Said to be named after ‘Fair Rosamund’, the mistress of King Henry II, which gives it a romantic connotation. Rosa Mundi is also the oldest known striped rose which cements its place in history.
This is a a sport of the Apothecary Rose (Rosa gallica officinalis) and although not widely offered for sale it has been widely grown around the world.
The botanical name is Rosa gallica ‘versicolor’ and this reflects the mid fuchsia pink and pale pink to white stripes that are a major feature of the flowers.
Although not a repeat flowering rose it does flower over a number of weeks, has a medium perfume and is reasonably disease resistant.
Flowering in spring this is a woody shrub that is easy care once established. Having been around since at least 1600 and maybe as far back as 1200, this historic rose earns a place in rose gardens around the world.
Care
Use Rosa mundi as a feature plant in the garden or as a low growing flowering hedge. It will reach around 1 metre (3ft) in height with a similar spread.
Plant is full sun in a humus rich well drained soil.
Mulch around the rose to maintain a cool moist root run.
Prune after flowering cutting back by around 1/3 each year.