Rosa Yolande d’Aragon - Portland Rose

The 'Yolande d'Aragon' Rose is often considered as an anthem to cheerfulness. Perhaps due to its resistance, undoubtedly because of its wonderfully scented flowering, accompanied by a very bright pink colour. This old remontant rose forms an erect bush adorned with large slightly glaucous green leaves, and consistently produces large, very full flowers, initially round and bright pink, then opening into flatter cups while taking on purple hues, edged with light pink. A generous, easy-going, and characterful bush rose, accessible to all gardeners, even beginners!

The 'Yolande d'Aragon' Rose, named in homage to "the most beautiful Princess of Christianity," a fervent follower of Joan of Arc, is an old horticultural variety obtained in 1843 by Vibert. It is most often classified in the complex family of Portland roses, sometimes in that of Remontant Hybrids. However, it stands out from Portland roses due to its frugality and light foliage, with leaves that are remarkably large for this category. 'Yolande d'Aragon' forms a dense bush with an erect habit, which will not exceed 1.50m (4ft 11in) in height and 1m (3ft 4in) in width. Its deciduous foliage is carried by sturdy stems. It has excellent disease resistance. It blooms abundantly in mid-June, then again during the summer and in September-October, consistently and regularly if faded flowers are removed. It produces rounded buds that open into cup-shaped and then fully bloomed large double roses, about 10cm (3.9in) wide, in flat cups, organized in quarters around a small green eye. The scent of these roses is powerful, wonderful, and enchanting.

With its bushy growth and ease of cultivation, the 'Yolande d'Aragon' Rose is easy to plant in all gardens, across different climatic regions. If you have little experience in the matter, opt for this generous and truly undemanding rose. In flower beds, its roses go well with all kinds of perennials and bushes without fuss, such as catmints, cotton lavenders, Stachys lanata, white foxgloves, or paniculate Gypsophila. It will also thrive as a standalone plant, installed at the edge of a path or not far from the terrace, to enjoy its scent until late in the season if autumn is mild.

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