Petal Pals
old garden · 1839
Alain Blanchard
Rosa gallica 'Alain Blanchard'
120 - 150 cm (4 - 5 ft)
Height
Once
Blooming
Full sun
Light
4–8
Zone
Plant & Flower Traits
Rose type
old garden
Bloom size
Medium to large (4 - 7 cm)
Bloom habit
Large, semi-double flat flowers borne in small clusters of 3 to 7.
Petal count
5-20 petals (single to semi-double)
Flowering
once blooming
Habit
bushy
Color
purple
Fragrance
strong
Foliage
Olive-green
Foliage surface
Matte, wrinkled
Fragrance Notes
Spicy, fruity, Old Rose fragrance.
Color Description
Deep purple-crimson petals mottled and spotted with lighter crimson red, featuring a prominent cluster of golden stamens; fades to a purple-gray with age.
🌱 Growth & Garden Habits
Light
Full sun
Height
120 - 150 cm (4 - 5 ft)
Spread
90 - 120 cm (3 - 4 ft)
Soil
Grows well in most soil types including chalk, clay, loam, and sand; prefers fertile, well-drained conditions.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4–8
Disease Resistance
Moderate to good resistance to black spot, powdery mildew, and rust.
🌿 Care Guide
Watering
Regular watering to maintain moist, well-drained soil; avoids waterlogging but appreciates consistent moisture during the growing season.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced rose fertilizer in early spring and again after the first bloom cycle to support overall vigor and plant health.
Pruning
Prune after the once-yearly flowering has finished. Remove dead, diseased, or old canes and shape as required to maintain a bushy form.
Pests & Diseases
Generally healthy but can be susceptible to aphids; deer may browse the foliage.
🧬 Pedigree
Probable hybrid of Rosa centifolia × Rosa gallica.
🏆 Awards & Recognition
Dowager Rose Queen (Seattle Rose Society 1999, Grosse Pointe Rose Society 2001).