Rosa Bourgogne - Shrub Rose

Rosa 'Bourgogne' is a beautiful hybrid derived from a botanical rose also known as the Pendulous-fruited Wild Rose or Alpine Rose. Its more or less purple, almost thornless stems, form a graceful, open bush. In summer, it is adorned with beautiful fresh pink flowers, followed by long pendulous hips that are very decorative against its autumn-coloured foliage. This rose tolerates partially shaded areas and poor, even limestone soils. Its flowers will attract bees, and its fruits will attract hungry birds in winter.

Rosa 'Bourgogne' is a horticultural creation from Interplant dating back to 1983. It is derived from the Alpine Rose, which is found in the mountains of Central and Southern Europe. It is a very cold-resistant plant and well-adapted to limestone, clay, or poor soils. The Bourgogne variety forms a bush about 1.25 m (4ft) high and wide, sometimes 1.50 m (5ft). Its young shoots are plum-coloured and its flexible and arching stems are a reddish-purple with very few thorns. They bear compound leaves with 7 to 11 leaflets of varying shapes and sizes, more or less elongated and ovate, often folded. These dark green leaves take on beautiful yellow to orange hues in autumn before falling. It flowers in June-July, and it is not repeat-flowering. The flowers are solitary, single, cup-shaped, 5 cm (2in) in diameter, composed of 5 light pink petals. In the centre of the corolla is a beautiful cluster of golden stamens. The flowers have a discreet fragrance. After pollination, elongated pendant hips are formed, shaped like small bottles. They turn a shiny dark red around September and remain attached to the branches for a long time.

Rosa 'Bourgogne' is robust and vigorous, and it is easil to grow in sunny and semi-shaded locations. It is a very beautiful wild rose, considered the most beautiful of fruiting roses, a must-have for lovers of natural landscapes. It can be used as a specimen in the centre of a perennial bed, with geraniums and peonies, for example, or in a low-growing shrub border. To accompany it, consider the entire range of botanical or old roses. Also, consider white spireas and Japanese quinces that bloom earlier.