Rose Louise Odier

The beautiful Old Bourbon rose ‘Louise Odier’, bred in France in 1851, is widely regarded as one of the finest roses of the Bourbon class. It is celebrated for its lush, perfectly cup-shaped pink flowers with a delicate lilac tint, its abundant and repeat flowering, and its strong, exquisite fragrance. This variety performs particularly well in cooler climates with cold winters.

Bourbon roses represent an important transitional group in rose breeding, forming an early step toward modern repeat-flowering roses. Their origin is somewhat uncertain, but the class is believed to have arisen on the island of Bourbon (now Réunion), where spontaneous crosses between Damask and China roses occurred. Cuttings were subsequently transported to Europe, where further crossing - particularly with Gallica roses - gave rise to the Bourbon class, distinguished by its ability to flower multiple times per season. The buds of ‘Louise Odier’ are rounded and ovoid, displaying the characteristic form typical of Bourbon roses.

The flowers are a deep, rich pink that does not fade, with slightly lighter outer petals. They are medium-large, measuring to about 7 - 8 cm (2.76" - 3.15") in diameter, and are very full, containing over 28–58 petals. The petals curl inward at the center, forming a deeply cup-shaped, quartered rosette bloom, structured as if composed of four parts. As the flowers open, they flatten slightly while retaining a neatly rounded outline, with each petal appearing precisely placed. Flowers are borne mostly singly or in small clusters of 1 - 3 blooms, and are intensely fragrant. Flowering is lush and abundant, repeating in waves throughout the season. The blooms are well suited for cutting and perform beautifully in vases and bouquets. Their coloration remains vivid, a bright pink with subtle lilac tones, and their fragrance is strong and complex, with pronounced fruity and lemon notes.

The bushes are upright and vigorous, reaching 100 - 300 cm (4' 11" - 9' 10") in height and 120 - 150 cm (3' 11" - 4' 11") in width. The plants are well branched, producing long, arching shoots that create a spreading, fountain-like habit at the top. Growth is rapid and robust, and the plants may become wide and open unless trained; tying, bending, pruning, guiding, and horizontal training of shoots are recommended to maintain structure and enhance flowering. Under the weight of the abundant blooms, the stems naturally arch and bend, producing an elegant cascading effect reminiscent of a flowering fountain.

‘Louise Odier’ can be grown either as a large shrub or trained as a climbing rose, where its flexible young canes are easily shaped and are particularly effective on arches and supports. In its early years, the plant forms a compact and attractive bush with few or no prickles, adorned with fresh, matte green foliage. With age, it develops into a large, powerful shrub with abundant foliage and thicker, more thorny stems.

The foliage is abundant, light green, matte, and typically composed of five leaflets. The variety is shade tolerant, though it flowers most profusely in full sun. It is not demanding with regard to soil type but does not tolerate excessively wet conditions. Frost resistance is high (to approximately −26 °C); in northern regions of Ukraine, it winters reliably under light cover, while in most areas it requires no protection. The cultivar is hardy in USDA Zones 5b - 10b, though it performs less well in hot climates.

Disease resistance is average. The plant is prone to black spot and powdery mildew and therefore benefits from preventative treatments, particularly during wet seasons. Occasional prophylactic spraying is also advisable to prevent attacks by aphids and thrips.

‘Louise Odier’ is one of the most famous and enduring Old Roses, combining elegance, relatively easy care, and abundant repeated flowering. Its large, richly double blooms, composed of numerous petals arranged into an ideal cup shape, are often compared to camellia flowers. As the blooms mature, their color softens from bright pink to more delicate shades. With its graceful habit and intense fragrance, this rose is ideally suited to romantic garden styles. It is especially striking as a solitary specimen, where its spreading form becomes a focal point, as well as in hedges -particularly along paths or terraces - and in classical or country-style gardens, where it creates a distinctly “English” garden atmosphere.

The rose received its name in honor of the daughter of James Odier, a nurseryman in Bellevue near Paris who assisted Margottin in his breeding work. It is most likely dedicated to Claire Louise Odier (January 19, 1833 - 1874), daughter of Jacques Antoine (“James”) Odier (1798–1864), grandson of Antoine Odier, a French banker.

Rose variety ‘Louise Odier' originated by Jacques-Julien Margottin père by crossing female parent (seed parent) Bourbon rose ’Émile Courtier’ with the pollen parent an unnamed rose seedling.

USDA 5