A chance cross between Old Blush China and the Autumn Damask led to the first of the Bourbon Roses. This occurred in 1817 on the Ile de Bourbon an island in the Indian ocean. Later it was hybridised further with Gallica and Damask roses. Most varieties are blessed with a good fragrance, recurrent flowering and refined foliage.
The most famous of Bourbon Roses in circulation today is Mme. Isaac Pereire, among many of its qualities its height has made it a perfect choice for a pillar rose. Meanwhile two quintessential ‘old rose garden’ picks, for both colour and shape would be Louise Odier and Souvenir de la Malmaison, the latter also has a fantastic climbing sport, which can be found in our climbing category.
Pruning Guide: Prune by one third once fully established.
