Petal Pals
old garden · 1859
Halfeti Rose (Black Rose of Halfeti, Karagül)
Rosa chinensis 'Louis XIV'
90 cm - 150 cm
Height
Repeat
Blooming
Full sun
Light
7–10
Zone
Plant & Flower Traits
Rose type
old garden
Bloom size
8 cm - 10 cm
Bloom habit
Large, solitary blooms on sturdy stems.
Petal count
25-30
Flowering
repeat blooming
Habit
bushy
Color
red
Fragrance
very strong
Foliage
Dark green with reddish tints on new growth.
Foliage surface
Semi-glossy
Fragrance Notes
A rich, complex profile with deep damask rose, spicy resins, and earthy notes often described as oud-like or balsamic.
Color Description
Extremely dark crimson to deep burgundy that appears jet black during the bud stage and in the intense summer heat.
🌱 Growth & Garden Habits
Light
Full sun
Height
90 cm - 150 cm
Spread
60 cm - 90 cm
Soil
Well-draining, mineral-rich alluvial soil with high iron content and a specific pH level found in the Euphrates basin.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7–10
Disease Resistance
Moderate; highly dependent on specific local terroir for health and color.
🌿 Care Guide
Watering
Requires consistent moisture with specific mineral-rich groundwater (historically fed by the Euphrates river) to maintain petal pigmentation.
Fertilizer
Balanced rose fertilizer with additional mineral supplements (iron) to support the deep anthocyanin production.
Pruning
Rejuvenation pruning is typically performed in late winter or early spring to encourage new flowering wood.
Pests & Diseases
Generally resilient in its native microclimate; susceptible to common rose pests like aphids and powdery mildew in high humidity.
🧬 Pedigree
Rosa x odorata (Genetically identical or closely related to the cultivar 'Louis XIV').
🏆 Awards & Recognition
Geographically Registered Product of Turkey (2021); Cittaslow Heritage recognition.