Rose Madame Legras de St. Germain

This charming old Alba rose, whose breeder remains unknown, bears a distinctly French name but was first described by the Englishman William Paul in his book ‘The Rose Garden’, published in 1848. ‘Madame Legras de St. Germain’ is not a pure member of the Alba rose family; it is likely a hybrid of Alba with Damask or Centifolia roses.

Its large (7–8 cm), full (26–40 petals) blooms are fragrant and exquisite, starting as ivory-white with a delicate lemon-yellow tinge at the center and fading to snow-white as they mature. When fully open, the flowers are very flat and display a beautiful Old Rose and citrus fragrance—strong, pleasant, and long-lasting. This variety also tends to produce fruits (hips).

The plant can be grown as a bush or a small climbing rose. Its almost thornless branches bear matte light green leaves that later turn bright green, providing a striking contrast to the flowers. The long, flexible canes bend easily, making it simple to train and shape the plant. Depending on the support provided, it reaches a height of 185–455 cm and a width of 185–215 cm. Its branches are reminiscent of those of ‘Madame Plantier’, with which it is often confused. A reliable way to distinguish them is by their button eyes: Madame Plantier has pink button eyes, while ‘Madame Legras de St. Germain’ has yellow. The latter’s blooms also have a more crumpled appearance, with their centers barely visible amid the swirl of petals.

‘Madame Legras de St. Germain’ is a once-flowering rose, though it may occasionally produce a few additional blooms in autumn. To care for this rose, prune lightly during its first two years to allow it to establish itself, and afterward cut it back by about a third. As it blooms on old wood, avoid heavy pruning.

This rose is highly frost-resistant, making it well-suited for climates similar to USDA Zone 3b and warmer.

Legras de St. Germain, the author of the book "L'Art de trouver des Trésors réels dans les campagnes.... avec un Plan d'une nouvelle Administartion des Bois et Forêts communaux, etc.", published in Brussels in 1811.

Dowager Rose Queen (ARS), Southern Tier Rose Society Show, 2001.

The parentage of this rose is unknown.

USDA 7 and warmer