Deep, velvety crimson-purple base colour with subtle lilac undertones. Slight wine-red tones appear in darker lighting conditions. - historic, gallica rose - strong, far-scented rose - full, classic gallica scent
– XL, very double rosette blooms in clusters
– Deep crimson‑purple colour with lilac undertones
– Strong, far‑scented classic gallica fragrance
– Robust winter hardiness down to –32 °C
– Historic 18th‑century variety with RHS AGM Special feature: Forms showy orange‑red hips for autumn interest.
Long-lasting plant – Sustainable gardenscape
pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre own-root potted rose
23,30 €
5(7095)
CHARLES DE MILLS – purple-lilac historic Gallica rose
CHARLES DE MILLS is a romantic heritage rose for You if You love richly petalled, old-fashioned blooms but prefer planting that stays pleasantly manageable in an average Irish garden. This historic Gallica forms a dense, upright shrub that naturally keeps a tidy outline, suiting front gardens and cottage-style borders where You want structure without constant clipping. Its once-a-year summer flowering is a spectacular event, covered in extra-large, rosette blooms of deep crimson-purple with subtle lilac tones, ideal for luxurious cut flowers. The strong, classic gallica fragrance carries on still evenings, creating a traditional rose garden feel around the home. Own-root plants like this settle in for the long term, building a resilient framework that supports a genuinely long-lived planting. In typical Irish conditions it copes well, provided soil is prepared to avoid problems with persistent wet ground on heavier clays. Once established, its medium maintenance needs remain steady, with basic pruning and occasional plant protection usually enough for long-lasting ornamental value. Expect a gradual development: first year mainly rooting, second year stronger shoots, and by the third year the full spectacle of this historic rose in bloom.
Closed bud of Charles de Mills, showing its dark crimson-purple colouring.
Charles de Mills in full bloom with deep crimson-purple, very double Gallica flowers.
Use cases
Target area
Reason
Front garden feature shrub
Forms a dense, upright bush that naturally holds a neat outline, giving a composed look beside paths or driveways without fussy shaping; ideal if You want a structured, romantic focal point that stays relatively compact for beginners
Cottage-style mixed border
The velvety crimson-purple rosette blooms and matt mid-green foliage blend beautifully with perennials and herbs, fitting Irish cottage-garden styles while keeping care at a moderate level that suits relaxed, low-fuss gardeners such as the busy
Seasonal flowering “event” bed
Its single, abundant summer flush creates a dramatic, short-season display; plant 1–5 together for a rich block of colour and fragrance that becomes a highlight of the year and then settles back into unobtrusive greenery, suiting those who plan their garden moments like enthusiasts
Traditional rose and lavender strip
Pairs well with edging plants like lavender or woolly lamb’s-ear, whose foliage and form contrast the large, very double flowers, giving a classic look along paths or front boundaries with straightforward maintenance for homeowners
Low front boundary or rose hedge
Regular spacing creates a semi-formal hedge, the dense foliage giving cover for much of the year, and a spectacular flowering screen in summer; its once-blooming habit keeps pruning predictable for people who want simple, repeatable tasks as novices
Highlight plant near seating area
The strong, far-scented gallica perfume is best enjoyed close-up, so one or a small group near a bench or terrace lets You appreciate evening fragrance without extra work beyond seasonal pruning, suiting scent-loving garden visitors
Cut-flower corner in family gardens
Extra-large, very double blooms on cluster stems lend themselves to cutting for the house; planting a small group in an accessible bed gives reliable summer bouquets while the shrub remains robust over years, rewarding patient, occasional-cutting gardeners
Well-drained clay or chalky sites
As a hardy, own-root shrub rose it adapts well once established, provided You improve drainage in heavier soils so it is not left standing in water in prolonged wet spells, making it suitable for many Irish gardens managed by pragmatic owners
Decorating ideas
COTTAGE GATEWAY – Plant a pair flanking a front gate with woolly lamb’s-ear and soft geraniums for a romantic country welcome – perfect for rural cottage owners seeking a nostalgic focal point.
