Deep, velvety lilac shade leaning towards crimson-purple, with a subtle bluish-grey tone. - historical, gallica rose - moderate-strength, noticeably fragrant rose - balsamic, berry-like
– Rich, velvety crimson‑purple historic blooms
– Highly double, romantic rosette flowers
– Moderately strong, balsamic berry fragrance
– Robust shrub with dense, dark foliage
– Proven performer with multiple RHS/ARS awards Speisialta: Gallica clasaiceach ón mbreeder Parmentier, tugtha isteach ó 1840.
Pollinator-friendly approach – Secure ordering
pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre own-root potted rose
19,40 €
5(8141)
CARDINAL DE RICHELIEU – deep purple historic Gallica rose - Parmentier
If You dream of a richly flowering, romantic shrub that simply settles in and performs, CARDINAL DE RICHELIEU is a reliable, heritage rose that suits typical Irish family gardens. Its bushy, upright habit and dense, matt dark-green foliage create a structure that works beautifully in front gardens, cottage-style beds and mixed borders. Once established, it forms a long-lived, own-root shrub that can regenerate from the base, giving stable ornamental value with less upkeep over the years. The velvety, crimson-purple rosette blooms appear in generous clusters in early summer, bringing a dramatic sweep of colour that looks especially striking against stone walls, hedges and evergreen backdrops. The moderate, balsamic, berry-like fragrance adds a quietly elegant note without overwhelming smaller outdoor spaces. This historical Gallica tolerates wind and damp conditions common near the coast, provided You pay some attention to soil drainage, so it adapts well to many Irish situations. Its medium maintenance need is manageable for busy gardeners: a simple annual prune, occasional deadheading and rust monitoring are usually enough for a healthy, enduring shrub. As an own-root plant in a 2-litre pot, it arrives well rooted and ready to start; year one focuses on roots, year two on stronger shoots, and by year three You can enjoy its full character and early-summer display.
Cardinal de Richelieu in a 2-litre pot
Use cases
Target area
Reason
Front garden focal shrub
The tall, bushy habit and dense foliage give strong structure and year-round presence, ideal beside the front door or gate where You want a single, impressive historic rose that still stays manageable for beginners
Cottage-style mixed border
The once-flowering, early-summer flush of velvety crimson-purple blooms suits classic cottage schemes with foxgloves and hardy perennials, offering a romantic seasonal highlight that then recedes into a tidy, green backdrop for homeowners
Small group planting (1–3 shrubs)
Planting a small group at the recommended spacing creates a rounded, richly coloured shrub mass that reads as one feature, giving reliable impact with simple care routines and suiting those who prefer clear, easy-to-manage layouts for busy
Historic or period-style gardens
As a genuine nineteenth-century Gallica with a strong heritage story, it fits beautifully into period settings, walled gardens or traditional village plots, appealing to gardeners who value authenticity and long-lived plantings for collectors
Lightly shaded city garden corners
Its tolerance of partial shade lets You use it where many roses struggle, such as east- or north-facing beds that get only part-day sun, extending rose colour and fragrance into side-return or courtyard spaces for urbanites
Feature rose in a large container
In a 40–50 litre or larger container with good compost and feeding, it becomes an elegant potted shrub for paved areas, balconies or rented gardens, giving the option of taking Your historic rose with You when moving home for renters
Wind-exposed coastal front gardens
Once well rooted, this robust shrub structure copes with breezy, damp sites, provided soil is improved to avoid waterlogging, making it suitable for Irish coastal front gardens where many fussier roses fail for coastal
Long-term, low-replacement plantings
Being an own-root, hardy historical shrub, it forms its own base over time and can reshoot if cut back hard, offering a durable choice for long-lived borders where You prefer to plant once and replace rarely for planners
Decorating ideas
COTTAGE RIBBON – Line a front path with CARDINAL DE RICHELIEU spaced widely, threading between dwarf lavender and sweet alyssum for a scented, old-world entrance – ideal for lovers of relaxed cottage style.
WALLED ELEGANCE – Place one shrub against a south- or west-facing stone wall, underplant with soft grasses and pale Echinacea for contrast – perfect for heritage-leaning homeowners.
PURPLE DRAMA – Combine it in a mixed border with white hydrangeas and silver-foliage perennials to make the deep plum flowers pop – suited to gardeners seeking strong colour statements.
CONTAINER COURTYARD – Grow a single plant in a 40–50 litre terracotta pot, paired with pots of rosemary and lavender for a simple, portable historic rose corner – great for balcony and patio users.
PERIOD FRONTAGE – Flank a traditional doorway with two shrubs, underplanted with low-growing perennials in soft creams and blues for a quietly formal, period feel – appealing to fans of classic village-front gardens.
Technical cultivar profile
Parameter
Data
Name and registration
Cardinal de Richelieu is a historical Gallica rose marketed as a heritage shrub; trade name Cardinal de Richelieu Heritage rose Parmentier, ARS exhibition name Cardinal de Richelieu, unregistered cultivar.
