R. Centifolia, ‘Cristata’

Syn:  Crested Moss, Chapeau de Napoleon

 ARS Rating:  8.6

 Class:   Centifolia (ARS – Moss)

 Date:  1826 per Graham Stuart Thomas (ARS – 1827)

 Breeder:  Vibert, France

 Blooms:  Very double, cabbage-like blossoms. 

 Bloom Frequency:  Once blooming in spring.

 Color:  Rich, medium pink.

Fragrance:  Very fragrant

Thorns:  Fairly thorny with a mixture of prickles.

Approximate Height:  5’ by 4’

History:  Said to have been found in 1820 growing out of a crevice of an old wall at Fribourg in Switzerland, and may have been a chance seedling of R. centifolia.  Some accounts place this wall at a Convent in Fribourg.

 Description and Care:  The wings of the calyx are crested and enlarged to a great extent so that the buds are almost enveloped in greenery.  Grey-green foliage.  Forms a graceful shrub.  Flexible canes, very well suited to pegging or growing on a pillar. 

 I have never sprayed this rose and it never has any disease problems.  It does not require pruning unless you need to do so to keep it within bounds.  If you must prune it, do so right after flowering.

 Comments:  Although sometimes classified as a Moss rose, this is a parallel sport to the Mosses.  This is an extremely easy rose to grow and well suited to organic gardening methods.