Rose Mundi – Old Gallica Shrub Rose

An ancient sport of the apothecary’s rose, Rosa gallica Versicolor is known as Rosa Mundi – the Rose of the World – and is said to have been named for Fair Rosamund, the murdered mistress of Henry II. It’s a small, deciduous shrub rose with an upright, compact, bushy habit and matte, greyish-green, divided leaves. In midsummer, the shrub bears a profusion of gorgeous, highly fragrant, semi-double flowers, rose-pink irregularly splashed and streaked with white or palest pink and a boss of golden stamens; in autumn, the flowers are followed by small, oval hips. Rosa Mundi is a tough, reliable, healthy rose that holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Any moisture-retentive, humus-rich, well-drained soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: Midsummer
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height:  3’ (1m) Spread: 3’ (1m) in 2-5 years