Origin and breeding
Old garden rose of unknown parentage, a Rosa gallica hybrid bred by Louis-Joseph-Ghislain Parmentier in Belgium; introduced around 1840 and distributed as a classic historical shrub rose.
Awards and recognitions
Holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit (1993) for dependable garden performance and has gained American Rose Society honours, including Dowager Rose Queen (2001) and Old Garden Rose Bloom or Spray (2020).
Growth and structure
Bushy, upright shrub 125–180 cm high with 90–140 cm spread, dense matte dark-green foliage and relatively sparse thorns; forms a full, structural clump suited to beds, borders and specimen plantings.
Flower morphology
Medium-sized, very full, rosette-type blooms with over 40 petals, produced mainly in clusters; once-flowering in early summer, with some self-cleaning but occasional spent blooms benefit from manual removal.
Colour and phenology
Closed buds are almost black-purple; flowers open deep crimson-purple with mauve-lilac tones, then fade to smoky lavender-lilac; colour holds best in cooler conditions and may lighten in strong sun and heat.
Fragrance and aroma
Moderately strong, noticeable fragrance with balsamic, berry-like character; sufficient to perfume close seating areas and paths without overwhelming small gardens, especially during the main flowering period.
Rose hip characteristics
Fruit set is generally low due to the very double blooms; occasionally forms spherical red-orange hips 14–22 mm across, adding a discreet seasonal accent rather than a major decorative feature.
Resistance and hardiness
Hardy to about −32 to −29 °C (USDA 4b, RHS H7); tolerates heat with moderate drought resistance if watered in long dry spells; disease resistance moderate overall, but notably susceptible to rust in damp seasons.
Horticultural recommendations
Suited to beds, parks, specimen and urban plantings; prefers well-drained soil, benefits from annual pruning and light deadheading; medium maintenance with occasional fungicide or cultural control where rust pressure is high.
CARDINAL DE RICHELIEU offers rich early-summer colour, a structural, bushy habit and reliable hardiness as a long-lived own-root shrub; an easy, characterful choice if You would like a historic rose that quietly earns its place over time.
Detailed product attributes
Product Identification Data
Product Name:
CARDINAL DE RICHELIEU – deep purple historic Gallica rose - Parmentier
Product Type:
pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL - 2-litre own-root potted rose
Competition and Show Awards:
RHS Award of Garden Merit (1993); American Rose Society – Dowager Rose Queen (2001); American Rose Society – Old Garden Rose Bloom or Spray (2020)
Pollinator Attraction:
Its very double blooms conceal the stamens, so it is poorly attractive to pollinators, since bloom form (simple/semi‑double/double) and stamen accessibility strongly affect pollinator attraction.
Pollinator-Friendly Rating:
Its very double flowers enclose the stamens, making it primarily an ornamental variety.
Rose Hip Notes:
Fruit set (hips) is expected to be low due to the double flowers; it occasionally produces spherical, 14–22 mm in diameter, red–orange hips.
Our product is a rose grown with unique pharmaROSA® cultivation technology!
2 litre, own-root, potted rose.
With shoots appropriate to the season.
With roots thoroughly interwoven through the growing medium.
Quality in line with the requirements of the E.N.A. (European Nurserystock Association).
In unique packaging that prevents damage.
Can be planted during frost-free periods.
True-to-type rose plant with an individual identifier.
The pharmaROSA® own-root potted rose is a well-rooted plant that supports reliable establishment when planted and cared for properly, so it can be planted whenever the soil is not frozen.
Stock: several varieties and several stages of development in a short stock section.Shoot system: intensive growth of fresh basal shoots on a young plant.Root system: presentation of the strong root system interwoven through the growing medium with the pot removed.Balance: mature plant where the development of the root system and the shoots is in harmony.
Information about the videos
The video series is not a “seasonal showcase”, but makes the essence of pharmaROSA® own-root production tangible: how the plant is built, what the root system is like and how the shoots renew themselves. The footage was therefore taken at different times, showing plants at different stages of development, so mixed leaf coverage or differing growth stages may appear in the videos. This is not a “sample” of the batch delivered, but an illustration of how the technology works. The current condition of the rose available to order — typical of the given period and similar to what you can expect to receive in the parcel — is shown at the top of the product page.
Pages for private customers Garden roses for the family garden, with minimal care → ORIGINAL® Premium garden roses – instant impact, a truly showpiece garden → EXTRA® Pages for professionals and private customers Roses for public spaces – large areas, sustainable maintenance → NATURAL® Roses for projects – hedge and row planting, fast implementation → RAPID® For professional partners only Production – propagation material for garden roses, wholesale → NEONATAL®
Company details
PharmaRosa Ltd. Company registration number: 01-09-717479 VAT number: 13075314-2-43 Plant health registration no.: HU130721 Bank account (IBAN): HU85117631891388688400000000 BIC (SWIFT): OTPVHUHB Bank name: OTP Bank Nyrt.
