Souvenir de la Malmaison Rose, Guanabara Rose, Queen of Beauty and Fragrance Rose, Boubon Roses, Shrub Roses
Rosa ‘Souvenir de la Malmaison’ is one of the most iconic heirloom roses, celebrated for its exquisite beauty, strong fragrance, and rich history. First introduced in 1843, this Bourbon rose has become a symbol of timeless elegance and romance in gardens around the world. Named after the famous Château de la Malmaison, the home of Empress Joséphine Bonaparte, it reflects her passion for roses and her influence on rose cultivation.
Known for its lush, full-petaled blooms and delicate blush-pink hue, Rosa ‘Souvenir de la Malmaison’ remains a beloved choice for gardeners seeking a blend of history, charm, and performance. Its adaptability, manageable size, and captivating fragrance make it an excellent addition to cottage gardens, formal rose beds, or as a standalone specimen.
Roses belong to the Rosaceae family, which includes other plants such as Apples (Malus domestica), Peaches (Prunus persica), and Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa).
Souvenir de la Malmaison Rose is a deciduous shrub rose with large, fully double blooms and a classic rosette form. Its flowers feature a delicate blush-pink hue with a creamy undertone, aging to a soft ivory. The blooms exude a strong, sweet, and classic rose fragrance, captivating anyone who passes by.
This rose blooms prolifically from late spring through fall, with flowers often appearing in flushes. The wide, open blossoms are sensitive to rain but reward gardeners with their stunning beauty during dry spells.
As a Bourbon rose, Rosa ‘Souvenir de la Malmaison’ is a hybrid derived from Rosa chinensis (China Rose) and Rosa damascena (Damask Rose), with its origins traced to the island of Réunion (formerly Île Bourbon). It was bred in France by Jean Béluze and named in honor of Empress Joséphine’s famed Château de la Malmaison.
This heirloom rose is a deciduous shrub with a bushy and compact growth habit. Its gracefully arching canes, with few to no thorns, are adorned with blooms that appear singly or in small clusters, creating an elegant display in the garden.
This rose typically grows 2-6 feet (60–180 cm) tall and 3-6 feet (90-180 cm) wide. Its manageable size makes it suitable for smaller gardens, container planting, or mixed borders, providing versatility in various garden designs.
The flowers of this Bourbon rose are its most celebrated feature:
The foliage is composed of glossy, dark green leaves that provide a striking contrast to the soft pink blooms.
This heirloom rose thrives in USDA Zones 5–10, making it adaptable to a wide range of temperate climates.
This rose is versatile and valued for a variety of uses:
Rosa ‘Souvenir de la Malmaison’ has been honored with several prestigious awards, reflecting its historical significance and enduring popularity:
Deer and rabbits can cause damage.
Rosa ‘Souvenir de la Malmaison’ 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, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal blooming and growth.
This heirloom rose prefers well-drained, loamy soil enriched with organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0) promotes healthy growth.
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 every 4–6 weeks during the growing season. Supplement with compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil.
Prune after each flowering flush to remove spent blooms and encourage repeat blooming. Conduct annual pruning in late winter or early spring to shape the plant and remove dead or diseased wood.
Propagate Rosa ‘Souvenir de la Malmaison’ using several methods:
Although Rosa ‘Souvenir de la Malmaison’ 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 |
5 - 10 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
6 - 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 |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
Height | 2' - 6' (60cm - 180cm) |
Spread | 3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm) |
Spacing | 36" - 72" (90cm - 180cm) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |
Hardiness |
5 - 10 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
6 - 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 |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
Height | 2' - 6' (60cm - 180cm) |
Spread | 3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm) |
Spacing | 36" - 72" (90cm - 180cm) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |
How many Rosa ‘Souvenir de la Malmaison’ (Bourbon Rose) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Rosa ‘Souvenir de la Malmaison’ (Bourbon 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!