'Henri Martin' (Red Moss) Old Rose

The 'Henri Martin' or 'Red Moss' Rose Bush is an exceptional moss rose due to its red flowering, a very unusual colour in this rose category. The bush, with vigorous habit, well leafy, with strong and willingly arched branches, always blooms generously in early summer. Its barely double silk flowers, open flat, are a bright crimson red turning to a vivid purple-pink. Their fragrance is superb, further enhanced by the balsamic scent of delicate green moss that covers the buds. Before fading, they offer bees a lovely bouquet of golden stamens. Easy to grow even in partial shade and in poor soil.

This 'Henri Martin' rose, bred by Jean Laffay in 1863, was introduced to the market by Portemer in 1865. It carries the genes of the Rosa centifolia 'Muscosa', the origin of many hybrids obtained by cross-breeding with Damask roses and hybrids of China rose. There are still 150 varieties grouped under the name "moss roses."

'Henri Martin' grows as a slightly loose bush with an upright but flexible habit. It has rapid growth and reaches an average height of 1.70 m with a spread of 1.20 m, more in optimal conditions. When grown on its own roots, the bush suckers. Its long, robust, slightly arched stems are covered in reddish prickle. The abundant flowering takes place from June to July. The 6 cm roses have three rows of flat, rounded petals that quickly recurve. Their colour is crimson red to carmine when opening; then, they turn to a dark pink before fading into a more purplish tone. A beautiful bouquet of stamens sits at the centre of the Corolla. The slightly mossy flower buds are delicate and grouped in small clusters. Their fragrance is moderately pronounced, but the balsamic scent of the moss enhances it. After pollination by insects, small decorative fruits called hips form. They ripen and turn orange in autumn. The light green foliage proves resistant to diseases if the plant benefits from an airy location. It partially persists in winter, depending on the climate. The moss, slightly sticky like resin, is also light green.

The passion for old roses is well justified, as they are generally more robust than modern roses and very reliable, although they are not always repeat-flowering. The 'Henri Martin' Rose Bush is vigorous and generous, ideal in the back of a border or a flowering hedge. It can be associated with large white roses (Rosa x alba Suaveolens) or pink roses (Rosa x damascena). Also, consider Cotinus and deciduous euonymus for autumn colours, lilacs for their spring fragrance, and mock oranges for the same reason. Hibiscus will take over in the summer. Finally, it is a hardy and accommodating bush that grows easily in all regions.