Rosa Sénégal - Climbing Rose

The 'Senegal' Rose is a vigorous hybrid of the bushy Tea Rose that loves to climb and show off its magnificent bouquets. A powerful evocation of African lands, its large, velvety red, turbinate roses capture black reflections and a pleasant scent of dark flowers. They are double, heavy with petals, shaped like fully bloomed cups, and displayed on abundant foliage that exudes elegance. Its summer flowering is dazzling, but the autumn rebloom, although more modest, is sometimes absent depending on the year.

The 'Senegal' rose is part of the complex family of Tea Rose hybrids. Created after 'Guinea', it resembles it but has eliminated some of its flaws, such as weak hardiness. On the other hand, it possesses all the qualities, including a truly sumptuous dark red flowering, a climbing habit without stiffness, and an ability to expand when skillfully pruned. It was bred by French rose breeder Charles Mallerin (the father of the beautiful 'Guinea') in 1944. This is a climbing rose with a flexible habit and thorny stems reaching 2.50 m (8ft) to 4 m (13ft) in height and 1.50 m (5ft) to 2.50 m (8ft) in width, depending on the growing conditions and the way it is trained. Its growth is vigorous, and its dark green, shiny, and deciduous foliage may be susceptible to diseases such as blackspot and powdery mildew under certain conditions, which will require preventive treatment. It stands out for the unique colours and texture of its large, round, and wide roses measuring 10 to 12 cm (4 to 5in). They are gathered in small clusters of 3 to 5, appearing on the current year's shoots. Their fragrance is of medium intensity. The reblooming is irregular, depending on the climate and the care given to the plant. This variety is sensitive to scorching exposures.

'Senegal' is a superb rose still found in many gardens, a testament to its longevity. It will be highlighted in partial shade, in a large shrub border, or front of an evergreen hedge. It also loves to climb on a small pole, column, or train on an arch near the terrace, even in a small garden, to enjoy its theatrical flowering. It is perfectly planted above romantic-inspired borders and pairs well with the mauve roses of 'Blue Girl', 'Sissi', 'Mamy Blue', or the white corollas of the English rose 'Winchester Cathedral'. Its dark flowers also provide an excellent contrast to pastel pink blooms. Lastly, it is an ideal companion for flowering shrubs (butterfly bushes, mock oranges, hibiscus) and perennials like bellflowers and foxgloves, adding a charming touch.