China Rose; Old Garden Rose; historic classic1751Pink

Old Blush

One of the most important roses in the history of breeding; the founder of repeat flowering in European roses; WFRS Old Rose HoF 1988; 🇨🇳 cultivated in China for ~1000 years, brought to Europe in 1751 (Peter Osbeck); it gave rise to the Bourbon, Noisette and Hybrid Perpetual classes and to modern garden roses.

WFRS Old Rose Hall of Fame 1988 — one of the first 4 inductees · one of the 'Four Stud Chinas' — the forebear of repeat flowering in Europe

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat flowering

Generously repeat-flowering from May to the first frosts — the main historic trait of this variety: Old Blush brought repeat flowering to Europe (before it, European roses flowered 1 time per season). Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Legacy

WFRS HoF 1988

One of the 'Four Stud Chinas' · 1751 in Europe

Winter hardiness

−18 °C

USDA zone 6–7. All of Ukraine with light winter protection.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

100–150 × 90–120 cm

Habit: Upright-spreading bush; with pruning it can be trained as a climber up to 2.5 m
Dimensions: 100–150 cm tall × 90–120 cm wide as a bush; up to 2.5 m as a climber
Support: As a climber if wished — pergola, trellis, wall; as a bush, not needed
Shoots: Flexible, slender — typical of China roses; they train well onto a support
Branching: Well branched, with flexible canes

Flower

≈ 7 cm

12 petals.

Bud shape: Small, round-conical, soft pink
Open flower: Semi-double: ~12 petals, an open form with prominent yellow stamens
Centre: Open, with yellow stamens — a typical China rose
Fullness: ~12 petals (semi-double)
Flower carriage: In clusters of 3–7 — typical of China roses

Fragrance

Moderate; tea

Moderate tea scent (light to strong tea fragrance) — typical of China roses; the basis of the scent of Hybrid Teas.

Disease resistance

5 out of 5

Maximum 5/5: proven by 270+ years of commercial cultivation in Europe and America; tolerates poor soils, partial shade and drought.

Sun

Sun and shade

Tolerates partial shade and poor soils.

Thorns

Few

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Few thorns — typical of China roses.

Foliage

Delicate, semi-glossy, light green — typical of China roses.

Other names

Parsons' Pink China, Common Monthly, Monthly Rose, Old Blush China, Old Pink Daily, Pallida, Rosier du Bengale Rose, Rosa × odorata 'Pallida

All characteristics in a table

Group: China Rose; Old Garden Rose; historic classic
Breeder: China, 1751
Bud shape: Small, round-conical, soft pink
Open flower: Semi-double: ~12 petals, an open form with prominent yellow stamens
Centre: Open, with yellow stamens — a typical China rose
Colour: Light silvery pink with a characteristic pearly sheen; it darkens with age (typical for Chinas) — unusual for most roses, which fade
Fullness: ~12 petals (semi-double)
Flower carriage: In clusters of 3–7 — typical of China roses
Flowering: Generously repeat-flowering from May to the first frosts — the main historic trait of this variety: Old Blush brought repeat flowering to Europe (before it, European roses flowered 1 time per season)
Fragrance: Moderate tea scent (light to strong tea fragrance) — typical of China roses; the basis of the scent of Hybrid Teas
Hips: Noticeable red hips; they ripen well in autumn and can be left for decoration
Habit: Upright-spreading bush; with pruning it can be trained as a climber up to 2.5 m
Branching: Well branched, with flexible canes
Shoots: Flexible, slender — typical of China roses; they train well onto a support
Thorns: Few thorns — typical of China roses.
Dimensions: 100–150 cm tall × 90–120 cm wide as a bush; up to 2.5 m as a climber
Support: As a climber if wished — pergola, trellis, wall; as a bush, not needed
Foliage: Delicate, semi-glossy, light green — typical of China roses
Resistance: Maximum 5/5: proven by 270+ years of commercial cultivation in Europe and America; tolerates poor soils, partial shade and drought
Variations of the variety: Many historic synonyms: 'Parsons' Pink China', 'Common Monthly', 'Monthly Rose', 'Old Blush China', 'Old Pink Daily', 'Pallida', 'Rosier du Bengale Rose', Rosa × odorata 'Pallida'. Unknown Chinese breeder; cultivated in China for ~1000 years. Brought to Europe by Peter Osbeck from Canton in 1751; recorded in Sweden in 1752 and in England by 1759. Commercially introduced by Mr. Parsons in Britain in 1793 (hence 'Parsons' Pink China')

