Centifolia Roses

King Midas was reported to have roses with 60 petals in his gardens; other ancient sources claim roses with 100 petals. The Romans probably distributed forms of R. centifolia, but little is known of them until the 'hundred-petalled' roses became prominent in France and Holland during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Many roses in this family have been called cabbage roses, and many more were the subjects of paintings, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The shrubs are not noted for any elegance of form, nonetheless these roses present a romantic picture with great, luxuriant blooms drooping on their lax branches. They are fragrant, very winter hardy, and almost all of them are non-recurrent. Their petals are good for potpourri. They can be pruned hard in the winter, to two or three buds.

Chapeau de Napoleon (Cristata) The bud of this lovely medium pink rose has a calyx with crested wings, giving it that 'Napoleon's Hat' look. It is also known as 'Crested Moss' though it is not a Moss rose. 5' (1826) Cabbage Rose (Rosa centifolia) Some controversy surrounds this rose: is it the true R. centifolia? Nevertheless, it is a beautiful rose, classic in form, and often the subject of paintings. It is deep, rich pink, with very double blooms and a heady perfume. It can form a hedge. 6' (<1620) Fantin-Latour Named for a prominent painter of floral still-lifes, this lovely rose is of unknown origin. It has Centifolia-like flowers, but it has pleasing foliage on a rounded shrub, unlike other Centifolias. Its blooms are a delicate blush pink, deeper in color towards the center. The outer petals open flat, and the inner petals swirl--a spectacular sight! The bush is shrubby, at about 4'-5'. (very old) Rose de Meux (Rosa centifolia pomponia) An old rose in miniature, 'de Meaux' has tiny buds opening to pink pompoms, perfectly formed and 1" across, with miniature Centifolia-type leaves. This 18" to 2' shrub is a good candidate for small spaces or container culture. (1789)

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