Souvenir de la Malmaison

About Souvenir de la Malmaison

Souvenir de la Malmaison belongs to the old garden & heirloom roses, a class defined by full, many-petaled blooms, often quartered or cupped. Prized for depth of fragrance and full, romantic form, the old garden roses carry a character that many modern roses cannot match.

In flower, Souvenir de la Malmaison is blush pink and fills the plant with bloom in wave after wave, carrying a strong, carrying fragrance. It is hardy across USDA zones 6-9, so it suits a wide range of gardens with the right seasonal care.

Characteristics and form

Souvenir de la Malmaison makes an arching, informal shrub in most classes, typically around 3 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. The blooms are full, many-petaled blooms, often quartered or cupped, medium to large in size, set against often matte green foliage. Knowing a rose's habit and mature size is the key to placing it well: give Souvenir de la Malmaison room to reach its full spread without crowding its neighbors, which also keeps air moving through the plant and disease at bay.

How to grow Souvenir de la Malmaison

Plant Souvenir de la Malmaison where it will get at least six hours of direct sun a day in fertile, well-drained soil with good air movement around it. In cold climates, set the graft union — the swollen knob where the variety joins the rootstock — at or just below the soil line; in mild climates, keep it at soil level. Once planted, water deeply and less often to encourage deep, drought-resistant roots.

• Light: Full sun, six hours or more; morning sun is best because it dries dew early and limits disease.
• Soil: Rich and well-drained, slightly acidic at about pH 6.0–6.5. Improve heavy or sandy soil with plenty of compost before planting.
• Water: Deep, infrequent soakings at the base rather than frequent light sprinkling; more in heat, sandy soil, or containers.
• Feeding: A balanced rose fertilizer in early spring, repeated after the first flush to fuel the next.
• Pruning: Prune it in late winter to an open, outward-facing framework, then deadhead through the season.

Where to use Souvenir de la Malmaison in the garden

Souvenir de la Malmaison suits heritage and cottage borders, fragrant gardens, and specimen shrubs. It is at home in a romantic, informal planting with other old roses and cottage perennials. For more ideas, see our guide to companion plants for roses.

Common problems and care

Grow it with good air flow; many old roses are robust and famously long-lived. Watch for the usual rose troubles — black spot, powdery mildew, and aphids — and head them off with good air flow, base watering, and a tidy autumn clean-up. See our full guide to rose diseases and pests for identification and treatment.

Souvenir de la Malmaison — frequently asked questions