Rose Common Provins Rose

Rosa gallica 'Officinalis' One of the oldest known roses, Rosa gallica 'Officinalis' has been cherished for over 800 years!

Its deep pink blooms, which mature to a carmine-red hue, are semi-double (9–16 petals) with prominent yellow stamens at the center. The flowers are medium-sized (6–8 cm), cup-shaped, and have a strong, delightful fragrance. This once-flowering rose produces an abundance of blooms in late spring or early summer, followed by the formation of red rose hips. Its foliage has a matte surface, gray-green color, and is generally healthy, with each mid-stem leaf usually bearing five leaflets.

This versatile rose can be used for cutting, landscape compositions, or mixed borders in the garden. Historically, it has also been used by apothecaries as an ingredient in medicines and cosmetics, as well as in culinary applications.

Rosa gallica 'Officinalis' requires minimal care and is easy to grow. To maintain its health, remove old branches and any dead or diseased wood after flowering. The variety tolerates partial shade well and is highly winter-hardy, making it suitable for USDA zone 3b and warmer climates.

This ancient rose variety originated in Persia, where it grew wild, and is believed to have been introduced to Europe by Crusaders returning in the 12th and 13th centuries. Edmund, the first Earl of Lancaster—nicknamed "the squatter" due to his crusader attire—may have brought this rose to England, where it became the emblem of the House of Lancaster.

Known as the "Red Rose of Lancaster," this rose has been a symbol of Lancaster County for centuries. Today, it can be seen in the grass border at the entrance to Shire Hall in Lancaster Castle, in the Pendle Heritage Gardens in Barrowford, near the Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park in Lancaster, and at Levens Hall.

This rose is also referred to as the "Apothecary's Rose" or Rosa gallica officinalis due to its medicinal properties. It was widely grown by monks and used to treat ailments such as gout, indigestion, angina, skin rashes, and eye problems. Women in medieval times rubbed their skin with rose petals to reduce wrinkles, and it has since been proven that the petals contain essential oils, potassium, and iron. Additionally, its rose hips are rich in vitamin C.

The rose was historically cultivated for its perfume. Its petals were used to scent medieval rooms, and today it remains a valuable component in the production of perfumes and cosmetics. In religious symbolism, the dark red "Red Rose of Lancaster" represented the blood of Christ and other martyrs. Dried petals were rolled into beads and strung together to create rosaries, linking this rose to spiritual devotion.

This rose is also referred to as the "Apothecary's Rose" or Rosa gallica officinalis due to its medicinal properties.

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USDA 3 and warmer