Charles de Gaulle

Full Description:

If your garden assembled an army of roses, Charles de Gaulle would naturally take command. Upright, distinguished and impossible to overlook, it carries the quiet authority of the historic French leader whose name it bears.

Its elegant buds open into large, beautifully shaped Hybrid Tea flowers in unusual shades of lilac, lavender and soft purple. Depending on the light and stage of flowering, the petals may reveal cooler mauve tones or warmer pinkish reflections.

The fragrance is one of Charles de Gaulle’s greatest strengths. Rich, intense and unmistakable, it has a distinctive verbena character that can be appreciated both in the garden and indoors when the flowers are cut for arrangements.

The blooms appear repeatedly from late spring until the first frost. Their classic high-centred form and long stems make them especially suitable for bouquets, while the unusual colour creates a refined focal point in borders and rose beds.

Charles de Gaulle develops into an upright shrub of approximately 80–100 cm, with healthy green foliage that allows the flowers to remain the main attraction. Plant it in a sunny, well-ventilated position to encourage strong growth, abundant flowering and healthy foliage.

This is a rose for gardeners who appreciate character as much as beauty: dignified in form, memorable in fragrance and sufficiently distinctive to become one of the most admired plants in the garden.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What colour is Charles de Gaulle?
Its flowers combine lilac, lavender and soft purple tones. The exact shade can vary slightly according to temperature, sunlight and the age of the bloom.

Is Charles de Gaulle strongly fragrant?
Yes. It is particularly valued for its intense verbena fragrance, which is noticeable both in the garden and in cut-flower arrangements.

Does Charles de Gaulle flower repeatedly?
Yes. It produces successive flushes of flowers from late spring until the first frost. Removing faded flowers helps encourage new buds.

How large are the flowers?
The blooms generally measure approximately 10–12 cm and have the elegant, high-centred form associated with Hybrid Tea roses.

How tall does Charles de Gaulle grow?
It generally reaches approximately 80–100 cm, forming an upright shrub that fits comfortably into most rose beds and mixed borders.

Where should I plant it?
Plant Charles de Gaulle in full sun, in fertile and well-drained soil. A position with good air circulation will help maintain healthy foliage.

Can Charles de Gaulle be grown in a container?
Yes. Its manageable size makes it suitable for a large, deep container with good drainage. Container-grown roses require regular watering and feeding.

Is it suitable for cutting?
Yes. Its long stems, elegant flower form, unusual colouring and powerful fragrance make it an excellent rose for bouquets.

Is Charles de Gaulle suitable for beginners?
Yes. Provide it with full sun, fertile soil, regular watering and seasonal feeding, and it can reward both new and experienced gardeners with repeated flowering.

Which plants pair well with Charles de Gaulle?
White, pale pink and soft blue flowers complement its lilac-purple colouring. Lavender, nepeta, salvia and silver foliage also create attractive combinations.

How can I encourage more flowers?
Remove faded blooms regularly, feed during the growing season and water deeply during dry weather. Annual pruning will encourage strong new flowering stems.

What does the rose look like on delivery?
Its appearance depends on the delivery season and its natural stage of growth. For examples and explanations, see What roses look like on delivery →.

What should I do after planting?
Plant it in a sunny position, water thoroughly and keep the soil evenly moist while the roots establish. For detailed instructions, visit our complete planting guide →.