Colour scheme

Light silvery pink with a characteristic pearly sheen; it darkens with age (typical for Chinas) — unusual for most roses, which fade

Rose neighbours

Pierre de Ronsardcream-pink

Olivia Rose Austinsoft pink

New Dawnpearl-pink

Munstead Wooddark raspberry · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavenderlavender

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla)lime green

Lamb's ear (Stachys)silver

Catmint (Nepeta)sky blue

Neighbouring roses

Historic and repeat-flowering descendants of Old Blush — they form a 'genealogical line':

Pierre de Ronsard Olivia Rose Austin New Dawn Munstead Wood

Perennial companions

Classic historic cottage palette:

lavenderlady's mantle (Alchemilla)lamb's ear (Stachys)catmint (Nepeta)

Availability worldwide

Historic classic, available from specialist nurseries:

🇺🇸 USA: high · 'old roses' segment🇪🇺 Europe: high · botanic gardens🇨🇳 China: high · homeland🇺🇦 Ukraine: moderate · collectors' nurseries

More about the variety

Hips: Noticeable red hips; they ripen well in autumn and can be left for decoration
Variations of the variety: Many historic synonyms: 'Parsons' Pink China', 'Common Monthly', 'Monthly Rose', 'Old Blush China', 'Old Pink Daily', 'Pallida', 'Rosier du Bengale Rose', Rosa × odorata 'Pallida'. Unknown Chinese breeder; cultivated in China for ~1000 years. Brought to Europe by Peter Osbeck from Canton in 1751; recorded in Sweden in 1752 and in England by 1759. Commercially introduced by Mr. Parsons in Britain in 1793 (hence 'Parsons' Pink China')

How to grow

Where to plant. In historic cottage-style plantings, in borders with old garden roses and Bourbon-varieties; as a climber on a pergola (up to 2.5 m); uniquely, it tolerates partial shade, poor soils and drought, so it is good for difficult spots in the garden; ideal for 'witchy/traditional' corners of the garden with a historic character.

Climate. All of Ukraine with light winter protection (USDA 6–7, down to −18 °C); it copes well with summer heat. One of the toughest roses of all.

Care. Full sun or light shade; minimal care — its disease resistance allows almost no preventive treatment; feed 1–2 times a season; prune by ¼ in spring (China roses do not like hard pruning); 270+ years confirm its reliability.

About the name

Name. 'Old Blush' — English 'old blush': 'old' for the variety's ancient origin, 'blush' for its pearly silvery-pink colour. 'Parsons' Pink China' is named after Mr. Parsons, a Briton who put the variety into commercial circulation in 1793. Many historic synonyms: 'Common Monthly' (because it flowers 'monthly'), 'Old Pink Daily', 'Pallida', 'Rosa × odorata 'Pallida''.

Breeding. An unknown Chinese breeder; cultivated in China for ~1000 years. Brought to Europe by Peter Osbeck from Canton in 1751; recorded in Sweden in 1752 and in England by 1759. Derived from Rosa chinensis (the Chinese cultivated form). Introduced commercially in Britain by Mr. Parsons in 1793.

Significance. One of the most important roses in breeding history, the foundation of modern roses. Old Blush is one of the 'Four Stud Chinas' (4 Chinese roses that brought repeat flowering to Europe). Before 1751, European roses flowered only 1 time per season. It gave rise to the Bourbon, Noisette and Hybrid Perpetual classes, and further on to modern garden roses (Hybrid Tea, Floribunda, Shrub). WFRS Old Rose Hall of Fame 1988: one of the first four roses chosen for the World Federation of Rose Societies' Old Rose Hall of Fame when it was founded. It probably inspired Thomas Moore's song 'The Last Rose of Summer' (1805), one of the best-known Irish ballads. Without Old Blush there would be no modern roses.

Frequently asked questions about Old Blush

Does Old Blush need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −18 °C (USDA zone 6–7). Overwintering depends on the conditions. All of Ukraine with light winter protection.

How many times a season does Old Blush flower?

How big does Old Blush grow?

100–150 cm tall, 90–120 cm wide. On a support — up to 250 cm.

Which diseases affect Old Blush?

Overall resistance: 5 out of 5. Outstanding; proven by 270+ years of cultivation in Europe.

How much sun does Old Blush need?

Sun and shade; tolerates partial shade and poor soils.

What does Old Blush smell like?