About the name
Name. 'Zéphirine Drouhin' — after the wife of a rose enthusiast from Semur-en-Auxois (Côte-d'Or, Burgundy, France). A personal dedication, typical of French breeders of the XIX century. The synonym 'The Thornless Rose' entered English-language literature as a designation for this variety.
Breeding. Bred by Léon Bizot (France). Introduced 1868. Parentage not disclosed (it predates the registration system); Boursault × Hybrid Perpetual is assumed. Classified as Bourbon / Climbing / Hybrid Pendulina. Synonyms: Belle Dijonaise, Madame Charles Bonnet, Madame Gustave, Ingenoli Predilatta.
Significance. THE BENCHMARK FOR THORNLESS ROSES — the world standard of the thornless rose. 'The Thornless Rose' is a nickname that became the designation of this variety. 158 years in cultivation without a break (1868–2026). Continuous flowering — one of the first in spring and the last in autumn; a rarity among Bourbons. Strong damask fragrance — the same as in the Damask and Bourbon-family roses. Safe for arches by paths — the most important practical quality, ideal for children's gardens and places with lots of foot traffic. USDA 5b-10b — all of Ukraine without protection. Tolerates partial shade — a rarity for climbers. A classic Bourbon climber for cottage gardens in the Sissinghurst style. IMPORTANT CORRECTION OF A MYTH: it is NOT in the WFRS Old Rose Hall of Fame. Only 5 roses are on that list: Cécile Brünner, Gloire de Dijon, Gruss an Teplitz, Old Blush and Souvenir de la Malmaison. Zéphirine Drouhin is not included, probably because of its susceptibility to disease. This is a common myth in secondary catalogues. It is susceptible to black spot, powdery mildew and rust — a classic problem of Bourbons that has persisted after 158 years of breeding.