Gallica; old garden rose; stripedPink

Rosa Mundi

Striped — rose-carmine stripes on an almost white background; WFRS Old Rose HoF 2009 + RHS AGM; named after Rosamund Clifford, mistress of Henry II Plantagenet; one of the oldest documented striped varieties in Europe; a spontaneous sport of R. gallica officinalis.

R. gallica versicolor · WFRS Old Rose Hall of Fame 2009 + RHS AGM

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Once-flowering

A single, powerful burst lasting 3–4 weeks in mid-summer. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Awards

WFRS HoF 2009

Old Rose Hall of Fame · RHS AGM

Winter hardiness

−34 °C

USDA zone 4–8. All of Ukraine without protection.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

90–120 × 90–120 cm

Habit: A dense, rounded bush — the typical gallica shape
Dimensions: 90–120 cm tall × 90–120 cm wide — compact
Support: Not needed — self-supporting
Shoots: Moderately stiff; on its own roots it produces suckers
Branching: Well branched, becoming dense with age

Flower

≈ 7 cm

9–16 petals.

Bud shape: Round, with visible stripes already at the bud stage
Open flower: Cupped semi-double, ~7 cm, with prominent yellow stamens in the centre
Centre: Bright yellow stamens — the main accent against the light background
Fullness: 9–16 petals (semi-double)
Flower carriage: Mostly solitary large flowers, sometimes in clusters of 2–3

Fragrance

Medium; classic old rose

Medium, classic old rose / damask-like.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

Black spotresistant

Exceptionally hardy (USDA 4); tolerates poor soils well; resistant to the main diseases.

Sun

Sun + shade

Tolerates partial shade; typical gallica hardiness.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Small, frequent prickles on the canes — typical of gallicas.

Foliage

Matt green, somewhat coarse, typical gallica texture.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Gallica; old garden rose; striped
Bud shape: Round, with visible stripes already at the bud stage
Open flower: Cupped semi-double, ~7 cm, with prominent yellow stamens in the centre
Centre: Bright yellow stamens — the main accent against the light background
Colour: Striped: rose-carmine stripes on an almost white / pale pink background. Each flower is unique — the stripe pattern never repeats. Occasionally the bush gives 'reverting' flowers in a plain pink form (a return to the parent Officinalis)
Fullness: 9–16 petals (semi-double)
Flower carriage: Mostly solitary large flowers, sometimes in clusters of 2–3
Flowering: A single, powerful burst lasting 3–4 weeks in mid-summer
Fragrance: Medium, classic old rose / damask-like
Hips: Produces round dark red rose hips in autumn
Habit: A dense, rounded bush — the typical gallica shape
Branching: Well branched, becoming dense with age
Shoots: Moderately stiff; on its own roots it produces suckers
Thorns: Small, frequent prickles on the canes — typical of gallicas.
Dimensions: 90–120 cm tall × 90–120 cm wide — compact
Support: Not needed — self-supporting
Foliage: Matt green, somewhat coarse, typical gallica texture
Resistance: Exceptionally hardy (USDA 4); tolerates poor soils well; resistant to the main diseases
Variations of the variety: Often confused with 'Variegata di Bologna' (Bourbon-striped) — these are different varieties. Reverting to plain pink is normal for this variety: the sport reverts to the parent Officinalis form

Colour scheme

Striped: rose-carmine stripes on an almost white / pale pink background. Each flower is unique — the stripe pattern never repeats. Occasionally the bush gives 'reverting' flowers in a plain pink form (a return to the parent Officinalis)

Rose neighbours

R. gallica officinalisrose-carmine

Charles de Millsdark purple

Madame Hardywhite

Icebergpure white · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Sageviolet

Lavenderlavender

White foxgloverose-purple

Silver wormwood (Artemisia)silver

Neighbouring roses

Other old varieties — for the atmosphere of a monastic/medieval garden:

R. gallica officinalis Charles de Mills Madame Hardy Iceberg

Perennial companions

A classic monastery-garden palette — aromatic herbs and violet tones:

sagelavenderwhite foxglovesilver wormwood (Artemisia)

Contrasting accents

White and silver — to highlight the stripe pattern:

gypsophilalamb's earwhite phloxgreater masterwort

More about the variety

Hips: Produces round dark red rose hips in autumn
Variations of the variety: Often confused with 'Variegata di Bologna' (Bourbon-striped) — these are different varieties. Reverting to plain pink is normal for this variety: the sport reverts to the parent Officinalis form

How to grow

Where to plant. Historic flower gardens, monastery gardens, romantic cottage zones; as the 'star' of a border; in kitchen or apothecary gardens (continuing the Provins tradition); good in large ceramic pots; in children's gardens — every flower is unique, with its own stripe pattern.

Climate. All of Ukraine without protection (USDA 4–8); ideal for cold regions; undemanding about soil.

Care. Minimal — old gallicas are naturally tough. Prune only for hygiene after flowering (once only!); remove suckers from the roots; needs no protection.

About the name

Name. 'Rosa mundi' — Latin for 'rose of the world'. According to legend, it is named after Rosamund (Rosamonde) Clifford (c. 1140–1176), the mistress of King Henry II of England, 'Fair Rosamund'. The name itself was probably given in reference to the epithet of the Virgin Mary, 'rosa mundi'. A link with the tragic romance of medieval England.

Breeding. A spontaneous sport of R. gallica officinalis — a mutation that arose in nature, without human intervention. Documented from 1581, and mentioned by Brunfels (1532) — one of the oldest documented striped rose varieties in Europe. The breeder is unknown — it is a find of nature that has been kept in cultivation for 5+ centuries. Occasionally flowers on one bush 'revert' to pure pink — a return to the parent Officinalis (a normal phenomenon for sports).

Significance. WFRS Old Rose Hall of Fame 2009 — worldwide recognition among old roses. RHS Award of Garden Merit. One of the oldest striped varieties — the parent of all 'striped' roses (Variegata di Bologna, Honorine de Brabant and other Bourbon-striped roses that appeared 200+ years later). A symbol of medieval England — mentioned in historical texts from the twelfth century. Every flower is unique — the stripe pattern never repeats, like a snowflake.

Frequently asked questions about Rosa Mundi

Does Rosa Mundi need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −34 °C (USDA zone 4–8). Overwintering depends on the conditions. All of Ukraine without protection.

How many times a season does Rosa Mundi flower?

A single, powerful burst lasting 3–4 weeks in mid-summer.

How big does Rosa Mundi grow?

90–120 cm tall, 90–120 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Rosa Mundi?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Good; typical of gallicas; resistant to black spot.

How much sun does Rosa Mundi need?

Sun + shade; tolerates partial shade; typical gallica hardiness.

What does Rosa Mundi smell like?