Rose Honorine de Brabant

The rare Bourbon rose ‘Honorine de Brabant’ is highly prized by collectors and rose enthusiasts for its unusual coloration, reliable rebloom, and remarkable resilience. Combining old-world elegance with endurance and an exceptionally strong fragrance, this cultivar stands out even among historic Bourbon roses. Its distinctive flowers - light pink intricately marked with crimson and purple - rebloom throughout the season, often becoming more striking and refined toward late summer and autumn.

The flowers are medium-sized, measuring to about 6 - 7 cm (2.4 - 2.8 inches) in diameter, double to full, with about 17 - 25 petals. They are shallowly cup-shaped and quartered, opening to reveal a soft light pink base color dramatically overlaid with crimson, purple, and deep rose flecks, dashes, and stripes. These markings appear irregularly and unpredictably, creating a unique pattern on each bloom. As the flowers mature, the coloration often deepens, developing a subtle violet tone. Blooms are borne in small clusters of 3 - 5 blooms together.

The fragrance of ‘Honorine de Brabant’ is rich, sweet, and fruity, with a very intense classic Damask rose character. Flowering is nearly continuous, beginning with a strong first flush in early summer, followed by intermittent bloom through the season and a second, often higher-quality wave in autumn. During the first years after planting, the rose may focus on building its structure, sometimes flowering sparsely at first; as it matures, flowering becomes increasingly generous and consistent.

The bush is vigorous, strong, and sprawling, reaching 150 - 200 cm (4.9 - 6.6 feet) in height and 150 - 185 cm (4.9 - 6.1 feet) in width. It is densely foliated, with long, smooth, almost prickless shoots that arch gracefully, giving the plant a full and bushy appearance. Depending on training, it may be grown as a large shrub or used as a low climbing rose, allowing its pendulous shoots to cascade naturally.

Regular sanitary and shaping pruning is recommended. In spring, the previous year’s shoots should be shortened by approximately one-third. The foliage is medium-sized, light green, matte, and luxuriant, with nearly evergreen, pointed leaves that contribute to the plant’s refined appearance.

‘Honorine de Brabant’ demonstrates high resistance to disease and frost, making it suitable for a wide range of climates. It performs best in full sun, though it tolerates partial shade well. Disease resistance is good overall - average resistance to black spot and good resistance to powdery mildew. The variety is frost-hardy in climates similar to USDA zones 5b - 10b.

Considered one of the finest recurrent Bourbon roses, ‘Honorine de Brabant’ is celebrated for its exceptionally elegant, fragrant flowers adorned with reddish-lilac, purple, and crimson striping. It is among the few rose cultivars in which this striped pattern has a genetic basis, allowing the trait to be passed on to its offspring. As such, it remains one of the most popular and historically important old-fashioned striped roses.

Unfortunately we do not have information about the origin of the name of this rose.

American Rose Society (AARS) - Winner, 2001;

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) - Award of Garden Merit

A lighter and more delicately colored sport of the Bourbon rose ‘Commandant Beaurepaire’.

USDA 6