Not Classic Roses: This Bold, Fresh-Smelling Flower Is A Great Alternative

If you want your garden to bloom with flowers that smell as lovely as they look, the rose is always a good option. From 'Double Delight' to English 'Heritage' roses, there are plenty of rose varieties that will make your garden smell heavenly. But if you're searching for something that's particularly fragrant (and arguably more eye-catching than a classic rose), the 'Charles de Mills' rose (Rosa 'Charles de Mills') is an excellent contender.

The 'Charles de Mills' is a gallica rose, one of the oldest types of garden roses in the world. Native to Europe, gallicas were grown by the Greeks and Romans, with the Dutch and French emerging as primary producers many centuries later. In the late 18th century, a new type of gallica was introduced: the 'Charles de Mills', and it continues to brighten up gardens around the world today.

With its delicate-looking double blooms that weave and wind in different directions, the 'Charles de Mills' rose is simply stunning. As for its bloom, this centuries-old flower is often magenta in color, but it also comes in other shades of pink, red, and even purple. Another bonus? This heirloom rose variety has very few thorns.

Before planting a 'Charles de Mills' rose shrub (or several), there are a few things to consider. First, think about how much space you have in your yard. 'Charles de Mills' roses are on the larger side – in terms of flower size, shrub height, and spread. On average, the flowers are between 4 and 5 inches in diameter, and the shrubs can reach up to 5 feet in height and spread.

So before planting, you should figure out how you'll position the flowers in your outdoor space. 'Charles de Mills' roses work well in the back or middle of borders, but they're also great to use as a front-yard specimen plant to add major curb appeal to your home.

For these flowers to thrive, it's best to plant them in moist, well-draining soil. You should water 'Charles de Mills' rose bushes regularly to keep the dirt damp, but don't let it become overly wet or waterlogged. And rather than watering the flowers themselves, aim for the base. This protects the delicate petals and reduces moisture in the plants (which can lead to black spot and other fungal issues).

Ideally, the shrubs should sit in full sun, but if that's not possible, you can put them in a partially shaded area. (However, without at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, the flowers might not look as vibrant or grow as large.) If all goes well, you can expect them to bloom for several weeks sometime between late spring and early summer. To keep your shrub healthy, prune it each spring to get rid of dead or old wood. Lastly, like other once-blooming gallicas, 'Charles de Mills' roses are a variety you shouldn't cut back in the fall.