MADAME BOLL – pink historic Portland rose – Boll
If You dream of a soft, romantic corner in Your Irish garden, Madame Boll brings that gentle, old-world charm in a form that is surprisingly forgiving to live with. Its richly double, mid-pink blooms release a very strong, classic damask fragrance that carries on damp evenings, evoking a quiet stroll in rainfall and soft light. This compact, upright shrub fits beautifully into cottage-style borders or a Dublin front garden, and copes well with Ireland’s breezy, changeable climate. As an own-root rose, it establishes steadily and offers a reassuringly long lifespan; roots build in the first year, shoots strengthen in the second, and by the third year the bush settles into its full romantic character with repeat-flowering displays.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Cottage-style flower bed near the house |
Very strong, far-scented damask perfume makes Madame Boll ideal beside paths, gateways or a kitchen window where You pass daily, so You can enjoy its historic rose scent without effort – perfect for the fragrance-loving beginner. |
| Small to medium family garden shrub layer |
The compact, upright habit (around 1–1.2 m) and dense foliage allow it to sit neatly among perennials without overwhelming a modest space, giving structure and nostalgic charm in typical family gardens – ideal for space-conscious homeowners. |
| Historic or romantic “girly” border |
Very double rosette blooms in vivid medium pink that soften to pale, creamy pink create a romantic, feminine look that suits Irish cottage borders and soft planting schemes, echoing classic Victorian gardens – appealing to style-focused gardeners. |
| Repeat-flowering feature in a mixed border |
Remontant flowering, with an abundant second flush, keeps colour returning through a short Irish summer, so even with busy schedules You still enjoy regular waves of bloom without replanting annuals – reassuring for time-poor urbanites. |
| Specimen rose in a large container |
Its compact, upright growth works well in a 40–50 litre pot on a terrace or small paved front garden, bringing period character and strong scent close to the door where soil is limited – a smart choice for hard-surfaced town-dwellers. |
| Partially shaded spots with afternoon sun |
Tolerant of partial shade, Madame Boll can flower reliably where sunlight is limited to a few good hours, making it suitable for many Irish side gardens and shared city spaces – helpful for shade-challenged beginners. |
| Long-term planting in settled family gardens |
As an own-root historic shrub, it matures steadily into a durable, characterful plant that can regenerate from the base after pruning or weather damage, holding its ornamental value for many years – ideal for long-view planners. |
| Traditional hedge or low backdrop row |
Planted 85–95 cm apart, its dense foliage and medium height create a soft, flowering line that copes calmly with cool, breezy, often damp conditions typical of Irish gardens, requiring only occasional care – suited to low-maintenance-seeking families. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage Charm – Combine with Alchemilla mollis and foxgloves for a frothy, romantic Irish cottage border – for lovers of soft, “girly” planting.
- Front-Door Welcome – Grow in a large 40–50 litre pot by the entrance, underplanted with scented herbs for everyday fragrance – for busy Dublin terrace owners.
- Historic Harmony – Pair with blue globe thistle and catmint to contrast pink rosettes with cool blues and silvery foliage – for fans of period garden style.
- Soft Shade Border – Plant along a lightly shaded fence with ferns and white Verbena hastata ‘White Spires’ for dappled, calm colour – for gardeners working with partial shade.
- Family Rose Walk – Line a short path with spaced shrubs and low edging plants to enjoy perfume at child height – for families who value sensory, child-friendly gardens.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Historic Portland shrub rose marketed as MADAME BOLL – pink historic Portland rose – Boll; also known as Madame Boll in exhibitions; unregistered cultivar within the historic rose group. |
| Origin and breeding |
Raised by Daniel Boll in the United States from ‘Baronne Prévost’ × ‘Portlandica’; introduced to Europe by Joseph Boyau, France, around 1859 as a classic Portland, Hybrid Perpetual type. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, compact shrub typically 85–125 cm high and 75–115 cm wide, with dense, mid-green, slightly glossy foliage and moderate thorns, forming a full, bushy plant suited to beds or low hedges. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, 7–10 cm, very double rosette blooms with 40+ petals, mostly borne singly; the variety repeats well with a generous second flush when adequately fed and watered through the season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Vivid medium pink flowers (ARS MP; RHS 55C–55D) with silvery sheen; buds deep pink; colour lightens to pale, slightly creamy pink in sun, remaining richer and cooler-toned in lower temperatures. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, far-reaching classic damask scent typical of old roses, most noticeable in cool, humid air; ideal for fragrance-focused planting close to paths, doors, and frequently used outdoor seating. |
| Hip characteristics |
Limited hip set due to very double, repeat-flowering blooms; when formed, hips are small, 12–18 mm, egg-shaped and orange-red, with only occasional ornamental presence in late season. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about -26 to -23 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 4, USDA 5b); moderate disease resistance, with some susceptibility to black spot, mildew and rust in humid summers; appreciates good air flow. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in fertile, well-drained clay or loam, neutral to slightly acidic; space 85–95 cm in rows or 1.1–1.3 plants/m²; maintenance medium, remove spent blooms and provide balanced feeding for repeat flowering. |
MADAME BOLL rewards patient gardeners with powerful damask fragrance, repeat pink flowering and long-term stability from its own-root form, making it a thoughtful choice for a lasting, characterful corner of your garden.
