Rose Gloire de Dijon

The old climbing rose 'Gloire de Dijon' is regarded as one of the most beautiful and influential climbing roses of the 19th century. Believed to have originated from an amateur breeder, this celebrated Tea-Noisette rose remains unsurpassed for the extraordinary beauty of its large, fully double flowers, whose color and form change continuously over an exceptionally long flowering period. Its blooms display a remarkable palette of pale yellow, creamy vanilla, apricot, buff-brown, salmon, and soft pink tones, often with a delicately crumpled, romantic appearance. Combined with its elegant climbing habit, rapid growth, shade tolerance, and ability to cope with poor, dry soils, 'Gloire de Dijon' has secured a lasting place among the most admired historic roses.

The flowers arise from large, pointed buds tinted pink-yellow, opening first as globular blooms and gradually unfolding into very large flowers measuring to about 9 - 10 cm (3.5 - 4 inches) in diameter. They are full, with 40 or more petals, quartered (divided into four sections), and range from cup-shaped to nearly flat when fully open. The many small, irregularly crumpled petals give the flowers a richly textured, old-fashioned appearance. Color is complex and variable, changing with age, light intensity, temperature, and season. Early in the season, blooms are typically lighter - ranging from vanilla-yellow to buff-brown - while later flowers take on warmer apricot, salmon-pink, creamy yellow, and soft orange tones, sometimes resembling rounded wild roses in autumn. Flowers are borne singly or in small clusters.

The fragrance is pleasant, delicate, and refined, characteristic of Tea roses, with fruity notes. Some descriptions liken the scent to a spicy blend reminiscent of cinnamon and ripe bananas. Flowering begins in June, sometimes as early as May in mild weather, and continues throughout summer and into autumn, often lasting until November. The main flush in early summer is especially profuse, followed by continued blooming with smaller but often more vividly colored flowers.

The foliage is healthy and ornamental. Leaves are bright green in spring, becoming dark matte green with reddish veins in summer, and are pleasantly fragrant when crushed, with a subtle musky scent. Young shoots are red, maturing into long, flexible, almost without prickles canes. The canes may be bare at the base. The plant is highly vigorous and fast growing, forming a strong climbing rose that reaches 3.5 - 5 m (11.5 - 16.4 ft) in height under favorable conditions.

'Gloire de Dijon' is shade tolerant, making it especially valuable for lightly shaded areas, and performs best in warm, dry climates. Frost resistance is moderate, suitable for USDA Zone 6b and warmer. The flowers are sensitive to rain, and disease resistance is average. In wet climates, the variety may be prone to black spot, while powdery mildew can occur if planted against very hot walls or in poorly ventilated locations.

This rose has a reputation for being high maintenance. In some gardens it thrives effortlessly under difficult conditions, while in others it may decline without obvious cause. Nevertheless, its rare, exotic beauty as a Tea-Noisette rose makes it well worth the effort. With careful planting and attentive care during the first two to three years, it can become a magnificent and enduring garden feature.

The rose can be trained as a large shrub with regular pruning, in which case it grows less vigorously than when planted against a wall or trellis. After about three years, growth naturally slows while maintaining strength and form. It is equally suitable for growing on arches, gates, fences, small pergolas, or planted behind formal flower beds to soften rigid lines. Its exquisite pastel flowers, combined with their delicate fragrance, are also highly attractive in bouquets.

Overall, 'Gloire de Dijon' is a strong, climbing, shade-tolerant Tea-Noisette rose with lush dark foliage and large, romantic flowers whose subtle color shifts and refined scent bring elegance and historical depth to any garden. Thanks to these qualities, it remains one of the most popular old roses in Europe and a treasured choice for adding splendor and color to partially shaded garden spaces.

The name 'Gloire de Dijon' translates as “Glory of Dijon””, bringing international fame and honor to the city of Dijon, whose name became known worldwide through this rose.

Included in the Old Rose Hall of Fame of the World Federation of Rose Societies.

This distinction recognizes roses of outstanding historical, genealogical, and cultural importance that have enjoyed enduring popularity over many decades.

The exact parentage of 'Gloire de Dijon' is uncertain. Some sources describe it as a cross between ’Desprez à Fleur Jaune’ and ’Souvenir de la Malmaison’, while others cite an unknown Tea rose × ’Souvenir de la Malmaison’.

 ‘Souvenir de la Malmaison’ (Jean Béluze, France, 1843) - Bourbon rose, white flowers with a pink tint; itself derived from ’Madame Desprez’ (Jean Desprez, France, 1831) × an unknown Tea rose.

 ‘Desprez à Fleur Jaune’ (Jean Desprez, France, 1830) - Noisette rose with copper-yellow flowers; derived from ’Parks’ Yellow Tea-scented China’ (John Damper Parks, 1824) × ’Blush Noisette’ (Philippe Noisette, USA, 1814).

'Gloire de Dijon' is also historically significant as a progenitor of later notable roses, including ’Conrad Ferdinand Meyer’ and ’Phyllis Bide’.

USDA 6