Probably my greatest gardening passion is for Old Garden or Antique Roses, Over the years, I have grown several varieties of Old Garden Roses, but this year, I will add Archduke Charles to my collection.

My Archduke Charles was delivered on February 12, and to assist its transition, it had been sevely shorn. I placed it beneath a grow light, and by February 23, the foliage had regrown. More surprisingly, it was coverd with buds. I am watching this gem closely to see when its first blooms will appear. After my last frost date, I’ll plant this beauty outside,

Archduke Charles
Image Credit: Antique Rose Emporium
Introduced Prior to 1837

3′ – 5′ Tall

Like another of my favorite Old Gadren Roses Mutablis, Archduke Charles has more than one color blooming simultaneously on its bush. Like almost all Old Garden Roses, Archduke Charles is highly resistant to disease and it has very few thorns.

“Thomas Rivers called ‘Archduke Charles’ “changeable as the chameleon”. The full, very shapely flowers open with crimson outer petals and neat pink centers, then darken to solid crimson. The heat of the sun speeds the process: what appears to be a bi-color hedge in spring and fall will be all red roses in mid-summer. The neat, erect bush and constant bloom help make this one of our most popular varieties.” Antique Rose Emporium