Rosa 'Gloire de Dijon'

It is said that an amateur gardener created the 'Gloire de Dijon' climbing rose. However, this beautiful flower has become famous worldwide and is named after the city of Dijon. This rose has always been a popular favourite and is widely available commercially. This ancient rose produces large, delicately scented flowers that slowly bloom in flat, well-double cups where different shades of pale yellow, soft apricot, and pink blend together, the intensity depending on the climate. They bloom abundantly in June and continue throughout the summer until they repeat flower in the autumn with smaller but much more colourful flowers. 'Gloire de Dijon', truly surprising, thrives in dry and poor soils and partially shaded exposures. Luxurious for some, it will languish for others without anyone knowing why. But the beauty of this rose diva deserves an attempt to tame it in the garden!

'Gloire de Dijon' is one of the most stunning climbing roses of the 19th century, born around 1850. It resulted from cross-breeding between 'Desprez à fleurs jaunes' and 'Souvenir de la Malmaison'. Henri Jacotot, a French creator, was responsible for its creation. This sarmentous rose has a complex genealogy, including a Noisette Rose and Tea Roses. It has an elegant climbing habit and rapid growth, reaching over 3m (10ft) in height with long, flexible and lightly thorny stems. The young stems and shoots are red; the foliage is deciduous, acid green in spring and matte green in summer with reddish veins. When crushed, the aromatic foliage emits a musky scent. Note that the branches tend to become bare at the base sometimes.

Flowering begins in June (sometimes as early as May if the weather is mild) and continues until November. The flowers, solitary or grouped in small bouquets, emerge from pointed buds, a tender pinkish-yellow colour. Globular at first, they open into wide, open, well-double cups, divided into four quarters. They measure about 9 cm (4in) in diameter and comprise many small crumpled petals. Their colour, complex and somewhat indescribable, varies depending on their age, the plant's exposure and the temperature. More double and lighter, generally vanilla yellow to chamois at the beginning of the season, they will resemble more rounded dog roses in autumn with warmer shades of apricot, salmon pink, and warm yellow to cream. This rose has a pleasant tea fragrance that is not too strong. It is resistant to some diseases but can develop black spots and powdery mildew in humid areas if planted against a sunny wall. This rose has been propagated a lot, so some disappointing hybrids exist.

'Gloire de Dijon' is an exciting climbing plant that can add lushness and colour to partially shaded garden areas, especially in dry and hot climates. It is tough and undemanding and can thrive in cooler and warmer regions with a bit of care during planting and the first few years of cultivation. If kept under 4.5 metres (15 feet), it can be trained as a large bush and climb less when regularly pruned. After three years of cultivation, it will moderate its growth while remaining strong. It can be used to decorate gates, fences, and small pergolas and planted behind flower beds. Its refined and pastel-coloured roses are delicately scented and can be used in beautiful bouquets.

This fabulous rose originates from famous varieties such as Conrad Ferdinand Meyer and Phyllis Bide.