Apothecary Rose Plant

The Apothecary Rose Plant brings one of Europe’s oldest cultivated roses into the garden, pairing exquisite fragrance with centuries of history.

Rosa gallica ‘Officinalis’, the botanical name for this historic Gallica rose, delighted medieval gardeners and apothecaries. People prepared its petals as rosewater, syrups, conserves, ointments, and fragrant remedies. The name ‘Officinalis’ refers to the medicinal storeroom, where apothecaries kept useful herbs and flowers.

People in Provins, France, cultivated the rose for medicinal, culinary, and cosmetic purposes during the Middle Ages. According to tradition, Crusaders brought it to France. The House of Lancaster later adopted it as their red rose badge, giving it the enduring name Red Rose of Lancaster.

In late spring to early summer, the compact shrub carries richly fragrant, semi-double flowers in vivid rosy, crimson to magenta. Golden stamens glow at each centre, creating an informal, old-world appearance unlike the tightly formed blooms of many modern roses. The plant flowers once a year, and after blooming, it may produce small orange-red hips.

Arching, slightly suckering stems gradually form a handsome thicket approximately 90 cm to 1.5 m high and around 1 m wide. Grey-green foliage provides a quiet setting for the saturated flowers.

Choose a protected position in full sun with fertile, loamy, well-drained soil. This deciduous shrub tolerates frost well but performs best when you provide reliable moisture and protect it from prolonged drought. Allow room for air circulation and its naturally spreading growth.

Plant it in a heritage garden, fragrant border, cottage garden or dedicated apothecary bed. Its perfume pairs beautifully with the evening fragrance of Rangoon Creeper, another memorable plant from our collection. Beyond ornament, you can gather unsprayed petals for potpourri, floral crafts, or culinary preparations, as long as you identify them correctly and grow them without chemicals unsuitable for edible crops.