How to Grow Gallica Rose Officinalis

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Gallica Rose Officinalis

Rosa gallica var. officinalis

shrub

Gallica Rose Officinalis is a historic damask-gallica hybrid rose known for its deeply fragrant, semi-double crimson flowers with golden stamens. This ancient variety has been cultivated for centuries and is prized for both ornamental and medicinal purposes. It is a compact, bushy shrub that produces abundant blooms in early summer.

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Example Gallica Rose Officinalis timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Gallica Rose Officinalis
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Gallica Rose Officinalis
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Gallica Rose Officinalis dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily for best blooming

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Water: Moderate watering; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water at base in morning to reduce fungal issues. Drought-tolerant once established.

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Spacing: 36 inches

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Days to maturity: Established blooms in year 2-3 after planting

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Planting depth: Plant bare-root roses with graft union 1-2 inches below soil surface in cold climates; graft union at or slightly above soil in warm climates

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, moderately fertile

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Bone meal at planting

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-8, hardy and cold-tolerant

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

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Growth Stages

Dormancy/Establishment

3-4 months

Bare-root canes with minimal foliage; plant appears inactive in late fall through early spring

Plant in late fall or early spring. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Apply mulch around base, keeping 4-6 inches clear of canes. Protect from harsh winter winds in exposed locations.

Spring Growth

4-6 weeks

New reddish shoots emerge from canes; leaves unfurl in a bronze or red tint before turning green

Remove winter mulch gradually as temperatures warm. Prune dead or damaged canes. Apply balanced fertilizer. Monitor for aphids as tender growth emerges.

Vegetative/Budding

6-8 weeks

Lush green foliage develops; flower buds form along stems. Plant grows to mature size (3-4 feet tall and wide)

Maintain consistent moisture. Deadhead spent flowers if any appear out of season. Thin crowded canes for air circulation. Apply rose fungicide preventatively if powdery mildew appears.

Flowering

3-6 weeks

Abundant semi-double crimson flowers with golden stamens bloom, releasing intense fragrance. Peak bloom occurs in early to mid-summer

Enjoy blooms; deadhead spent flowers to encourage repeat blooming (though this is primarily a once-blooming variety). Provide afternoon shade in hot climates. Keep well-watered during bloom period.

Post-Bloom/Dormancy Prep

4-6 months

Flowering subsides; foliage remains green through summer and fall. Plant stores energy for next season

Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; apply potassium to harden stems. Deadhead seed hips if wanting repeat flowers, or leave hips for wildlife. Begin reducing water in fall. Apply winter mulch in late fall.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lavender Catmint (Nepeta) Salvia Alliums Foxgloves Delphiniums Clematis Honeysuckle

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut (juglans nigra) Fennel Garlic and onions (in very close proximity)

Common Pests

Spray with water jet to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil in early morning. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
No cure; remove and destroy affected plants. Control spider mites with sulfur spray or miticide.
Remove infected leaves; ensure air circulation. Apply sulfur or copper fungicide preventatively. Water at base only.
Increase air circulation; apply sulfur powder or potassium bicarbonate spray. Avoid overhead watering.
Hand-pick in early morning or use Japanese beetle traps away from plants. Spray neem oil on foliage.

Uses

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Rose water and culinary petals

Culinary

Gallica rose petals are edible and can be used fresh in salads, crystallized as garnishes, or dried for tea. Rose water distilled from these flowers is a traditional ingredient in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines, used in desserts, beverages, and savory dishes. [source]

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Traditional herbal medicine

Medicinal

Historically valued in European herbalism for mild astringent properties. Rose petals were traditionally brewed as tea or made into infusions believed to support digestive comfort and skin health, though modern evidence is limited. [source]

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Perfume and fragrance production

Craft

Gallica Rose Officinalis is a classic ingredient in perfumery, with its intensely fragrant flowers used in high-end rose oils, absolutes, and attars. The essential oil extraction has been practiced since medieval times. [source]

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Dried flowers and potpourri

Household

Petals dry beautifully and retain fragrance for months, making them ideal for dried flower arrangements, sachets, and homemade potpourri. Petals can also be used in soap-making and natural cosmetics. [source]

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Pollinator and wildlife support

Wildlife

The abundant golden stamens and nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Hips that develop if flowers are left unpruned provide food for birds in fall and winter. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Flowers are best harvested in early morning after dew dries but before heat intensifies fragrance loss. Cut stems just above an outward-facing leaf node at 45° angle. Harvest petals for drying or culinary use at peak bloom when petals are fully open but not falling. For medicinal/rose water production, harvest flowers when fully fragrant, before petal drop.

Fun Facts

🌱 Gallica Rose Officinalis is one of the oldest cultivated roses, with evidence of cultivation dating back to ancient Persia and medieval Europe. It was the national rose of France and featured prominently in the heraldic Wars of the Roses.
🌱 This variety was historically used to make 'apothecary's rose' medicine and is mentioned in medieval herbals as a remedy for various ailments. Its petals were so valued that they were often dried and traded as a spice commodity.
🌱 The rose's crimson color comes from natural anthocyanin pigments, and the golden stamens make it visually distinctive among historic rose varieties. Its intense fragrance is so strong that a single blooming plant can perfume an entire garden.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Full Sun Hybrid Mulch pH

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