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Rosa gallica var. officinalis (Old Red Damask Rose)

Old Red Damask Rose, Apothecary's Rose, Official Rose, Provence Rose, Red Rose of Lancaster, Crimson Damask Rose, Shrub Roses

AGM Award
Rosa Gallica var. Officinalis, Old Red Damask Rose, Apothecary's Rose, Official Rose, Provence Rose, Red Rose of Lancaster, Crimson Damask Rose, Shrub Roses, Shrub roses, pink roses,

Noted for its beauty and exceptional fragrance, Rosa gallica var. officinalis, commonly known as Old Red Damask or Red Rose of Lancaster, is a healthy and robust small shrub rose that can be relied on to provide interest and color. Parent to many floribunda and hybrid tea roses, it is covered with profuse, semi-double, rich, deep reddish-pink flowers, up to 3 in. (8 cm). The blooms start out cupped and open almost flat to reveal prominent yellow central stamens in late spring. Flowering is so profuse that the attractive blossoms nearly cover the gray-green foliage. As an extra bonus, these are followed in fall by crops of small bottle-shaped, orange-red rose hips, adding interest and color to the winter garden. Rich with a strong old rose fragrance, this terrific Rose tolerates some shade and poor soils and is an excellent choice where growing conditions are less than hospitable. This classic Rose has been cultivated for centuries, for use in medicines and perfume.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Blooming occurs in late spring to early summer and lasts about 3-4 weeks.
  • Grows up to 3-5 ft. tall (90-150 cm) with a spread of 3-4 ft. (90-120 cm). Featuring a compact, bushy, rounded habit, this ravishing shrub is a superb addition to borders and creates lovely fragrant low hedges. Perfect for cottage gardens, coastal gardens or containers.
  • Best grown in full sun, in fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Tolerant of poor soil and shade. For best flowering, apply a balanced fertilizer and mulch in late winter or early spring. Provide good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.
  • Very disease resistant
  • Attractive to pollinating insects, butterflies, and birds which feast on the colorful rose hips during the winter months.
  • Requires little maintenance. Do not remove spent flowers if you want to enjoy a beautiful crop of orange-red hips in fall and winter. Pruning should be carried out once flowering is complete. Obviously, if pruning is carried out after flowering no hips will follow.
  • Propagate by hardwood cuttings in fall or by budding in summer.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 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, Mid)
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 60" (150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Rosa rugosa ‘Purple Pavement’ (Rugosa Rose)
Rosa rugosa ‘Alba’ (Rugosa Rose)
Rosa Stormy Weather (Climbing Rose)
Rosa Enchanted Peace™ (Hybrid Tea Rose)
Rosa Pinkerbelle™ (Hybrid Tea Rose)
Rosa Sweet Spirit™ (Hybrid Tea Rose)
View All Our Rosa - Shrub Rose

Recommended Companion Plants

Geranium x magnificum (Purple Cranesbill)
Lychnis coronaria (Rose Campion)
Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ (Catmint)
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ (Lavender)

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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 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 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, Mid)
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 60" (150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
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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