3 Ancient Gallica Roses for the Scented Garden

Rosa Gallica – the original wilde rose of Europe – is more commonly known as the French Rose. Although widely cultivated in France for centuries, its origins have been traced back further, to Greek and Roman times. It most likely arrived in France during the time of the 13th century crusades when French records detail the arrival of the Apothecary’s rose , known today as Rosa Gallica ‘Officinalis’.

By the 1800’s the Gallicas had become a firm French favourite, due in no small part to the Empress Josephine, who grew nearly 200 Gallica varieties’ at her famous garden ‘Malmaison.’

Admired for their hardiness, their beauty and their fragrance, the Gallicas also offer quality dense foliage and dark rich blooms. Especially beautiful in the naturalistic or wild garden, ‘Fine carelessness’ is how their growth habit was once described by Vita Sackville West, they are also compact and therefore good for the smaller garden. They are little trouble to grow and their dense bushy growth provides quality background foliage long after the flowers have finished.

Varieties:

Tuscany : (Old velvet rose) flat semi double flowers of darkest wine maroon. Velvety to the touch. With dramatically bright yellow stamens if grown in full sun. Tuscany is one of the darkest roses around. Strong bushy growth. If planted deeply spreads on its own roots. Moderately fragrant. 4ft x 3ft (c1800)

Ipsilante: One of the best gallicas with it large quartered blooms of lustrous light pink. Excellent vigorous growth. Attractive disease resistant foliage. Rich sweet fragrance 5ft x 4ft (c 1820) Flowers slightly later than most gallicas

Empress Josephine: (R x francofurtana) Large clear rose-pink blooms, veined with deep pink. Loose wavey petals. A beautiful pink rose. Not hugely scent but the flowers are followed by good hips. Good bushy growth 4ft x 3ft Older than its name suggests. It is thought that this rose was renamed when the famous rose grower – Empress Josephine – died in the 1850’s.

Planting: Plant ideally bare root in autumn.

Gallicas are not fussy roses and will tolerate a variety of soil types and even drought conditions. Can tolerate full sun and light shade but dislike boggy sites. Fully hardy and cold tolerant even to USA Zone 8 .

Will also grow, but not thrive, in humid condition.

Propagation: By semi-hard cuttings in spring. If planted deeply enough Gallica’s are prone to suckering and can be easily divided and rooted thus.

Note: For further reading Suzannes Verrier’s book Rosa Gallica (Firefly Books 1999) is both informative and charming.