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Rosa, Genus, 'Zephirine Drouhin', Cultivar,

Genus
Cultivar

Zephirine Drouhin Rose

Rosaceae

horticultural cultivar (France, 1868); Bourbon class derived from China and Damask roses

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Fragrant (strong)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 5–9

Overview

Rosa 'Zephirine Drouhin' is a Bourbon class climbing rose introduced in France in 1868, forming an arching climbing or large shrub habit 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m) tall and 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) wide. Canes are nearly thornless, with prickles absent or sparse on most of the stem length. Leaves alternate, pinnately compound with 5-7 leaflets each 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long, dark green and slightly glossy. Flowers are loose double cupped form, 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) wide, cerise-pink with carmine highlights and a paler reverse, carrying a strong sweet fragrance detectable 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m) downwind. Bloom is repeat-flowering: a heavy first flush from late May through June, followed by recurrent flushes through summer and a second peak in early fall. Foliage is moderately susceptible to blackspot and powdery mildew, particularly in humid summers, with defoliation occurring in late summer in zones 7-9 without preventive care. Mature size is reached within 3-4 growing seasons after planting.

Native Range

Rosa 'Zephirine Drouhin' is a horticultural cultivar bred in France by Bizot in 1868 from Rosa parents in the Bourbon class. The Bourbon roses descend from Rosa chinensis (China) crossed with Rosa damascena 'Bifera' (Damask) on Île Bourbon (now Réunion) in the early 19th century. The cultivar has no wild native range.

Suggested Uses

Used as a climber on pillars, arbors, fences, and pergolas, spaced 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m) apart. Mature canes can be trained as a free-standing shrub with annual stake support. Sites with 5-6 hours of direct sun produce the strongest bloom; deeper shade reduces bloom and increases disease pressure. Container culture works in pots of at least 15 gallons (57 L) with regular feeding and pruning.

How to Identify

Distinguished from other climbing roses by canes that are essentially thornless along the entire length, with at most a few small prickles near the base. Flowers are loose double cerise-pink cups 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) wide that age toward deeper carmine-pink at the petal edges. Leaves are dark green with a slight purple cast on new growth; flowers carry a pronounced sweet fragrance, heavier than the lighter scents typical of most modern climbers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8' - 12'

Width/Spread4' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~22 weeks

Flowers: May–October

Spring Summer Fall

First flush of bloom occurs from late May through June in zones 6-9, with a 6-week peak followed by a 2-3 week pause. Recurrent flushes appear from mid-July through September, with each flush lasting about 3 weeks. A second heavier peak occurs in early fall as nights cool below 60°F (16°C). In zone 5, where canes may die back to snowline, bloom is reduced and concentrated from late June through August.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

cerise-pink with carmine highlights, paler reverse

Foliage Description

dark green with purple cast on new growth; yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-8 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5 (Neutral to alkaline)

3579

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water demand is moderate to high; 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) of water per week supports establishment, and a 12-24 inch (30-60 cm) deep root system develops within 2 years. A 2-3 inch (5-8 cm) layer of organic mulch over the root zone moderates soil temperature and reduces moisture loss. Blackspot, powdery mildew, and rust occur in humid summers and on plants in poor air circulation; weekly applications of fungicide or sulfur sprays from leaf-out through July reduce defoliation in zones 7-9. Aphids appear on new growth in spring; lacewing and ladybug predators reduce populations within 2-3 weeks where broad-spectrum pesticides are absent. Plants live 25-50 years in zones 5-9 with annual pruning and disease management.

Pruning

Spent flowers are removed at the first 5-leaflet leaf during repeat bloom to encourage subsequent flushes. Major structural pruning is done in late winter (February-March in zones 6-7), reducing canes to 3-4 strong primary shoots and shortening laterals to 4-6 buds. Old canes over 4 years old are cut to the base to renew vigor. The arching habit suits training on fences, pillars, and pergolas, with horizontal canes producing more flower-bearing laterals than strictly vertical canes.

Pruning Schedule

Prune: February–March

winterearly spring