French rose.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous shrub

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

4 to 5 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 8

Bloom time

Early to mid summer

Care

Plant this rose in a spot with plenty of airflow to keep the leaves dry and prevent fungal issues. Watch for yellowing leaves or spots, which might suggest it needs more sun or better drainage. Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy.

Watering

Water deeply at the base of the plant to keep the roots hydrated.

Feeding

Apply a balanced rose fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead wood and shape the shrub.

Repotting

If growing in a container, move to a larger pot every few years to refresh the soil.

Soil

Well drained loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

-25 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 15 to 20 years or more.

Fragrance

Strong

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant is generally non toxic, though the thorns can cause mechanical injury.

Children

The stems are covered in sharp prickles that can easily scratch a child's skin.

Contact allergens

Sharp thorns can cause skin scratches and minor irritation.

Airborne allergens

The pollen may trigger mild seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

While the petals are edible, ensure they are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

How to identify it

• Deep pink to crimson petals
• Fragrant semi double or double flowers
• Dark green matte foliage
• Sturdy upright shrub habit
• Prickly stems with small thorns

Height

0.6 to 1.2m

Spread

0.6 to 1m

Leaves

medium green, dark green, deciduous

Flowers

pink, deep crimson, 5 to 8cm

Fruit

red, late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

• Black spot · A fungal infection causing dark spots on leaves.
• Aphids · Small insects that feed on new growth and flower buds.

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, division, seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

Mulch the base in late autumn to protect roots from extreme temperature fluctuations. No heavy pruning is needed before winter.

In containers

It is best grown in the ground due to its suckering habit, but can grow in a very large container.

Planting aromatic herbs nearby can help mask the rose's scent from certain pests.

Grows well with

• Lavender · They share similar sun and soil requirements.
• Catmint · It acts as a lovely ground cover that hides the rose's bare lower stems.

Similar species

• Damask Rose · It shares a similar historical lineage and fragrance profile.

Science

Family

Rosaceae

Genus

Rosa

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Central and southern Europe to western Asia.

Conservation

It is a stable species and not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in open, sunny scrublands and forest edges where it can spread via suckers.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, provides shelter

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Uses

ornamental shrub, culinary petals, potpourri

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need pruning?

Yes, prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape.

Can it grow in shade?

It prefers full sun but tolerates light shade.

Where the name comes from

The name Rosa gallica refers to its historical association with France, where it was widely grown.

Good to know

• It is often called the French Rose.
• It is one of the oldest roses in cultivation.
• The flowers are typically very fragrant.
• It spreads by underground suckers.