QUEEN OF BOURBONS – pink historical Bourbon rose – Mauget
QUEEN OF BOURBONS brings a sense of romance to an everyday family garden, combining classic Bourbon elegance with modern ease of care. Its upright, well-branched habit forms a generous, leafy structure that suits cottage-style borders, mixed hedges or a single, storybook specimen. Once-blooming but gloriously abundant, it covers itself in mid-pink, cupped flowers with a strong, old-rose fragrance that makes afternoon tea beneath an arbour feel instantly more cosy. This own-root shrub is bred for longevity, quietly building a resilient framework over time for dependable, low-intervention beauty. It copes well with exposed sites where wind and rain can flatten lesser roses, and is happy in typical British conditions, including cooler, clay-based soils when drainage is improved. Planted as an established 2‑litre own-root rose, it settles in quickly and, with Year 1 focusing on roots, Year 2 on leafy shoots and Year 3 revealing its full ornamental value, it matures into a reassuring, long-lived presence in your cottage-style garden borders.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Romantic specimen near a seating area |
Planted as a single shrub beside a bench or terrace, QUEEN OF BOURBONS makes the most of its strong old-rose scent and abundant once-a-year display. The upright habit and dense foliage frame small spaces beautifully with minimal shaping. Perfect for beginners. |
| Traditional cottage-garden border |
Its tall, upright form and leafy structure give reliable height at the back or middle of a mixed border, pairing well with perennials and herbs. The once-a-season flush reads as a classic summer highlight, echoing period cottage gardens. Ideal for cottage-lovers. |
| Loose flowering hedge along a path or boundary |
Recommended hedge spacings create a soft, semi-formal screen that flowers in a single, generous wave, then holds dark green foliage as a backdrop. Own-root growth ensures the hedge knits together steadily without complex pruning regimes. Suits homeowners. |
| Low-maintenance rose planting for busy households |
With good resistance to common rose diseases and only moderate pruning needs, this cultivar suits those who want traditional beauty without constant spraying or grooming. Own-root resilience supports recovery if neglected or cut back hard. Designed for time-poor. |
| Shadier or north-east facing garden spots |
Tolerant of partial shade, it can be used where many historic roses sulk, such as along a lightly shaded fence or beside taller shrubs. Flowering remains convincing where there is still decent light for part of the day. Helpful for urban-gardeners. |
| Exposed and breezy family gardens |
The sturdy, upright framework and dense foliage stand up well in typical British gusts, providing reliable structure where lighter shrubs can suffer, and coping reassuringly in showery, changeable weather near open, windswept boundaries. Reassuring for coastal-owners. |
| Traditional park-style or large family lawn specimen |
Given space, it forms a broad, well-furnished shrub that acts as a soft focal point rising from turf or gravel. Simple annual tidying keeps the outline pleasing while its hardy root system supports long life in one position. Suitable for classic-stylists. |
| Large container on terrace or courtyard (40–50 L+) |
In a generously sized container of at least 40–50 litres, with good drainage, this rose can bring historic character to paved spaces. Own-root planting allows periodic rejuvenation pruning without fear of losing the cultivar. Best choice for balcony-owners. |
Styling ideas
- ARBOR-RETREAT – Train QUEEN OF BOURBONS loosely over an arch by a seating nook, underplant with lavender and thyme for fragrance layers – for contemplative garden readers.
- HERITAGE-HEDGE – Create a loose hedge along a front garden path, interspersing shrubs with Cornus alba ‘Spaethii’ to contrast pink blooms with gold-variegated stems – for lovers of period kerb appeal.
- KITCHEN-BORDER – Position at the back of a kitchen garden bed, with Salvia nemorosa and culinary herbs in front to blend ornament and utility – for home cooks who value charm.
- SHADE-ALLY – Use in a lightly shaded side garden with ferns and pale foxgloves so the mid-pink flowers glow against darker foliage – for owners of awkward side plots.
- POT-PARLOUR – Grow in a 50‑litre terracotta pot on a terrace, pairing with Helichrysum italicum and soft grasses to soften hard surfaces – for terrace and courtyard dwellers.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
QUEEN OF BOURBONS, historic Bourbon rose; current trade name: Queen of Bourbons Historic rose Mauget; unregistered cultivar used under traditional exhibition name. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bourbon rose raised in France around 1834 by Mauget, thought to be a seedling of ‘Rose Edouard’; introduced by Exotic Nursery, Australia, in 1851, of uncertain formal parentage. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Vigorous, upright shrub 150–260 cm high and 110–200 cm wide, moderately thorny with dense, dark green, slightly glossy foliage forming a substantial, leafy framework over time. |
| Flower morphology |
Semi-double, cupped blooms of medium size (approximately 4–7 cm), carried in clusters on branching stems; typically once-blooming with a single, concentrated summer flowering period. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Fresh mid-pink with a slight mauve undertone; outer petals deeper, inner paler, gradually lightening so margins become almost cream before petals drop, giving a soft, vintage effect. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, rich old-rose perfume with a full, classic character; scent intensity is a key ornamental feature, especially appreciated near paths, doors and seating where blooms can be enjoyed closely. |
| Hip characteristics |
May form occasional pear-shaped hips 15–25 mm in diameter, orange-red RHS 40A; overall fruiting level is low and not a dominant garden feature for this historic Bourbon cultivar. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated H7, hardy to approximately −26 to −23 °C and USDA zone 5b; good resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust, with moderate tolerance of heat and only moderate drought endurance. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to specimens, hedges, beds and park-style planting; plant at 125–210 cm spacing depending on use, in well-drained soil with sun or light shade, keeping moisture steady during establishment. |
QUEEN OF BOURBONS offers a strongly scented, once-blooming summer show on a tall, leafy framework, with own-root durability for long, low-maintenance service in a traditional family garden; consider it if you enjoy romantic cottage style.
