Louise Odier Rose Rosa 'Louise Odier' (Bb)
ABOUT
Rosa 'Louise Odier' is recognized for its attractive blooms which consist of bountiful, full flowers with a classic old rose shape that captivates the eye. Each flower reveals a soft, pink hue that can range from a pale blush to a more pronounced, warm pink, imbuing the plant with a romantic and nostalgic presence. The petals are densely packed and often display a slightly ruffled or quartered look at the center, adding texture and depth to the bloom's appearance. The foliage of the plant provides a lush backdrop to the flowers, showcasing a rich, green color with leaves that have a slightly glossy finish, enhancing the overall vitality of the plant. Tending to be healthy and robust, the leaves complement the flowers excellently, making the plant quite pleasing to the eye. Throughout the blooming season, 'Louise Odier' provides an abundant floral display, with the flowers often appearing in clusters that create a sense of opulence and generosity. The sight of this plant in full bloom can be quite spectacular, with the lush green foliage serving as a perfect canvas for the sprays of pink flowers that seem to cover the plant with their charming elegance.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Louise Odier, Madame de Stael, Katherine Seymour, Mme Pierre Oger
Common names
Rosa 'Louise Odier' (Bb).
ToxicityTo humans
The common name for Rosa 'Louise Odier' is the Louise Odier rose. This plant is generally not considered poisonous to humans. There are no significant toxic effects associated with ingesting the petals or any other part of this rose. However, as with many plants, ingesting large quantities could potentially cause some stomach discomfort, though this is not common.
To pets
The common name for Rosa 'Louise Odier' is the Louise Odier rose. This plant is also not considered poisonous to pets, including dogs and cats. The ingestion of rose petals, leaves, or stems is unlikely to cause poisoning in pets. However, thorns can cause physical injury if chewed or swallowed. If a pet were to ingest a significant amount of the plant, mild gastrointestinal upset might occur.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
4-5 feet [1.2-1.5 meters]
Spread
3-4 feet [0.9-1.2 meters]
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5-9
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Rosa 'Louise Odier' is prized for its beautiful, full pink blooms that can enhance the visual appeal of any garden.
- Fragrance: The flowers emit a captivating, old-rose fragrance that can perfume an entire garden area.
- Continuous Blooming: This Bourbon rose is known for its repeat-flowering capability, providing color and interest throughout the growing season.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators, which are essential for a healthy ecosystem.
- Landscape Versatility: Louise Odier can be planted in borders, as a specimen plant, or used for creating hedges and rose walls.
- Historical Significance: As an old garden rose variety, it offers historical charm and can be a focal point for heritage gardens.
Medical Properties- Antibacterial: Rose petals, including those from Rosa 'Louise Odier', can have antibacterial properties, potentially inhibiting the growth of certain bacteria.
- Anti-inflammatory: Compounds in roses like Rosa 'Louise Odier' may reduce inflammation in various parts of the body.
- Antioxidant: Rose petals are known to contain antioxidants, which can help in neutralizing harmful free radicals in the body.
- Astringent: Rose water made from the petals can act as an astringent, which may help in toning and tightening the skin.
- Vitamin C: Rose hips, the fruit of rose plants including Rosa 'Louise Odier', are high in vitamin C, which is important for immune function and skin health.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Culinary Garnishes: The rose petals of Rosa 'Louise Odier' can be used to add a touch of elegance to desserts and culinary dishes.
- Natural Fabric Dye: The petals of this rose can be boiled to produce a natural pink dye for fabrics such as wool or silk.
- Edible Delights: The rose petals are edible and can be crystallized or used in rose petal jams and syrups for their flavor.
- Rose Water Production: The petals can be distilled to create rose water, which is often used in cooking Middle Eastern cuisine.
- Bath Additives: Dried or fresh petals of Rosa 'Louise Odier' can be added to bathwater for a fragrant and relaxing experience.
- Floral Crafts: The blooms of the rose can be used in potpourri or as part of floral arrangements and wreaths.
- Natural Confetti: Dried petals can serve as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper confetti at celebrations.
- Botanical Photography: Its stunning blooms make this rose an excellent subject for botanical photography and art.
- Education and Research: Rosa 'Louise Odier' can be studied in horticulture programs for its growth habits and cultivation requirements.
