SOUVENIR DU DOCTEUR JAMAIN – deep crimson historic perpetual hybrid rose - Lacharme
Along a breezy Cornish veranda or Devon shingle path, Souvenir du Docteur Jamain brings a sense of sheltered elegance, its velvety, deep crimson blooms glowing richly in partial shade where their colour holds best. This historical hybrid perpetual rose is strongly scented, offering a full-bodied old-rose fragrance that lingers while you enjoy tea behind a living windbreak after collecting seashells. Its arching growth makes it ideal for gentle training on trellis or veranda posts, creating privacy that copes well with cool, moist air and brisk onshore breezes, supporting roots that anchor reliably and manage winter-wet soil. As an own-root plant in the pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre pot, it settles in steadily for a long life: first establishing roots, then building shoots, and by the third year showing its full character in flower and foliage. Moderately vigorous yet not overwhelming, it suits small to medium family gardens and coastal-style spaces where you prefer a rose that rewards patient care with long-lasting, repeat flushes of romantic colour and fragrance.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Small coastal veranda windbreak |
Trained along a railing or light trellis, this rose’s arching habit forms a semi-screen that softens wind and frames seaside views, while own-root strength underpins long-term structure for veranda users such as beginners. |
| Partially shaded house wall |
Performs particularly well with morning or dappled light, as partial shade protects the velvety crimson flowers from scorch and fading, giving steadier colour over the season for shade-challenged homeowners. |
| Feature rose in a small family bed |
Its medium height and historical character make an effective focal point in a compact border, where repeat flowering and damask fragrance add presence without needing expert pruning from busy families. |
| Romantic seating corner backdrop |
Arched over a bench or at the back of a seating nook, the richly scented blooms create an intimate, old-rose atmosphere that matures gradually as roots, then shoots, then full display develop for relaxed gardeners. |
| Large container on sheltered terrace |
In a 40–50 litre container with reliable drainage, its moderate vigour and partial shade tolerance work well, allowing you to enjoy an historical rose close to the house without complex care routines for terrace owners. |
| Historic-style mixed border |
Blends naturally with perennials and ornamental grasses, its mid-green foliage and arching habit weaving through companions while steady repeat flushes extend interest for tradition-loving collectors. |
| Lightly trained along coastal path |
Guided over low supports beside a shingle or gravel path, its flexible canes and own-root resilience help it cope with cool, moist air and brisk onshore breezes for coastal-style garden enthusiasts. |
| Cut-flower source near the back door |
Produces medium, cupped, strongly scented blooms on manageable stems, ideal for nostalgic indoor arrangements when picked in the cool of the day, rewarding practical, fragrance-loving beginners. |
Styling ideas
- Veranda-Arc – train the arching canes over a light wooden frame by a coastal seating area, underplant with sea kale and low grasses for a sheltered tea spot – ideal for relaxed seaside families
- Shingle-Romance – plant along a shingle path with Festuca and feather reed-grass to echo dune textures while the velvety blooms add depth – suited to coastal-style lovers
- Historic-Corner – set a single plant by a bench against a wall, pairing with lavender and daylilies for a scented, heritage reading nook – perfect for nostalgic homeowners
- Container-Haven – grow in a 50-litre pot on a sheltered terrace, combining with low herbs for scent at hand height – practical for busy urban veranda users
- Twilight-Border – place in a partially shaded mixed border where its dark flowers glow at dusk among pale perennials – appealing to evening garden enjoyers
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Souvenir du Docteur Jamain is a historical hybrid perpetual rose from the Heritage rose collection; an unregistered cultivar with the ARS exhibition name identical to its current trade name. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by François Lacharme in France around 1865 from ‘Général Jacqueminot’ × ‘Charles Lefebvre’, introduced in 1868 via Lacharme’s Lyon rosaries and distributed by Wyatt and Frogmore in Australia. |
| Awards and recognition |
Decorated as ARS Dowager Rose Queen at multiple US rose society shows between 1999 and 2001, confirming its value as an exhibition-quality historical garden rose for collectors. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
A climbing, arching rose reaching about 160–250 cm high and 100–160 cm wide, with moderately dense, slightly glossy mid-green foliage, sparsely thorned stems and weak self-cleaning of spent blooms. |
| Flower morphology |
Medium-sized, double, cupped blooms with 26–39 petals, generally borne singly; remontant, with an abundant second flush after the main flowering period when properly watered and maintained. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep, velvety crimson-red with purplish tones; best colour in partial shade, fading and sometimes scorching in intense sun, referenced as ARS code DR and RHS 60A outer, 187A inner petal shades. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, full-bodied damask fragrance that is long-lasting on the bush and when cut, evoking traditional old garden roses; double form limits pollinator access, so it is grown chiefly for scent and beauty. |
| Hip characteristics |
Produces a small number of red, globe-shaped hips around 10–15 mm in diameter, mainly of ornamental interest late in the season rather than for heavy wildlife or culinary use. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −26 to −23 °C (RHS H7, Swedish Zone 4, USDA 5b), with good powdery mildew resistance and moderate black spot and rust tolerance; poor in heat or drought, needing regular watering. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in cool, moist climates with partial shade, deep fertile soil and steady moisture; train on supports, deadhead by hand, and allow space according to use: 90–165 cm spacing depending on planting scheme. |
Souvenir du Docteur Jamain offers velvety, strongly scented repeat blooms, thrives in partial shade, and as an own-root rose promises steady, long-lived charm for those considering a refined historical feature.
