Rosa gallica Charles de Mills - Old Gallic Rose

The Charles de Mills Rose has somewhat uncertain origins but was already seen in gardens before 1811. It is one of those roses that can survive without help in old cemeteries for many generations of gardeners. This gallica rose is exceptionally vigorous and has a compact, bushy habit and dark and healthy foliage. Its clusters of large, flat, and very double roses are of a crimson red colour with hints of burgundy, sometimes brown. It blooms only once in summer but is abundant and has a pleasant scent of dark rose. If planted in deep, fertile garden soil, 'Charles de Mills' will keep its promises.

The Rosa (x) gallica Charles de Mills is an ancient horticultural cultivar that likely appeared before 1790, possibly in Holland. The French or Provins rose, also known as Rosa gallica, was celebrated by the Greek poet Anacreon in the 6th century BC and originated from central and southern Europe. It was undoubtedly brought to Gaul by the Roman conquest. All gallica roses are disease-resistant and undemanding bushes.

The 'Charles de Mills' rose has been honoured with an Award of Garden Merit in England due to its ornamental qualities and excellent garden performance. This sturdy, bushy shrub grows to a height of about 1.20 m (3 ft 11 in) in all directions and has a moderately fast growth rate. Its foliage is a dark green colour and is remarkably healthy. The roses bloom abundantly in June and July for several weeks, with flowers of a nice size reaching 10-12 cm (3.9 - 4.7 in) in diameter. They are grouped in numerous clusters and bloom on at least one-year-old branches. The flowers are fully double and relatively flat, with about 40 petals arranged in a spiral. The roses are organised in quarters in full bloom, sometimes revealing a small dark green heart. They are a mix of dark crimson red and burgundy, with violet and brown tones showing themselves at ripeness. The scent of the flowers is more or less pronounced, typical of an old rose. This variety develops lightly thorny branches.

Although often overlooked for newer repeat-flowering varieties, Gallica roses are vigorous plants with a rich history. Shrub varieties like 'Versicolor', 'Cardinal de Richelieu', and 'Charles de Mills' are often found standing guard in abandoned gardens and cemeteries, while many others have died. Despite its once-a-season flowering, Charles de Mills is far from being a sad plant with its velvety red-violet flowers that are rich and dark. It contributes to the vitality of summer-flowering shrub borders and landscaped hedges and looks great mixed with buddleias, abelias, or deutzias. It also complements perennial geraniums, phlox paniculata, dame's rocket, and purple toadflax in perennial beds. These qualities make us forget that it only flowers once and show that this beautiful rose deserves a spot in every rose lover's garden.

If you have enough space, English, Old or Shrub Roses are magnificent planted in groups of three plants. They will grow together to form 'one' opulent bush that will bloom generously.