Rose 'Charles de Mills', Rose 'Ardoisée', Rose 'Bizard Triomphant', Rose 'Bizarre Triomphante', Rose 'Maheca de Dupont', Rose 'Pourpre noir', Rosa gallica atropurpurea, Rose Bleue', Rose Violette Bronzée, Gallica Roses, Shrub Roses
Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ is an extraordinary heirloom rose treasured for its unique blooms, rich fragrance, and historical significance. Believed to have been introduced in the late 18th or early 19th century, this Gallica rose captures the charm of old-world gardens. The name “Charles de Mills” likely honors an individual whose identity remains shrouded in mystery, adding a sense of intrigue to this timeless variety.
Celebrated for its deep crimson blooms with shades of purple, Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ is a classic choice for gardeners who seek elegance, resilience, and a connection to history. As a once-blooming rose, it creates a breathtaking display of color and fragrance in late spring and early summer, making it a standout addition to any garden.
Roses belong to the Rosaceae family, which includes other plants such as Apples (Malus domestica), Peaches (Prunus persica), and Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa).
Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ is a vigorous deciduous shrub rose known for its opulent, densely packed blooms. Its flowers boast a unique flattened, quartered form that adds a striking architectural element to the plant. The petals transition from deep crimson to purple hues as they mature, creating a captivating effect.
This rose exudes a strong, old-fashioned fragrance that lingers in the garden, making it a delight for rose enthusiasts. Its once-blooming nature ensures an intense burst of color and scent during its flowering period, which typically lasts for several weeks in late spring and early summer.
As a Gallica rose, Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ has its origins in central and southern Europe. Gallica roses are among the oldest cultivated roses, known for their hardiness, adaptability, and historical significance. These roses were highly prized in medieval Europe, where they were grown for their ornamental beauty and medicinal properties.
Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ embodies the enduring legacy of Gallica roses, bringing centuries-old charm to modern gardens.
This rose is a deciduous shrub with a compact, bushy growth habit. Its upright canes, almost thornless, bear clusters of lush blooms, creating an elegant and refined appearance. The plant’s dense foliage and abundant flowers make it an excellent choice for formal and informal garden designs.
Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ is moderate in size, making it suitable for various garden settings:
Its manageable size allows it to fit seamlessly into small or large gardens, offering versatility and beauty.
The flowers of Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ are its most distinctive feature:
The foliage consists of medium-green, matte leaves with a coarse texture. The pinnate leaves provide a lush, dense backdrop that enhances the vivid color of the blooms.
This heirloom rose thrives in USDA Zones 4–8, making it suitable for a wide range of temperate climates. Its resilience and adaptability allow it to withstand cold winters and perform well in various growing conditions.
Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ is a versatile rose, valued for its charm and practical uses:
This old garden rose has been honored with the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, reflecting its exceptional qualities and performance in gardens.
Deer and rabbits can cause damage.
This heirloom rose is non-toxic to humans and pets, making it a safe choice for family-friendly gardens. Its petals are even edible and widely used in culinary and cosmetic applications.
This rose is not invasive. While it may produce occasional suckers, it does not spread aggressively in gardens.
This rose thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. For the best blooms, ensure at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
This heirloom rose prefers well-drained, loamy soil enriched with organic matter. It thrives in slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0) conditions. Tolerant of poor soil.
Regular watering is essential, particularly during hot, dry periods. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and water at the base to avoid wetting the foliage.
Feed with a balanced rose fertilizer in early spring and again after the blooming period. Adding compost or well-rotted manure helps maintain soil fertility.
Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged wood and shape the plant. After blooming, remove spent flowers to maintain a tidy appearance. Avoid pruning after flowering if rose hips are desired.
Propagate using several methods:
Although this heirloom rose is loved for its beauty, it can be prone to:
This rose may attract common pests such as aphids, spider mites, scale insects, or caterpillars. These pests can damage foliage, flowers, and stems, reducing the plant’s vigor.
Roses are susceptible to several fungal diseases, including rose black spot, rust, and powdery mildew. These diseases often thrive in humid conditions, causing leaf discoloration, defoliation, or stem dieback. Disorders like rose blindness (failure to bloom) and flower balling (petals failing to open) may also occur under certain conditions. In severe cases, honey fungus, a soil-borne pathogen, can damage the plant’s root system.
Regular monitoring, proper pruning, and ensuring good air circulation can minimize risks. Applying organic pest control measures and treating fungal infections early with fungicides are essential to maintaining healthy roses.
Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 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 | Roses, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Rosa - Shrub Rose, Rosa |
Common names | Rose |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early) |
Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spacing | 36" - 48" (90cm - 120cm) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral, Alkaline |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard |
Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 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 | Roses, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Rosa - Shrub Rose, Rosa |
Common names | Rose |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early) |
Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spacing | 36" - 48" (90cm - 120cm) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral, Alkaline |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard |
How many Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ (Gallica Rose) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ (Gallica Rose) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!