Petal Pals
old garden · 1855
Alfred de Dalmas
Rosa 'Alfred de Dalmas'
80 cm to 120 cm (2.5 to 4 feet)
Height
Repeat
Blooming
Part shade
Light
5–10
Zone
Plant & Flower Traits
Rose type
old garden
Bloom size
Medium, approximately 8 cm (3.25 inches) in diameter
Bloom habit
Clusters of cupped, sometimes quartered, double flowers with distinct green-brown mossy buds.
Petal count
25 to 35 petals (semi-double to double)
Flowering
repeat blooming
Habit
compact
Color
blush
Fragrance
strong
Foliage
Pale green to mid-green
Foliage surface
Lush, spoon-shaped, and matte
Fragrance Notes
Sweetly fragrant with a fruity perfume; the mossy sepals and stems emit a resinous, balsamic, or clove-like scent when touched.
Color Description
Soft blush-pink flowers that fade to creamy white as they mature, often revealing golden stamens at the center.
🌱 Growth & Garden Habits
Light
Partial shade
Height
80 cm to 120 cm (2.5 to 4 feet)
Spread
60 cm to 90 cm (2 to 3 feet)
Soil
Thrives in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil; adaptable to poorer soils and chalky conditions.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5–10
Disease Resistance
Moderate to good; requires good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.
🌿 Care Guide
Watering
Regular watering required, typically 1 to 2 inches per week; ensure soil remains moist but well-drained, and water deeply during dry summer spells.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced rose fertilizer in late March and again in mid-July to support its repeat-flowering habit.
Pruning
Light pruning in late winter or early spring (March); remove dead, diseased, or crossing wood and lightly shape to maintain its compact form.
Pests & Diseases
Susceptible to common rose issues including black spot, powdery mildew, rust, and aphids; may also be prone to honey fungus and flower balling in wet weather.
🧬 Pedigree
Unknown; likely includes Autumn Damask (Rosa damascena bifera) background.
🏆 Awards & Recognition
None