Rosa gallica Versicolor - Old Gallic Rose

Rosa gallica 'Versicolor' is a bush rose whose origin dates back to antiquity. It possesses the same vigour as the officinal rose from which it originates. This reliable variety produces abundantly, in summer, fanciful, semi-double and silky flowers, light pink more or less streaked with dark pink, exhaling a pure scent of old rose. It withstands everything, without assistance, persists in old gardens, sneaks and assaults abandoned slopes, accompanying generations of forgetful gardeners without losing its good humour. In a word, it thrives everywhere.

Rosa gallica 'Versicolor', also known as Rosa mundi or Provins variegated, is a mutation of the botanical rose Rosa gallica var. officinalis, already mentioned in the West in 1583 by Charles de Lécluse. This ancient rose, already celebrated by the Greek poet Anacreon in the 6th century BC, was undoubtedly brought to Gaul by the Roman conquest. All the so-called gallic roses are resistant and undemanding bushes.

This shrub with a bushy habit reaches approximately 1.20m (3in 11ft) in all directions, with a moderately fast growth. Its foliage is adorned with a fairly dark green hue, and it is remarkably healthy. It blooms abundantly in June-July, with medium-sized flowers. Its petals are randomly streaked with vivid dark pink, almost red, on a candy pink background, with a very clear transition between the two colours. The fragrance of its roses is medium to strong, pleasant, typical of old rose. This variety marked a turning point in the history of roses, as it was selected for its ornamental qualities rather than medicinal ones.

Subsequently abandoned for remontant hybrid varieties, gallic roses are nevertheless sturdy plants full of history. Bushes like 'Versicolor', 'Cardinal de Richelieu' or 'Charles de Mills' stand guard in abandoned old gardens and cemeteries, while many others have surrendered. Far from being sad, 'Versicolor' contributes to the exuberance of summer-flowering shrub borders, landscape hedges, mixed with buddleias, abelias, or deutzias. Its modest growth allows it to fit into perennial borders, where it wonderfully accompanies perennial geraniums, panicle phlox, dame's rocket, or purple toadflax. These qualities make us forget that it only blooms once, a flaw that is not reproached to other flowering shrubs! It definitely deserves to be planted in all rose lovers' gardens.

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