Versicolor Rosa Gallica Versicolor 'Mundi'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- RO-zuh
- Description
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The versicolor rose in the Rosaceae family is an old world rose in the Gallica group and a sport of the Apothecary Rose. It is the oldest of the striped roses. It was introduced in the 1500s and was given to Thomas Jefferson in 1791 at Monticello. It is surrounded by many romantic tales of how it got its name, the most popular being it was named for 'Fair Rosamund', mistress of Henry II.
This shrub grows up to 4 feet tall and wide in a compact bushy form and is semi-evergreen in warmer climates. It prefers full sun to partial shade in amended moist well-drained soils but will tolerate poorer soils. Prune after blooming is complete, cutting back long canes by 1/3 and side shoots by 2/3. Dead or diseased canes can be removed at any time. If rose hips are desired, delay pruning time.
The pink blend fragrant flowers are semi-double and appear from May to June on long stems with few prickles. The compound leaves are gray-green and orange rose hips will form if not pruned off.
Use the versicolor rose in the border, as a hedge, in an English or cottage garden or as a specimen.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Has moderate disease resistance. Watch for black spot, rust and powdery mildew. See pests of roses to the left. Deer will browse roses.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rosa
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- Edibility:
- The petals are edible in salads. They are used in potpourri
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Rose
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Prickles
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Orange
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Description:
- Produces orange rose hips if flowers are not pruned off.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Variegated
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- The 3-4 inch fragrant flowers have 9-16 petals and are variegated pink and white with yellow stamens. They bloom once in late spring to early summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Medium green compound leaves with 5 leaflets.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green stems with few prickles
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- English Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
