Charles
De Mills
Origin
- France,
c1790
Parentage - Unknown
Color - Crimson/purple
Foliage - Medium green
Thorns - Light
Size - 3'-5' high x 3'-4' wide
Fragrance - Light
Repeat bloom - No
Disease resistance - Fair
Hardiness - Zone 4
Charles
de Mills may be one of the most famous old roses and it is easy
to see why. The large crimson velvety blooms are full of petals that
swirl in perfect symmetry. To many, they represent what an old rose
should look like. The bush itself is somewhat lax in growth, about
3 ft. x 5 ft. The blooms last for weeks if the temperature is not
too hot.
The bush
is not too happy during the summer months and usually develops some
blackspot. Sources say that this rose tends to sucker quite a bit
but I have not noticed it doing that in my garden.
No one
really knows about the origins of this rose or even the namesake for
that matter but some experts have surmised that it is the same as
Bizarre Triomphant, a gallica that dates to the 18th century.
More
Old European Roses
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