- Scented Products: The rose's fragrance can be extracted for use in perfumes, lotions, and other scented products.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Rosa 'Louise Odier', commonly known as Bourbon rose, is not typically used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Bourbon rose is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love: Often associated with romance and passion, the Rosa 'Louise Odier' shares in the universal symbolism of roses as expressions of deep love and affection.
- Beauty: This particular variety of rose, with its lush, pink blooms, is emblematic of classic beauty and grace.
- Femininity: With its frilly, numerous petals and intense fragrance, 'Louise Odier' can represent femininity and the elegance of womanhood.
- Enduring Devotion: As a perennial that returns year after year, the 'Louise Odier' rose signifies long-lasting commitment and unwavering emotional support.
- Secrecy: Historically, roses have been used to convey messages in secret, and the 'Louise Odier' carries on this tradition as a messenger of clandestine feelings.
WaterThe Bourbon rose typically requires watering once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. During hot or dry spells, water should be given to thoroughly soak the soil around the roots, using approximately 1 to 2 gallons per plant, depending on its size and the soil type. Always water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. In cooler weather or when rainfall is sufficient, reduce watering frequency. It's important to avoid overwatering, as Bourbon roses do not like to sit in waterlogged soil.
LightBourbon roses thrive in full sunlight, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal. Planting the rose in an area where it receives morning sun is particularly beneficial, as the early light helps dry dew from the leaves, reducing the risk of fungal infections. They can tolerate some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates, but too much shade can lead to poor blooming and weak growth.
TemperatureBourbon roses are hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures. They perform best in environments where the temperature is typically between 55°F and 75°F. The minimum temperature they can withstand is around 20°F, while the upper limit for their comfort zone is around 85°F, though they can endure higher temperatures if properly cared for. Adequate air circulation and water availability are crucial to help the plant cope with temperature extremes.
PruningPruning the Bourbon rose helps maintain its shape, encourage new growth, and improve air circulation, reducing the likelihood of disease. Prune in the late winter or early spring, just as the buds start to plump. Cut back the previous year's growth by about one-third, remove any dead or damaged wood, and thin out the center of the plant to allow sunlight to penetrate and air to circulate. Deadheading, or removing the spent blooms, should be done throughout the blooming season to promote continuous flowering.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for the Bourbon rose, commonly known as 'Louise Odier', should be well-draining and rich in organic matter. A mix of two parts loam, one part peat moss, and one part compost with perlite or sand to improve drainage is ideal. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, around 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingBourbon roses like 'Louise Odier' are typically grown in the ground and do not require repotting. However, if grown in containers, they should be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth.
Humidity & Misting'Louise Odier' or Bourbon rose thrives in average outdoor humidity levels. While specific humidity requirements are not stringent, maintaining a level between 40% and 60% is generally favorable for rose plants.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide direct sunlight, ample airflow, and regular water.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, enrich soil, ensure good drainage.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleRosa 'Louise Odier', commonly known as Louise Odier or Bourbon rose, begins its life cycle when its seed germinates in fertile, well-drained soil. The seedling enters a phase of vegetative growth, developing roots, stems, and leaves. With proper care, including adequate sunlight and water, it matures into a bush over several years, eventually reaching its full size and shape. The mature plant enters the reproductive stage, producing fragrant, pink flowers from late spring to early fall, which attract pollinators for sexual reproduction. After pollination, the flowers develop into rose hips, which are the fruiting bodies containing seeds. The plant goes dormant in winter, conserving energy to re-emerge in the spring, continuing the cycle annually with new growth and blooms.
PropogationPropogation time
Early spring
The Rosa 'Louise Odier', often referred to as the Bourbon rose, is typically propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings during the plant's growing season, usually late spring to mid-summer. The most popular method involves selecting a healthy stem of the rose plant that has recently bloomed and cutting a piece about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) long. This stem cutting should have several sets of leaves at the top and be cut at a 45-degree angle just below a leaf node. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development before planting it in a pot filled with a mix of potting soil and perlite or sand to ensure good drainage. The cutting is then watered well and covered with a plastic bag or placed in a propagator to maintain high humidity, which is crucial for root formation. After a few weeks, when roots have developed sufficiently, the new rose plant can be gradually acclimatized to outside conditions and then planted out in the garden.
