A typical Gallica Rose

The Gallica class of rose was exceptionally popular during the Regency period in England.   The Empress Josephine grew over 150 varieties in her gardens at Malmaison.  Gallicas are almost all pink, mauve, or a deep wine-red.

Most the roses listed below bloomed once, typically in June in England.  New varieties hybridized since 1800 are listed below in green.

Albas (Whites)

'Great Maiden's Blush', circa 1797.  An old favorite with many names.  The double blooms are soft, warm blush-pink which fades to a creamy pink.

'Semi-plena'.  Used to distil attar at Kazanlik.  Nearly single-flower in milk-white.

'Maxima', aka 'Great Double White', 'Jacobite Rose', 'Cheshire Rose'.  Flowers are double and open in a creamy-pink which fades to white.

Centifolia

'Unique Blanche', aka 'The White Provence', 'Unique', or 'Vierge de Clery'.  Discovered in Needham, Suffolk in 1775.  Double flowers in white.

Damask

'Venusta' circa pre-1814
'Tous le Mois', circa 1680

'Celsiana', circa 1750.  Heady, strong fragrance.  Flowers loose,  semi-double in warm, light pink, fading to blush.

'Versicolor', aka 'York and Lancaster', circa 1629.  Flowers held in sprays, blush white and light pink.  Blooms are loosely double and may be either entirely of one color or flecked with both colors.

'Autumn Damask', aka 'Quatre Saisons', Rosa damascena semperflorens, or Rosa bifera.  Clear pink semi-double blossoms with strong fragrance.

Chinas

'Parson's Pink China', circa 1780.  Loose, semi-double flowers in pink, which age to a darker pink.

'Slater's Crimson China', circa 1790

'Bengale Centfeuilles' circa 1804

'Pumila' circa 1806

'Rouletii' circa 1815

Gallicas

gallica, aka 'The French Rose'; 'The Rose of Provins'.  Single flowers (5 petals) in clear pink.  Mild scent.

Rosa gallica maxima, aka Rosa gallica officinalis; 'Splendens'; 'Red Damask'; 'The Apothecary's Rose'.  Probably the 'Red Rose of Lancaster'.  May be the oldest cultivated form of gallica.  Semi-double flowers in light crimson.  Blooms late (summer).

'Tuscany', aka 'The Old Velvet Rose'.  Semi-double flowers in dark murrey-purple with rich yellow stamens.

'Versicolor', aka 'Rosa Mundi'; Rosa gallica 'Veriegata', recorded in early 17th century.  Striped rose of light crimson flecked with pale pink.  Very popular rose and often found paired with 'Maiden's Blush' in older gardens.

Moss - The favorite of the Victorians, Moss roses have a moss-like growth on the green sepals surrounding the bud, which is sticky and smells beautifully of balsam.

'Common Moss' 1696.  Once blooming, fully double blossoms in medium pink.  Very fragrant.

'Muscosa', circa 1727.  Sport of Rosa centifolia.  Clear pink, double blooms which are very fragrant.

Teas - New to this period!

'Hume's Blush Tea-Scented China'

Noisettes and Climbers - New to this period!

'Champneys' Pink Cluster' circa 1811.  Up to 30 buds per cluster, the blossoms are at first deep pink, opening to small, blush pink blooms that fade to a clear white.  The spring bloom is produced in smaller clusters with a fall bloom held in huge tresses of fifty to seventy blooms.  Light fragrance similar to apple blossoms.

'Fun Jwan Lo' circa 1811

'Autumnalis' circa 1812

'Blush Noisette' circa 1814.  This Noisette was hybridized from 'Champney's Pink Cluster' and is a beautiful pale pink rose.

'Noisette de l'Inde' circa 1814

Portland 

'Duchess of Portland' circa 1800.  Flowers produced throughout the season.  Semi-double, crimson blooms.

Yellow Roses - Vivid yellow roses were not available until Pernet-Ducher launched 'Soleil d'Or', hybridized from Rosa foetida, later in the 19th century.  Interestingly, it is the yellow rose that brought the disease Black Spot to the rose.  The few yellow available were limited to:

Rosa foetida, aka 'The Austrian Brier'.  Unpleasant scent, but bright yellow flowers.  Also called R. lutea.

Rosa lutea punicea, aka 'Bicolor' or 'Austrian Copper Brier', circa 1590 with a double form in 1815.  R. lutea punicea was copper and yellow on the reverse side of the petal.  Single (5 petal) blooms.

Rosa hemisphaerica, aka 'The Sulphur Rose' .  Known before 1625, but not suited to the British climate.  Sometimes known as the 'Yellow Provence Rose'.  This is the only other large double yellow rose in cultivation before 'Persiana', later in the century.

 

 

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