Rose Madame Isaac Pereire

The Old Bourbon rose 'Madame Isaac Pereire' is a magnificent and historic cultivar, widely regarded as one of the most fragrant roses ever bred. Its perfume is exceptionally rich, dense, and opulent, often compared to the aroma of ripe raspberries. Beyond its legendary scent, this rose forms a luxurious, vigorous plant that produces an abundance of large, very full, vividly colored blooms. Whether trained over an arbor, arch, column, wall, or other support, or grown as a substantial free-standing shrub, ‘Madame Isaac Pereire’ becomes a defining feature of the garden, lending it romance, elegance, and timeless character.

Bud coloration is variable and may shift between deep crimson and pinkish-lilac tones. The flowers are large, measuring on average 10 - 14 cm (4.5 - 5.5 in) in diameter, and are very full, with more than 41 - 55 petals. They are cup-shaped and quartered, with intricately arranged petals that curl gracefully at the edges as the bloom matures. Color ranges from bright carmine-pink to rich fuchsia, sometimes deep cherry-red, and the blooms are borne in clusters of up to five flowers. Fragrance is intense and unmistakable, dominated by a powerful raspberry note. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Flowering occurs in recurrent waves throughout the season, with especially abundant bloom in the second half of summer. After flowering, the plant sets decorative rose hips.

'Madame Isaac Pereire' is often described as somewhat unpredictable in expression. Its lush, heavy blooms may appear intensely crimson, fading to lilac-pink at the petal edges, or present as bright fuchsia or cherry-red. Flower size and color vary with weather conditions, cultural practices, and watering, to which this variety responds particularly well. Bloom diameter may range from 7 to 15 cm, and in all forms the flowers remain deeply cup-shaped, richly colored, and intensely fragrant.

Plants are very vigorous, reaching to about 200 - 250 cm (6.56 - 8.20 ft) in height and about 150 - 200 cm (4.92 - 6.560 ft) in width. The growth habit is branched, sprawling, and thorny, often producing long, sometimes inconvenient shoots up to 300 cm (9.8 ft) in length that tend to flower primarily at their tips. These shoots benefit from being pegged down or trained horizontally, encouraging flowering along their entire length in the following season. The shoots are open and arching, clothed in strong, thick, deep green foliage. The rose can be grown either as a large shrub or as a climber; when trained on a support, it performs admirably in its climbing form. Growth is rapid and robust, and formative pruning in spring is recommended to maintain structure and promote abundant flowering. It is well suited for tall hedges, planting along fences, or as a solitary specimen in open spaces, where its energetic, spreading habit can be fully appreciated.

The foliage is abundant, large, and medium green, providing a lush backdrop to the intensely colored blooms. The variety is winter-hardy (USDA zones 5b - 10b) and does not require winter protection in the climate of Ukraine. It prefers cooler locations, grows well in full sun, and adapts readily to partial shade. While tolerant of poor soils, it performs best in fertile, moist, well-drained soils with an acidic to neutral pH.

Care

Pruning should be carried out in late winter or early spring to stimulate healthy growth and control plant size. Mulching is recommended to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Disease Susceptibility

This variety is prone to powdery mildew, black spot, and rust, and therefore requires attentive care and preventative treatments.

Value for Wildlife and Uses

'Madame Isaac Pereire' attracts butterflies and a wide range of pollinators, drawn by its extraordinarily fragrant flowers. The intensely scented petals are traditionally valued for culinary and cosmetic uses. As one of the most fragrant historic Bourbon roses, its petals are used to prepare aromatic rose jam with a pronounced raspberry scent. The rose is highly versatile in garden design, thriving on arbors, pergolas, and trellises, or serving as a striking feature in flower beds, borders, and hedges. Its imposing blooms and intoxicating fragrance make it an outstanding focal point or accent plant, designed to captivate and enchant.

Companion Plants

Companion planting with lavender, catmint, or clematis creates harmonious compositions that enhance texture, color contrast, and fragrance, further elevating the ornamental effect of the garden.

Experience the timeless grandeur of the Bourbon rose 'Madame Isaac Pereire' - a remarkable synthesis of opulent beauty, vigorous growth, historical significance, and one of the most powerful fragrances in the rose world. Its enduring appeal has secured its place as a treasured cultivar in rose gardens across the globe.

Armand Garçon originally named this rose ‘Le Bienheureux de la Salle’. In 1881, it was renamed ‘Madame Isaac Pereire’ (Historia Rose Journal (RNRS), No. 32). The rose honors Fanny Rebecca Rodriguez Pereire (1825 - 1910, Paris), who married her widowed uncle Isaac Pereire (1806 - 1880, Armenonville) - a prominent French banker, financier, industrialist, publisher, and patron of the arts - on September 20, 1840.

Global Awards:
Approximately 20 certificates from various shows and competitions in the USA (1999 - 2001), including the title "Most Fragrant Rose" awarded by the Canadian National Rose Society, Canada, 1999.

Notable recognitions include:

 Corvallis Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 1999

 Houston Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 1999

 Mother Lode Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 1999

 Orange County Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 1999

 Canadian Rose Society National Rose Show - Most Fragrant Rose (CRS), 1999

 Del-Chester Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 2000

 Duneland Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 2000

 Garden State Rose Club (New Jersey) Show - Victorian (ARS), 2000

 Kansas City Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 2000

 Maine Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 2000

 Raleigh Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 2000

 Rowan Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 2000

 Santa Clara County Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 2000

 Southampton Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 2000

 West Jersey Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 2000

 Albuquerque Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 2001

 Milwaukee Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 2001

 Mother Lode Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 2001

 Richmond Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 2001

 Spokane Rose Society Show - Victorian (ARS), 2001

Information about the parantage of this rose is not available or commecrically protected.

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