Rose 'Madame Hary', Rose 'Félicité Hardy", Damask Roses, Shrub Roses
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).
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.
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.
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.
The manageable size of this rose makes it suitable for various garden settings, from small cottage gardens to larger formal landscapes.
The flowers of Rosa ‘Madame Hardy’ are its most celebrated feature:
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.
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.
This heirloom rose is valued for its versatility and charm:
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 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 optimal blooming, 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.
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 - 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 |
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 Rosa ‘Madame Hardy’ (Damask Rose) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Rosa ‘Madame Hardy’ (Damask 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.
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