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Mark A. Miller
Rosaceae
Rosa gallica
Crimson Damask Rose, Gallica Rose, Official Rose, Provence Rose, Red Rose of Lancaster
One of the most famed and ancient of cultivated roses, Gallica rose has been grown since early times for its fragrant flowers that were used medicinally, to flavor food, and to make perfume. European in origin, this vibrant pink-flowered shrub rose is relatively compact, very thorny and may sucker. It was commonly grown during medieval times but is still cultivated and valued today. The foliage is quite robust and disease resistant.
Rosa gallica has relatively dense stems lined with very prickly thorns. Its compound leaves have three to seven blue-green leaflets. Each leaflet is oval with serrated edges. The fragrant roses bloom in spring or early summer and are solitary. Each bloom is bright purplish or crimson pink with a flush of yellow stamens in the center. Some flowers have a white eye and several variants are semi-double. Blooming may last five to six weeks. Bees and other insect pollinators visit the blooms and smooth, oval, reddish brown hips follow.
Roses prefer full to partial sun, moderate temperatures and perfectly drained, slightly acid soil with average to good fertility. They grow best in places with slightly dry climates, because such climates disfavor the fungal diseases that plague them. For this reason, it is important to maintain good airflow within and between planted roses through good planting and pruning practices which will dissuade fungal attacks. Roses are also susceptible to a suite of viral and bacterial diseases as well as insect pests, so it is wise to select a robust and resistant cultivar when choosing a rose. This hybrid is relatively cold-tender and will not winter in areas such as the northern United States.
Several natural variants exist including the pink and white striped Rosa gallica var. versicolor and semi-double pink-flowered Rosa gallica var. officinalis.
10 - 1
5 - 8
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 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
Perennial
Full Sun, Partial Sun
3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Europe, Mediterranean, Turkey
Acidic, Neutral
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Medium
Average Water
Oval/Rounded
Spring, Summer
Showy
White, Pink, Hot Pink, Crimson
Bicolor
Red, Brown
Green, Blue Green
Green, Sandy Brown
Yes
No
Single, Semi-Double
Matte
Semi-Evergreen
Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
Birds, Butterflies
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