A native of Southern Europe, grown since ancient times. Called the French Rose or Rose of Provinces. It was the center of the first rose breeding in the early 19th century. It was part of gardens of the Middle Ages. Canes grow up to 1.5 meters from a creeping rootstock.
Leaves are smooth and dark green.
The Greeks and Romans grew gallica roses. Later, the French and the Dutch loved to breed them. Colors range from pink through purple and include some striped varieties. They are hardy to zone 4. In very warm regions, they must be forced into dormancy to bloom well.