Milky white with a pale flush; old alba; very hardy; flowers once.
Once-flowering (spring / early summer; does not repeat). Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.
An old alba from the early XIX century (since 1818)
Albas are exceptionally cold-hardy · all of Ukraine without winter protection.
Compare reference temperatures
26–40 petals.
Strong: the classic sweet honeyed scent of albas.
Very good (≈4.5/5): albas are among the most disease-resistant.
Full sun and partial shade (even north walls); in rain the flowers may rot.
Has prickles, moderate number.
Blue-green (glaucous), matt, healthy.
Milky white with a pale pink flush; opens cream with a pink tint and fades to milky white / almost white
Souvenir de la Malmaisonsoft pink
Great Maiden's Blushcream-pink
Sea Foamcreamy white
Munstead Wooddark raspberry · contrast
Astrantia Romapink-white
Hosta Patriotgreen foliage
Veronicastrum Albumblue-violet
Heuchera Silver Scrollspurple foliageOther white and cream varieties with a soft pink blush:
Small white, green and silver flowers and foliage — a classic companion palette for white bouquets and 'moonlit' gardens:
What makes this old alba special:
Where to plant. Historic and romantic gardens, woodland edges and partly shaded corners, hedges, cottage gardens.
Climate. Albas are exceptionally frost-hardy (down to −34 °C and below): all of Ukraine without special protection. They tolerate partial shade, even north walls; in rain the flowers may rot.
Care. Undemanding; flowers on last year's wood, so do NOT cut back hard in spring: sanitary pruning after flowering; minimal spraying; light tying if needed.
Name. 'Jeanne d'Arc', after Joan of Arc (the Maid of Orléans).
Breeding. Bred by Jean-Pierre Vibert in France in 1818; an old alba; parents: seedling 'Élisa'. There is also a later Noisette 'Jeanne d'Arc', but this is Vibert's alba.
Significance. A classic white alba with a two-century history: a symbol of purity and resilience; it gives generous spring flowering with almost no care.
The cultivar’s reference temperature is −34 °C. Overwintering depends on the conditions.
Once-flowering (spring / early summer; does not repeat).
150–185 cm tall, about 150 cm wide.
Overall resistance: 4.5 out of 5. 4.5 / 5; very healthy: albas are among the most resistant classes.
Sun / partial shade; full sun and partial shade (even north walls); in rain the flowers may rot.
Strong: the classic sweet honeyed scent of albas.