LAVENDER RIBBON – Line a sunny front path with CHARLES DE MILLS spaced as individual shrubs, underplanted with lavender or catmint to soften the edges – ideal for homeowners who like structure with low, fragrant upkeep.
SCENTED SEAT – Place one or two near a bench, backed by hydrangeas for summer volume, so You enjoy the strong gallica perfume during evening relaxation – good for busy families wanting a simple “sit and enjoy” corner.
HERITAGE CLUSTER – Group 3–5 plants in a small bed as a once-a-year flowering spectacle, edged with box or dwarf rosemary – suited to enthusiasts who enjoy a dramatic seasonal display without complex rose collections.
PURPLE HEDGELET – Form a low, informal hedge along a boundary, interplanted with clematis ‘Snow Queen’ weaving through for contrasting white flowers – ideal for those wanting gentle screening with classic old-rose charm.
Technical cultivar profile
Property
Data
Name and registration
CHARLES DE MILLS, heritage Gallica rose from the Historical rose group; ARS exhibition name Charles de Mills; cultivar name meaning: a male given name; collection: Heritage rose.
Origin and breeding
Historic Gallica rose of unknown parentage and breeder; bred in the Netherlands around 1786 and introduced circa 1790; typical of old European Provins and Gallica roses used in traditional gardens.
Awards and recognitions
Holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit (1993), indicating reliable garden performance, stable ornamental value and dependable behaviour under average conditions when grown with basic good practice.
Growth and structure
Medium shrub rose with upright habit, 120–180 cm high and wide; dense, matt mid-green foliage and slightly thorny stems; forms a solid, leafy framework suitable for hedging, beds and specimen use.
Flower morphology
Very double rosette blooms with 40+ petals, extra-large size and cluster-flowered arrangement; non-remontant, producing one main flowering flush, with spent blooms tending to remain and form hips if not deadheaded.
Colour and phenology
Deep, velvety crimson-purple with lilac undertones; dark buds open to rich purple blooms that gradually lighten with a mauve-silver edge; colour holds well, fading slightly more in strong sun towards the end of flowering.
Fragrance and aroma
Strong, far-scented classic Gallica perfume with traditional rose character; fragrance is pronounced around the plant, especially in still, mild weather, making it a good choice for seating areas and near-path placements.
Rose hip characteristics
Moderately abundant spherical orange-red hips, approximately 9–15 mm in diameter; develop where flowers are not removed, adding autumn interest and additional seasonal texture to the shrub.
Resistance and hardiness
Very hardy shrub rose, RHS H7, USDA zone 4b, tolerating around -32 to -29 °C; disease resistance medium to mildew, black spot and rust, so occasional plant protection may be helpful in humid seasons.
Horticultural recommendations
Recommended for beds, low hedges, specimen use, parks and cutting; medium maintenance with basic pruning, improved drainage on heavy soils and regular watering in dry spells; tolerates partial shade but flowers best with good light.
CHARLES DE MILLS offers spectacular once-a-year blooms, strong classic fragrance and a long-lived own-root shrub structure that settles reliably into family gardens, so You can choose a characterful heritage rose with confidence.
Detailed product attributes
Product Identification Data
Product Name:
CHARLES DE MILLS – purple-lilac historic Gallica rose
Product Type:
pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL - 2-litre own-root potted rose
Flower Colour:
Deep, velvety crimson-purple base colour with subtle lilac undertones. Slight wine-red tones appear in darker lighting conditions.
Closed Bud:
Dark crimson purple, shading to nearly black towards the tip.
Freshly Opened Flower:
Deep crimson mid‑tone, with a more vivid purplish sheen on the inner petal edges.
Full Bloom:
Uniform, deep crimson-purple surface with a slightly lighter crimson shade in the centre.
Pre-Fading Flower:
Fading crimson with a subtle mauve‑silver sheen on the petal edges.
Colour Fading Description:
A deep, velvety crimson‑purple slightly lightens by the end of opening, with a mauve-silvery tone appearing along the petal edges; in strong sunlight it fades a little further.
Pollinator Attraction:
The very double flower form limits pollinators’ access to the stamens and thus reduces attractiveness, although butterflies may appear occasionally.
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.
