Rose Crested Provence

Professor Joyaux, in his history of old roses, writes: “This variety was found among the ruins of a medieval castle, in an old tower, a fortress in Fribourg (Switzerland) or near it by an amateur botanist, Kirche/Kirsch (Kirsch) in 1826. It is probably a spontaneous sport mutation of the centifolia Rosa centifolia 'Muscosa'. According to our friend and colleague Mr. Petrus Roziņa, in 1827 Mr. Kitzer, who lived in the canton of Fribourg, sent this rose to Mr. Robbin/Roblen, the head gardener of the Bourbon palace in Paris. He handed them over to Mr. Veibert and Mr. Portemer (fathers), rose breeders known for their achievements…”.

Introduced in France by Veibert in 1928 as “Centifolia Cristata”. The name is associated with an interesting type of semi-open buds - an absolutely fantastic, rare type of very densely downy buds in the shape that resembles a triangular hat, which Napoleon eagerly wore, provoking the whimsical name “Chapeau de Napoleon” (Napoleon’s Hat). The rose has many synonyms - Centifolia Cristata, Crested Moss, Crested Provence, Crested Provins, Cristata, R. centifolia cristata, Rosa centifolia f. Muscosa ’cristata’ C.K.Schneid, R. centifolia muscosa ’cristata’, Rosa centifolia var. Cristata (Prévost synonym).

Very double, deep flowers of royal silvery-pink color, whose buds are crowned with a crest as a result of a mutation, which gave this rose bush its name (‘cristata’ is latin for “having a crest”). At first glance one might think that this rose belongs to the Moss group. However, this shrub possesses all the characteristics of Centifolias. Of the five sepals surrounding the flower, two on both sides and one on one side are surrounded by moss-like extensions, which themselves are divided several times and covered with tiny fragrant glands. Each of these extensions forms on its top a small, quite regular and very dense little bush. Such extensions are often found on the main petiole of the leaf. The flower is large, full, and fragrant, of a rich light-pink or deep pink colour. One could make such an absolutely incorrect suggestion about this wonderful rose due to such an unusual resemblance of its buds covered with moss…

Description

An interesting and very beautiful rose of the Centifolia class is distinguished by its beautiful triangular crested buds, formed by the sepals, two of which are covered on both sides, and the third only on one side, composed of many parts of bushy extensions resembling a delicate green moss. The flower's receptacle ends in fringed sepals that surround the bud and resemble the two-horned hat that Napoleon actually wore. It is especially charming when the bud opens, and you can see the fresh pink shade of the flower through this mossy framing. Not true spotted moss.

The flowers are cup-shaped, quartered, large (about 8 - 10 cm), of a rich pink color, very full (50–70 petals) appearing in large, lush clusters of 5–10 blooms together. The outer petals are arranged in the shape of a shell, forming wonderful, almost spherical shapes, while the center fully opens, revealing yellow button-eye in their center. They have a strong, intense Damask rose fragrance, slightly spicy, pleasant, with a hint of sweetness.

It blooms, as with all centifolias, very abundantly once per season, having one of the longest blooming periods among old roses. The shrub is somewhat awkward, a strong, bushy medium-sized, about 100 - 150 cm in height, and about 120 - 150 cm in width. The form is chaotic and may require support. Long arching canes give off lateral shoots along their length if they are tied horizontally. It requires training, best done after blooming or in autumn. Drooping shoots have bristles and thin prickles.

The light-green, matte leaves are not completely resistant to thrips and mites, but are fairly disease-resistant. The leaves are 3- to 5-pinnate, of a medium green color with acuminate long oval leaflets with moderate serration. Some leaves, those closest to the flowers, also have similar outgrowths like the sepals.

Resistance to fungal diseases is good. Frost resistance is good (zone 4). It is resistant to partial shade and rain.

Rose ‘Chapeau de Napoleon’ is suitable for both solitary planting and hedges. And the main advantage of this rose is its petals. They are valued because they can be used for making candied fruits, jams, syrups, liqueurs, precious essences, and in the cosmetic industry. This old rose will be a wonderful adornment of the garden. During blooming, the shrub looks fantastically beautiful and fills the garden with a sweet aroma. The impeccable form of the flowers has earned it a place in history as ‘Rose de Peintres’ (Rose Painters). A rather striking variety, durable, resistant to diseases and rain.

The fringed and mossy sepals protrude from the buds in such a way that they resemble small triangular hats similar to the French tricorne, which Napoleon Bonaparte often wore.

Napoleon was born on 15 August 1769 in Corsica. He was crowned Emperor on 18 May 1804 and died on 5 May 1821 on the island of Saint Helena.

RHS Award of Garden Merit

Dowager Rose Queen (ARS), Connecticut Rose Society Show, 2000;

Dowager Rose Queen (ARS), Thumb Rose Society Show, 2000;

Sport of Centifolia Muscosa 'Communis' , a sport mutation of the centifolia Rosa centifolia 'Muscosa'.

USDA 4 and warmer