Freiland literally means “open land” in German. Freiland roses are grown outdoors, directly in natural soil. The bushes need little support and are harvested every eight weeks — between May and October, as weather outside this period is too harsh for quality growth.

Freiland roses are only sold in Germany, which makes them difficult to source for Dutch wholesalers. Luckily, thanks to the strong connections of our rose buyer Marco, we regularly manage to stock this special rose in our shop.

Nature does most of the work in Freiland rose cultivation. Some growers use irrigation during dry spells, but rainwater is the main source. Germany’s mountainous landscape also plays a key role — offering natural protection from wind and intense sunlight.

After harvesting, a rose bush takes about eight weeks to bloom again. That means a specific variety is usually available for only two weeks at a time. Some growers speed up the process by cutting only half the stem, producing shorter stems but allowing quicker regrowth. This cycle makes Freiland production highly seasonal and non-standardised.

Freiland roses are deeply affected by the elements, which means not every rose is flawless. Many growers carefully check quality during sorting and packing, but occasional dirty or damaged outer petals are simply part of working with a natural product.

Only natural pest control is used in Freiland cultivation. This is one of the few human interventions, allowing the plants to grow in the most natural and sustainable way possible.