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Rosa ‘Madame Hardy’ (Damask Rose)

Rose 'Madame Hary', Rose 'Félicité Hardy", Damask Roses, Shrub Roses

AGM Award
Rosa Madame Hardy, Rose Madame Hardy, Damask Rose, White Rose, Heirloom Rose
Rosa Madame Hardy, Rose Madame Hardy, Damask Rose, White Rose, Heirloom Rose

Rosa ‘Madame Hardy’ is a revered heirloom rose renowned for its pure white blooms, strong fragrance, and historical significance. Bred Julien Alexandre Hardy in 1832, a celebrated gardener at the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris, this Damask rose is named in honor of his wife. It epitomizes the charm and sophistication of old garden roses, making it a favorite among rose enthusiasts and historians.

Roses belong to the Rosaceae family, which includes other plants such as Apples (Malus domestica), Peaches (Prunus persica), and Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa).


Description

Rosa ‘Madame Hardy’ is a deciduous shrub rose celebrated for its pure white, fully double blooms. Each flower reveals a striking central green eye, which adds a unique and elegant touch. The blooms are borne in clusters and exude a strong, sweet fragrance that fills the garden.

This once-blooming rose provides a spectacular display of flowers in late spring to early summer. Its lush foliage, combined with its abundant blooms, creates a stunning visual and sensory experience.


Native Habitat

This rose traces its origins to France, where it was bred in the 19th century by Julien Alexandre Hardy, who discovered over 200 rose varieties. It is part of the Damask rose lineage, known for its historical significance, fragrance, and adaptability. Rosa ‘Madame Hardy’ has become a symbol of classic European rose gardens and remains a cherished heirloom rose worldwide.


Plant Type and Habit

Rosa ‘Madame Hardy’ is a vigorous deciduous shrub with a rounded, bushy habit. Its upright growth and gracefully arching stems, armed with thorns, make it a versatile choice for formal gardens, mixed borders, or as a standalone focal point. The plant’s elegant structure complements its pristine blooms, creating a refined garden display.


Plant Size

  • Height: 4–6 feet (120–180 cm)
  • Width: 4-5 feet (120-150 cm)

The manageable size of this rose makes it suitable for various garden settings, from small cottage gardens to larger formal landscapes.


Flowers

The flowers of Rosa ‘Madame Hardy’ are its most celebrated feature:

  • Color: Pure white with a distinctive green button-eye at the center, adding a unique charm to each bloom.
  • Size: Medium to large blooms, measuring up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter.
  • Shape: Fully double flowers with a cupped, quartered bloom form, featuring densely packed petals and a classic button-eye.
  • Fragrance: Exceptionally strong and sweet, capturing the quintessential scent of Damask roses.
  • Blooming Season: Once-blooming in late spring to early summer, with a breathtaking display of flowers that leave a lasting impression.

Foliage

The foliage consists of bright, medium-green, pinnate leaves with a slightly matte finish. The coarse texture of the leaves provides a striking contrast to the soft white blooms, enhancing the overall visual appeal of the plant.


Hardiness

Rosa ‘Madame Hardy’ thrives in USDA Zones 4–9, making it adaptable to a wide range of temperate climates. Its robust nature allows it to withstand cold winters and perform well in diverse growing conditions.


Uses

This heirloom rose is valued for its versatility and charm:

  • Cottage and Informal Gardens: Adds a romantic touch to traditional and informal landscapes.
  • Formal Borders and Beds: Perfect for structured garden designs and rose collections.
  • Hedging and Screens: Works beautifully as a flowering hedge or screen, adding structure and color.
  • Historical Gardens: A must-have for recreating period landscapes or cultivating heirloom varieties.
  • Fragrance Gardens: Fills outdoor spaces with its classic, sweet scent.
  • Cut Flowers: Ideal for floral arrangements, bringing its historical elegance and fragrance indoors.

Award

Rosa ‘Madame Hardy’ has received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, recognizing its exceptional qualities, resilience, and historical value.


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 Madame Hardy, Rose Madame Hardy, Damask Rose, White Rose, Heirloom 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 optimal blooming, 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.


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 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 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 4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spread 4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm)
Spacing 48" - 60" (120cm - 150cm)
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, 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)
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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 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 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 4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spread 4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm)
Spacing 48" - 60" (120cm - 150cm)
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, 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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