Growing Centifolia Roses (Rosa centifolia)

These Old Garden Roses are still the subject of much debate when it comes to discussing their parentage but most rosarians agree they are beautiful specimens – even if they aren’t one hundred percent sure how we ended up with them. Popularized by the Dutch, these beauties are now beloved by many.

Cultivation Information and How to Grow Centifolia Roses

Hardiness Zones – Centifolia roses are hardy to zones 4 or 5.

Bloom Time & Color – Once blooming, the Centifolia roses begin blooming in late spring with large, fragrant blooms that last for weeks. Centifolia roses are also called ‚”cabbage roses” because of the many petals each flower has. Blooms are typically red, pink or white but Gallica parentage is suspected due to the striped and variegated blooms that can appear. A few cultivars are repeat blooming.

Foliage – Dense foliage is often grey-green or olive colored making it an attractive companion throughout the season. Some are susceptible to blackspot in areas with wet summers.

Growth Habit – Centifolia rose bushes tend to be around 4′-6′ and have gently nodding, loosely arching growth habit. Often the canes bend towards the ground under the weight of the blooms so some support by fence, close planting or staking can be helpful.

Dimensions – Typically around 6′ tall and wide, the Centifolia roses have lax, open growth that can take up quite a bit of room in the garden.

Maintenance – Light pruning is needed to control the growth of this rose bush in small garden situations. If the bending canes are unattractive to your eye you can prune the long canes back by 1/3-1/2 in late winter to help prevent the extra weight of the flowering spurs from weighing down the canes.

Pests or Diseases – Powder mildew or black spot can be a problem for some cultivars.

Using Centifolia Roses in the Garden

Preferred Conditions – Like most roses these prefer full sun and fertile soil that doesn’t have standing water.

Companion Plants – Centifolia works well as an informal hedge because of the very thorny canes. It mixes well with other late spring and early summer blooming perennials such as Lavender, Coreopsis or Iris.

Uses in the Garden – Use as a hedge or along a fence line where the lax growth habit won’t be a problem. Perfect for an informal, cottage garden feel as well as for harvesting fragrant cut flowers for indoor arrangements.

Popular Centifolia Varieties & Cultivars

• Bullata – Grown for its unusual crinkled, olive green foliage that provides interest even after the very fragrant, pink flowers stop blooming late spring.
• Chapeau de Napolean (Rosa centifolia cristata) – The ‚”Crested Moss Rose” is so called because of the fuzzy sepals known as ‚”moss” that appear on the buds before they open to reveal pink, fragrant flowers. Only 5′ tall this centifolia is one of the most popular because it fits well in a small garden and it’s disease resistant makes it a low-maintenance choice.
• Fantin Latour – If you’re looking for a small garden climbing rose this 6′ tall centifolia with flexible, thornless canes is easy to train to fence or short trellis. Large pink flowers and heady fragrance are a bonus!
• Petite de Hollande – This dwarf centifolia grows to only 4′ tall and is good for containers where the fragrant double blooms can be enjoyed.
• Tour de Malakoff – One of the darkest colored centifolia flowers these magenta purple roses are fragrant and closer to a hybrid tea in shape. The upright canes do not require support.
• Village Maid (Rosa centifolia variegata) – Zone 5. Hailed as proof of Gallica rose influences on Centifolias, the ‘Village Maid’ is also called ‘Cottage Maid’ or ‘Variegated Cabbage Rose’ and has multi-colored flowers. They’re not only fragrant but pure white with streaks of pink and would an excellent cutting rose.

Sources: Cultivar information is based on American Rose Society ‚”Handbook for Selecting Roses” 2007. Additional information on using roses in the garden was found in The Heirloom Country Garden by Sarah Heffner. Historic information was also found in The Rose Book by Graham Stuart Thomas and Paul Barden’s website on historic roses.