Rosa centifolia, known as the Cabbage Rose or Provence Rose, grows to two metres in height and produces masses of wonderful, fragrant, globular shaped double flowers in white, pink and deep rose once per season.
It is a cross between Rosa gallica, R. moschata, R. canina and R. damascene and continues to be cultivated commercially today for its particular fragrance which is prized by the French perfume industry.
It is noted for its high petal count with some blooms having up to 100, all tightly packed and ruffled - hence the common name of Cabbage Rose.
Bred in Holland, it became a favourite of the Dutch and Flemish masters who chose to add it to their still-life compositions and hence promote its beauty around Europe.
These are roses that prefer a cooler climate and definitely do not like it to be hot and humid.
This is a large blooming rose and the heads can sometimes droop under their own weight so some support may be useful.