Rosa gallica var. officinalis
apothecary's rose
Central and southern Europe to western Asia
Overview
Rosa gallica var. officinalis is the apothecary's rose, a suckering deciduous shrub 3-4 ft (90-120 cm) tall and about as wide, spreading by underground runners into dense low thickets. Stems carry mixed fine prickles and stiff bristles rather than the broad hooked thorns of modern roses. Pinnate leaves bear 3-5 leathery leaflets 1-2.4 in (2.5-6 cm) long, dark green and rough above, paler and softly downy beneath. Flowers open 2.5-3.5 in (6-9 cm) across in deep pink to light crimson, semi-double with roughly 12-20 petals held loosely around a prominent boss of golden stamens. Bloom comes once in early summer on wood formed the previous year, and the scent is strong and carrying; the petals hold their fragrance after drying, which is the basis of the plant's long use in medicine and perfumery. Rounded brick-red hips follow in late summer. Cultivated at Provins in France from the medieval period and known in England as the red rose of Lancaster, it is among the oldest roses still grown. Suckers spread beyond the planted crown, and foliage is susceptible to blackspot and mildew where air is humid and still.
Native Range
A long-cultivated selection of Rosa gallica, whose wild range runs from central and southern Europe east through the Balkans to Turkey and the Caucasus. The variety has been grown in European gardens since at least the medieval period, particularly around Provins in northern France.Suggested Uses
Grown in heritage, cottage, and physic gardens, mixed shrub borders, and informal hedges, spaced 3-4 ft (90-120 cm) apart. The suckering habit suits naturalized and wildlife plantings, where the open centres feed bees and the hips feed birds. Petals are harvested for potpourri, conserves, and rose preparations, the traditional apothecary use that gives the plant its name.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 4'
Width/Spread3' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowers open once in early summer, usually June into early July in temperate gardens, with the display concentrated into three to four weeks. Individual blooms last two to three days. There is no repeat flush; hips colour from late summer and persist into winter.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Rosa gallica var. officinalis grows in full sun to light shade and flowers most freely with at least 6 hours of direct sun. It takes most soils from sand to clay loam so long as drainage is free, and tolerates a pH range of 5.5-7.5 including shallow chalk. Established plants are markedly drought tolerant for a rose and need water only through prolonged dry spells. One spring application of balanced rose fertilizer is sufficient, as rich feeding produces soft growth and fewer blooms. The variety spreads by root suckers, so runners are cut back annually in tight borders, or the shrub is left on its own roots where it may colonize. Blackspot, powdery mildew, aphids, and rose rosette disease can affect plants in crowded or humid sites.Pruning
Prune immediately after flowering in midsummer. Bloom forms on wood made the previous season, so winter or spring pruning removes the coming display. Clear dead, damaged, and crossing stems, shorten flowered side shoots by about a third, and take one or two of the oldest canes to the base to renew the shrub. Sever suckers below ground level to contain spread, and leave late-summer growth intact so hips can form.Pruning Schedule
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summer