Petal Pals
old garden · 1500
Great White Rose, Jacobite Rose, Cheshire Rose, White Rose of York, Great Double White
Rosa x alba 'Alba Maxima'
6-8 feet
Height
Once
Blooming
Shade OK
Light
3–9
Zone
Plant & Flower Traits
Rose type
old garden
Bloom size
2.5-3.5 inches
Bloom habit
Produced in small clusters of 3 to 8 flowers.
Petal count
Very double (typically 50+ petals, some sources cite up to 200)
Flowering
once blooming
Habit
upright
Color
white
Fragrance
very strong
Foliage
Grey-green to blue-green
Foliage surface
Matte and dense
Fragrance Notes
A rich, heady Old Rose fragrance with distinct notes of citrus.
Color Description
Blooms are blush-tinted or creamy in the bud, opening to a pure creamy-white with a slightly darker center.
🌱 Growth & Garden Habits
Light
Shade tolerant
Height
6-8 feet
Spread
4-6 feet
Soil
Thrives in rich, well-drained soil, but is highly adaptable to various soil types including chalky and poor soils.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3–9
Disease Resistance
High
🌿 Care Guide
Watering
Regular watering is preferred, though it is notably drought tolerant once established and can survive in difficult conditions.
Fertilizer
Responds well to standard rose fertilization in spring, though it is known to be a great survivor even in poor soils.
Pruning
Minimal pruning is required; it is best left unpruned to allow the plant to develop its natural fountain-like shrub form. Prune only to remove dead or diseased wood after flowering.
Pests & Diseases
Excellent disease resistance; generally healthy, though it may occasionally be susceptible to rust in certain conditions.
🧬 Pedigree
Naturally occurring hybrid, likely Rosa gallica x Rosa canina
🏆 Awards & Recognition
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award of Garden Merit (1993)