Rosa alba Suaveolens

The 'Alba Suaveolens' rose is a beautiful and fragrant flower cultivated in European gardens for a long time. It's a spontaneous hybrid and is believed to have resulted from the crossbreeding of wild roses (Rosa canica) and Damask roses (Rosa x damascena). This rosebush is almost wild and is known for its incredible strength and adaptability to all regions and soils. It produces semi-double, milky white flowers almost luminescent in the backlight. These flowers bloom in spring or summer and are complemented by matte foliage with grey and bluish reflections, which make them stand out from other plants. The Alba Suaveolens Rosebush is an essential addition to the gardens of old and botanical rose lovers or simply for those busy gardeners who don't enjoy pruning and maintenance. This unique rose is a fantastic bush for the countryside and flowering hedges.

The (x) alba var. suaveolens is a rose known since ancient times and cultivated since the Renaissance. It has semi-double and highly fragrant flowers and is particularly valued for its essential oil and white rose water. The plant grows into a sturdy and well-branched bush with an upright but bushy form, reaching up to 2 to 3 metres (9 to 10 feet) in height and 1.50 metres (4 to 11 feet) in spread, depending on the growing conditions. Its branches are thorny and covered with abundant foliage divided into 5 green-grey-blue leaflets, matte on the upper side and villous on the underside, with the leaflets often slightly folded. It is not susceptible to rose diseases. Depending on the climate, its unique but abundant flowering occurs from May-June to July. On the 1-year-old branches, clusters of 2 to 7 pretty round cream-coloured buds form and open into semi-double white flowers. These flowers are 7cm (2.8 in) wide and have the shape of flat-opening cups with a yellow stamen heart. They are highly fragrant, with a musky and powdery scent. The formation of long orange hips follows the flowers. This rosebush is easily cultivated on its own roots but tends to sucker abundantly. 

The descendants of Rosa (x) alba roses are wonderfully fragrant, highly floribundant, and vigorous in growth, with a graceful habit. These bushes have healthy and ornamental grey-green foliage, are very hardy, and live for many years in the garden. They thrive well in semi-shaded locations. 'Suaveolens' is a variety with the same vigour and slightly stiff habit as the typical form and is superb as a hedge or in the back of a flowerbed. 

It tolerates all soils and climates, which makes it suitable for all regions. It can be planted in a large romantic flowerbed or a countryside hedge alongside Rosa hugonis, which blooms early with multiple sulphur yellow dog roses, Rosa complicata, which is easy to cultivate, or rosa (x) chinensis mutabilis, a multicoloured harlequin that blooms all summer long. It is a sturdy and low-maintenance bush, and in spring, the fragrance and roundness of lilacs and the purity of mock oranges will accompany its brand-new growth, while in summer, abelias and buddleias (alternifolia, Pink Delight) will take over. 

It is understandable if the interest in botanical roses and their hybrids is not widely spread, especially in poor soil or difficult climates. However, these roses are the ancestors of modern roses and are generally more sturdy and dependable.