Gallica Rose 'Cardinal de Richelieu': The Velvet Purple of 1847

Few roses command attention like 'Cardinal de Richelieu' (also known as Cardinal Richelieu, Rose Van Sian), a Gallica hybrid introduced by Parmentier in 1847. Its blooms are a sumptuous, velvety purple-mauve—a color so rich and unusual that it has captivated gardeners, artists, and perfumers for over 175 years.

Botanical Profile

As a Gallica rose, it forms a compact, suckering shrub with distinctive grey-green foliage and few thorns—a trait inherited from its ancient lineage. The flowers are fully double, quartered, and intensely fragrant with the classic old rose perfume that defines the class. Blooming once in early summer, the display is brief but unforgettable. This is a rose for the patient gardener who values history, fragrance, and a color that exists nowhere else in the plant kingdom. In the language of flowers, it speaks of mystery, royalty, and enduring beauty.