REINE DES VIOLETTES – purple historic perpetual-flowering hybrid rose - Mallet
If You dream of a romantic, manageable rose that simply settles in and performs, Reine des Violettes is a classic choice that fits effortlessly into Irish family gardens. Its velvety purple blooms open in generous flushes, filling the air with a rich, old-rose fragrance that You will notice as soon as You step outside. This historic hybrid perpetual forms an elegant, arching shrub that is almost thornless, making it easier to live with alongside paths and small front borders. As an own-root plant in the pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2‑litre pot, it is prepared for the kind of cool, damp weather and heavy soil where good drainage still matters. Once planted, it gradually builds a stable framework of growth, so You can enjoy its long life and reliable garden presence without fussy techniques or complex pruning. Give it reasonable moisture and partial shade, and it rewards You with refined colour that holds well, especially where sunlight is gentle and afternoon heat is filtered. Over time, its classic character and generous flowering make Your garden feel more established and welcoming, blending easily with cottage-style perennials and simple, easy-care planting.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden focal shrub near the entrance |
Upright, arching growth to about 150–220 cm creates a graceful, vertical accent that frames doors or bay windows without overwhelming a typical Irish front garden, giving year‑round structure for homeowners |
| Romantic cottage-style flowerbed |
Large, very double rosette blooms in deep velvety violet-purple with silvery-lilac highlights bring that “old garden” romance, pairing beautifully with soft perennials for those who love traditional charm beginners |
| Lightly shaded side border beside the house |
Tolerates partial shade, so it flowers and colours well where the house casts shade for part of the day, making use of awkward side passages that often stay underused by families |
| Low-maintenance, long-lived specimen in a mixed bed |
As an own-root heritage shrub, it gradually forms its permanent framework and regenerates from the base, supporting a long lifespan with steady ornamental value for relaxed gardeners |
| Strongly scented seating area or patio edge |
Very strongly scented, sweet rose-and-violet perfume carries on still evenings, so a single shrub close to a bench or terrace creates a richly fragrant corner appreciated by evening‑garden visitors |
| Family-friendly planting near paths and play areas |
Almost thornless shoots reduce the risk of scratches along paths, driveways or near lawn edges, so You can enjoy a full shrub rose without worrying as much about children and pets parents |
| Historic-style rose and perennial combination border |
Receives the RHS Award of Garden Merit, signalling reliable performance and garden-worthiness, making it a safe choice when You want heritage character without experimental plant trials collectors |
| Large container on a sheltered urban patio |
Suited to a 40–50 litre container with good compost and drainage, where its upright, arching habit and remontant flowering give long-season colour even in wet, windy conditions common in Atlantic-influenced areas balcony-owners |
Decorating ideas
- Cottage gateway welcome – Plant as a pair flanking a front gate, underplanted with lavender and hardy geraniums for a softly scented, country-style entrance – ideal for homeowners wanting instant character
- Evening fragrance nook – Place near a bench with companions like white hydrangeas and hostas to catch the strong perfume at dusk – perfect for those who relax outdoors after work
- Romantic purple border – Combine with catmint, threadleaf coreopsis and low grasses to echo the violet blooms and silvery foliage tones – suited to gardeners aiming for a gently flowing planting
- Historic feature bed – Use as the centrepiece in a small circular bed edged with box or thyme, creating a period feel that suits older houses and cottages – great for lovers of heritage gardens
- Urban patio statement – Grow in a 40–50 litre pot with trailing rosemary and seasonal bedding for colour around a seating area – ideal for busy urban residents seeking easy elegance
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Reine des Violettes is a historic hybrid perpetual from the Heritage rose collection; commercial type historical rose, with the American Rose Society exhibition name Reine des Violettes and unregistered cultivar status. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Mille-Mallet in France around 1860, probably from ‘Pope Pius IX’ on its own roots; introduced as a classic nineteenth‑century garden rose and maintained in commerce as a heritage shrub. |
| Awards and recognitions |
Holds the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit (AGM), confirming dependable garden performance, ornamental value and relative ease of cultivation under typical temperate-climate conditions. |
| Growth and structure |
Forms an upright shrub 150–220 cm tall and 120–200 cm wide, with arching, slightly cascading shoots; foliage moderately dense, grey-green and slightly glaucous, with almost thornless canes for easier handling. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very double rosette blooms, typically more than 40 petals, borne mainly in clusters; remontant flowering pattern with an abundant second flush that extends the display through the main season. |
| Colour and phenology |
Deep velvety violet-purple with rosy and silvery-lilac tones; buds dark and velvety, opening to rich violet-lilac, then lightening at the petal edges in strong sun while keeping deeper colour in cooler, semi-shaded positions. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strongly scented hybrid perpetual rose with a sweet, classic rose fragrance enriched by violet notes; the perfume is noticeable from a distance and especially effective near paths, doors and seating areas. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Because of its very double flower form, rose hip set is sparse or absent; any hips formed are small, generally 0–6 mm in diameter, and not a significant ornamental feature compared with the blooms. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to around −32 to −29 °C (USDA 4b, RHS H7), with moderate overall disease resistance; resistant to black spot and powdery mildew, but rust can appear, so occasional monitoring and treatment may be useful. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in fertile, well-drained soil with regular watering and some afternoon shade; suitable as a specimen, in flowerbeds, parks and for cutting, with moderate maintenance including deadheading and light training of arching shoots. |
Reine des Violettes offers fragrant, velvety purple blooms, almost thornless arching growth and long-lived, own-root reliability, making it an easy, rewarding choice if You would like a classic rose that simply fits into Your garden.
