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Rosa 'Empress Joséphine'

Image of Rosa 'Empress Joséphine'

Family

Rosaceae

Botanical Name

Rosa 'Empress Joséphine'

Plant Common Name

Empress Joséphine Gallica Rose, Gallica Rose

General Description

Gallica roses are valued for their compact habit, disease resistance, hardiness, and showy spring to early summer bloom. These "old roses" trace their ancestry to the European native Rosa gallica.

An heirloom variety dating to the early nineteenth century, 'Empress Joséphine' produces sprays of large, double, rose-pink flowers with rose-purple veining and shading. Bloom continues for several weeks in spring and early summer. The loosely structured blossoms have a mild fragrance. Bright orange-red "hips" follow the flowers. This bushy, compact, upright to slightly spreading shrub has gray-green leaves and thornless stems. It may sucker if grown on its own roots.

This cold-hardy, disease-resistant rose grows best in temperate climates with enough winter chill to allow for dormancy. It prefers full to part sun and good air circulation, and tolerates a wide variety of soils. Use as a hedge, in mixed borders, or in cottage gardens.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    4 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    4'-5' / 1.2m - 1.5m

  • Width

    4'-5' / 1.2m - 1.5m

  • Bloom Time

    Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Pink, Rose

  • Fruit Color

    Red, Orange Red

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Gray Green

  • Bark Color

    Green, Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Double

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No