Rosa x sempervirens 'Adélaïde d’Orléans' - Rambling Rose

The 'Adelaide d'Orleans Rose is a recognisable climbing rose thanks to its unique, flexible and relaxed habit, which gives it an inimitable charm. It is also easily identified by its late but remarkably abundant flowering in mid-June, with semi-double roses of medium size, delicately tinged with pink on a creamy white background and a sweet scent of primrose. They mix with pink buds on their branches, perfectly highlighted by very dark green, evergreen foliage under most climates. This variety, derived from Rosa sempervirens, is not the hardiest, but it is undemanding and truly graceful when guided on an arch or pergola.

This large rose is an old cultivar, commercialised since 1826, descended from Rosa chinensis and the evergreen rose (Rosa sempervirens). The latter is native to southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor. Roses derived from sempervirens are generally evergreen, vigorous (and sometimes a little frost-sensitive), and tolerate dry soils, hot climates, and the partial shade of woodlands. 'Adelaide d'Orleans' was born in the hands of Jacques, the head gardener of the Duke of Orleans (later known as Louis Philippe), and the numerous qualities with which it was endowed have allowed it to age without a wrinkle. It forms a vigorous rambler that will easily reach 4 to 5m (16ft) in height with a spread of 2 to 3m (7 to 10ft). Its long stems are very flexible, adorned with a few small, curved prickles, and covered with abundant and very healthy foliage of a shiny dark green colour. The flowers of this variety emerge from very pretty pink buds. They form abundantly, from mid-June for 3 weeks, hiding all the foliage. There is sometimes a very slight autumnal reblooming. The buds open into semi-double flowers, 6 cm (2in) in diameter, slightly inclined, reminiscent of cherry blossoms. Delicious and charming, they exhale a sweet, floral and fresh fragrance. The small red-orange fruits that delight birds in the winter are fleshy false fruits called hips. They contain a large quantity of achenes, each with a single seed.

'Adelaide d'Orleans' is a carefree and beautiful rose that thrives everywhere. It is so undemanding that it accepts rather dry soils in summer and performs very well in partial shade, especially in warmer areas. If allowed to grow freely, it will become almost as wide as it is tall, displaying the exuberance of its growth and extraordinary flowering. Like no other liana, it looks slightly abandoned to an arch planted above a pathway or in the background of overly strict flowerbeds. This plant makes for a great companion to both dead and living trees, as well as uncertain fences and unsightly buildings or sheds. It adds a charming touch to any area it's planted in. As it only blooms once, it can be paired with other plants like viticella Purpurea Plena or texensis Princess Kate clematis, which will take over and tolerate relatively dry soils if they are deep enough.