GALLICA ROSES

The Gallicas are probably the oldest of the for groups of roses. In 1962 the great English botanist and gardener, John Parkinson, listed twelve varieties. A little later the Dutch began raising seedlings to produce new varieties. It was not long before France also took a hand, and there breeding was carried out on a large scale; and the group that came to be known as Gallicas appeared on scene. In 1800 there were said to be over a thousand different varieties. Most of these have long since been lost, but there are still more survivors from this group than from any other of this time.

Gallica Roses usually form small shrubs, generally not more then 4ft in height, with strong, upright growth and numerous small, bristly thorns. Grown on their own roots they will sucker widely. The flowers range in color from deep pink to purple, but are seldom clear crimson. They have many petals, forming neat rosette-shaped flowerts, but these do not have a particularly strong fragrance.