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Cabbage Rose

Rosa (RO-zuh sen-tih-FOH-lee-uh)

Family: Rosaceae Unknown Shrub (3-15 ft)

Provence rose is a perennial, broadleaf evergreen shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae) and has an upright, arching, twiggy habit that grows 4 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide. It is a hybrid Centifolia rose thought to have been developed by Dutch breeders several hundred years ago. It is a hybrid involving R. canina , R. gallica and R. moschata . Several cultivars have been developed based on mutations. The hybrid epithet is Latin for β€œone hundred leaves [petals]” and refers to the flower form. Centifolias are also known as cabbage roses. Provence rose prefers full sun and well-drained, moist soil, but it will tolerate some shade and sandy, loamy or clay soils. It produces a few suckers if grown on its own rootstock and hybridizes freely with other roses. Propagate by division during dormancy or by seed or stem cutting. Prune after flowering to remove dead or diseased canes. In late winter, it can be lightly pruned to reduce size. The fragrant pink or lavender flowers blossom in early summer. The flowers are large, globular and very fragrant. Large leathery leaves adorn stems with many prickles. It is primarily grown for the perfume industry and may be hard to find. Cultivars may be more readily available. This ornamental shrub can be grown in the landscape as a low hedge, border or accent plant. It can also grow well in tubs and would be suitable in a cottage or English garden. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Plants in the Rosa genus are susceptible to honey fungus, black spot, powdery mildew, stem canker and dieback. Insect pests include aphids, Japanese beetles, thrips, rose scale, rose leafhopper, rose slugs, leafcutting bees, caterpillars and grasshoppers. Garlic planted nearby can help protect the plant from disease and insects. Deer will browse roses. 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 developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Rosa .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 52 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 3 - Shrub (3-15 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Fills a similar niche Rosa First Light 'DEVrudi' Rosa Rise 'n' Shine 'MELcupag' Rosa Tamora 'AUStamora'

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Rose; Shrub
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect; Multi-stemmed
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf value
Long-lasting
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Greyish green pinnate leaves with 5 to 7 leaflets.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower shape
Dome
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
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.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit detail
Rose hips are round with a thin layer of pulp around the seeds
Stem detail
Stems are arching and covered with small prickles.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Seeds
Fruit type
Pome

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.

Uses (ethnobotany)

An essential oil, obtained from the flowers, is used in perfumery. The dried petals are used in pot-pourri.

Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Woodland
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; English Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Hedge
Garden tags
#container plant #flowering shrub #ornamental shrub #fragrant flowers #edible seeds #showy flowers #double flowers #full sun #shrub rose
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Pests of Rose
Other problems
White-Tailed Deer
Problems
Spines/Thorns
Propagation
Division; Seed; Stem Cutting

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.