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Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ (Gallica Rose)

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

AGM Award
Rosa Charles de Mills, Rose Charles de Mills, Purple Rose, Heirloom Rose, Old Garden Rose
Rosa Charles de Mills, Rose Charles de Mills, Purple Rose, Heirloom Rose, Old Garden Rose

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).


Description

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.


Native Habitat

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.


Plant Type and Habit

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.


Plant Size

Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ is moderate in size, making it suitable for various garden settings:

  • Height: 3–4 feet (90–120 cm)
  • Width: 3–4 feet (90–120 cm)

Its manageable size allows it to fit seamlessly into small or large gardens, offering versatility and beauty.


Flowers

The flowers of Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ are its most distinctive feature:

  • Color: Rich crimson-purple with subtle hints of dark purple, sometimes featuring a green eye at the center.
  • Size: Large blooms with an average diameter of 4.75 inches (12 cm), showcasing their impressive scale.
  • Shape: Fully double, quartered blooms with a rosette-like form, offering intricate petal arrangements and architectural beauty.
  • Fragrance: Intensely strong and sweet, capturing the classic essence of old garden roses.
  • Blooming Season: Once-blooming in late spring to early summer, with a dramatic flush of flowers that creates a stunning visual and aromatic display.

Foliage

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.


Hardiness

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.


Uses

Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ is a versatile rose, valued for its charm and practical uses:

  • Ornamental Gardening: A stunning addition to cottage gardens, flower borders, and formal rose beds.
  • Historical Gardens: Ideal for recreating period landscapes or cultivating heirloom varieties.
  • Hedging and Screens: Forms a beautiful flowering hedge or screen, adding structure and color.
  • Fragrance Gardens: Fills outdoor spaces with its classic, sweet scent.
  • Cut Flowers: Perfect for floral arrangements, bringing elegance and a touch of history indoors.

Award

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 Rabbit Resistance

Deer and rabbits can cause damage.


Toxicity

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.


Invasiveness

This rose is not invasive. While it may produce occasional suckers, it does not spread aggressively in gardens.

Rosa Charles de Mills, Rose Charles de Mills, Purple Rose, Heirloom Rose, Old Garden Rose


Rose Bush Care: How to Grow Healthy, Beautiful Heirloom Roses

Light Requirement

This rose thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. For the best blooms, ensure at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.


Soil

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.


Water

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.


Fertilizer

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.


Pruning

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.


Propagation

Propagate using several methods:

  • Hardwood Cuttings: Collect mature, dormant stems for propagation in late summer to autumn.
  • Chip Budding: Perform chip budding in summer to graft a bud onto a rootstock for successful reproduction.

Disease and Pest Resistance

Although this heirloom rose is loved for its beauty, it can be prone to:

Pest Resistance

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.

Disease Resistance

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.

Prevention and Care

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.

Requirements

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
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Alternative Plants to Consider

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Rosa Buttercream Drift® (Groundcover Rose)
Rosa Blushing Drift® (Groundcover Rose)
Rosa rubiginosa (Sweet Briar)

Recommended Companion Plants

Nepeta racemosa (Catmint)
Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender)
Allium (Ornamental Onion)
Delphinium
Digitalis (Foxglove)
Paeonia (Peonies)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

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 Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Rosa (Shrub Roses) Rosa (Rose)
Not sure which Rosa (Shrub Roses) to pick?
Compare Now

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