Village Maid has a distinctive play of colors: her creamy-white flowers are subtly striped with pink and light lilac. The pattern varies from flower to flower, so the shrub reveals something new throughout the blooming season. Her rounded, full flowers and powerful rose fragrance give her the romantic appeal of a classic garden rose.

This historic Centifolia rose is also known as ‘La Rubanée’ and ‘Rosa centifolia variegata’. Her exact date of origin is uncertain: growers cite various dates from the first half of the nineteenth century. What is certain is that she belongs to the old rose tradition from before the Belle Époque.

Village Maid represents the interest in distinctive floral patterns among historic roses. Her delicate stripes give the flowers an almost painted appearance. Combined with her full flower form, this makes her an appealing addition to a collection of old garden roses.

She blooms once each summer and forms a vigorous shrub with a loose, graceful growth habit. Give her a spot in a romantic border or cottage garden, where her light-colored flowers stand out beautifully among soft pink roses and airy perennials.

Plant Village Maid in a sunny, airy spot in fertile, well-drained soil. Prune if needed immediately after flowering and gradually remove a few older branches. This helps the shrub retain its natural shape and gives new growth enough room.

photo Petrovic Roses © 2013