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Rosa Gallica Var. Officinalis | Apothecarys Shrub Rose
Rosa Gallica Var. Officinalis | Apothecarys Shrub Rose

Rosa Gallica Var. Officinalis | Apothecarys Shrub Rose

SKU: PL30005424
4 litre | bare root potted
£28.99 £23.19
In stock (delivery in 3-4 working days)
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Overview

Also known as the 'Red Rose of Lancaster', this low branching, bushy shrub rose, with a distinctive 'old rose' scent, has semi-double, fuchsia-pink blooms with prominent, central yellow stamens. More tolerant of partial shade (and poorer soil conditions) than many of the other shrub roses, it flowers profusely in early summer, almost covering the dense, grey-green foliage. Suitable for pots, a mixed shrub border or growing as an informal hedge, 'The Apothecary's Rose' benefits from little to no thorns, and it's gorgeous flowers are followed by decorative, bottle-shaped, orange-red hips in autumn, which are a great addition to the winter garden. All our roses are grown in an open field and then dug up when the weather conditions are right in October or November. Some suppliers send out their roses as 'bare root' plants (ie without pots or compost), but we pot ours up as it helps to keep the roots hydrated and in good condition. As they are dormant throughout the winter, they will not produce any new roots until spring, so don't be surprised if the compost falls away from the roots when you take them out of their pots. The roses can be kept in their pots throughout the winter provided they are kept well fed and watered, however ideally they should be planted out as soon as possible. They will already have been cut back so no further pruning will be required, apart from snipping off any tips that have died back. Routine pruning can begin in late winter the year after planting.

Specifications

  • Position: full sun or partial shade
  • Soil: fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
  • Rate of growth: average
  • Flowering period: June to July
  • Hardiness: fully hardy
  • Toxicity: Fruits are ornamental, not to be eaten by humans or pets

Eventual height & spread

Eventual height and spread

Care guide

If planting in winter, choose a frost-free spell when the soil is not frozen. Roses are quite deep-rooted plants so dig a deep hole roughly twice as wide as the plant's roots and mix in a generous amount of composted organic matter. A top-dressing of a general purpose fertiliser can be worked into the surrounding soil and we also recommend using Rose Rootgrow at this stage to encourage better root development. This is particularly important when planting into a bed where roses have previously been grown as Rose Rootgrow is said to combat rose sickness (aka replant disease). Remove the plants from their pots and gently spread out the roots before placing them in the centre of the hole. Try to ensure that the 'bud union' (the point where the cultivated rose has been grafted onto the rootstock, and from where the shoots emerge) is at soil level. You can judge this quite easily by laying something flat, like a spade handle or bamboo cane, across the top of the hole. When they are at the right height, back-fill the hole, firming the soil down gently before watering the plant well. Water generously until well established, and apply a specialist rose fertiliser (following the manufacturer's instructions) each spring. They will also benefit from a generous mulch of composted farmyard manure in spring, but make sure this is kept away from the stems. In late winter, pop on a pair of tough gloves and remove dead, damaged, diseased or congested branches completely. Then cut back vigorous new shoots by up to a third, and shorten strong side shoots to within two or three buds of the main stems. If the centre of the shrub is becoming congested, remove one or two of the older stems to their base. After the first flush of flowers has faded, prompt deadheading will encourage more flowers to form.

Warning

Humans/Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten

How your order will arrive

Pots and Packaging
Larger pots (2L and above) are wrapped in waxed paper and then attached to a cardboard base so they stay stable in the box. The waxed paper prevents the compost from spilling out and gives the base some added protection from damp compost. For large numbers of plants, pallets may be used for shipping.

Preparation
The nursery will ensure the plant is moist while it's waiting to be picked up. Our quality control team waters the plant before packing them where necessary to make sure that the plant is suitably watered for transport. Plants with long delicate stems are secured with canes to prevent damage.

Plant on Arrival
Typically plants are delivered ready to plant and will take some time to settle, grow and look more like the product image above.

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© 2026 Cercis Ltd. All rights reserved | Primrose is the trading name of Cercis Ltd (Registration number: 14521244)