Rosa x centifolia
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rosa centifolia pomponia
- Phonetic Spelling
- RO-zuh sen-tih-FOH-lee-uh
- Description
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The Provence Rose is a garden hybrid rose thought to have been developed in Europe several hundred years ago. This variety of rose is a flowering shrub with an upright twiggy habit, abundant small leaves, and large, fragrant pink or lavender flowers that blossom in early summer. Centifolias, in general, are a type of European rose, often known as Cabbage Roses. They are thorny, open bushes to 4 to 5 feet high, with abundant blooms. The genus and species names combine to mean "hundred leaved rose".
The Provence Rose prefers full sun and well-drained moist soil, but will tolerate some shade and sandy, loamy, or clay soils. It will not do well in poor soil. Good companion plants include alliums, parsley, and lupins, but this rose does not get along well with boxwood.
This plant is a very ornamental shrub that can be grown as low hedge or in tubs. It produces few suckers and hybridizes freely with other members of the Rosa genus. The Provence Rose can be propagated from seed, but can take up to 2 years to germinate. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth can take up to 12 months to establish, but a high percentage of them normally succeed. Suckers can be divided in the dormant season and planted into their permanent positions.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Plants in the Rosa genus are susceptible to honey fungus. Garlic planted nearby, can help protect the plant from disease and insects. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information center has fact sheets on growing roses, including R. centifolia, and on common diseases and common pests.
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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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rosa
- Family:
- Roseaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- An essential oil, obtained from the flowers, is used in perfumery. The dried petals are used in pot-pourri.
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Edibility:
- The seeds can be ground and mixed with flour or added to other foods as a supplement. The blossoms are used for scenting tea. Remove the hairs surrounding the seeds as they can irritate the mouth and digestive tract if ingested.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Rose
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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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)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Description:
- Rose hips are round with a thin layer of pulp around the seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Dome
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Light rosy pink with lilac. One inch, globular, blooms in summer only. The color fades as the summer grows hotter. Large, double and fragrant blossoms are abundant with numerous thin overlapping petals that are highly scented.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Greyish green pinnate leaves with 5 to 7 leaflets.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are arching and covered with small spines.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- English Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Hedge
