushes of ruffled apricot-orange flowers. Flowers open pale apricot and deepen to orange as they mature.
Is it fragrant?
Yes. The blooms have a moderate fruity, citrus-like scent that is strongest in warm weather.
Is it disease resistant?
Yes. Livin’ Easy is known for its resistance to black spot and powdery mildew. Good air circulation and watering at the base help keep the foliage clean.
Does it lose its leaves in winter?
Yes. Livin’ Easy is deciduous. It drops its leaves in winter and puts out fresh glossy growth in spring.
Can I grow it in a pot or container?
Yes. Choose a large container with good drainage holes and fill it with quality potting mix. Container trees need more frequent watering and feeding than those planted in the ground.
What plants grow well with a Livin’ Easy tree rose?
It pairs well with drought tolerant perennials like Salvia clevelandii ‘Allen Chickering’ and grasses like Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’.
