Childings

Rosa 'La Belle Sultane' June 27 2017

Rose Proliferation

Some garden roses are prone to proliferation which turns a beautiful flower ugly in its center. Rose proliferation isn't a killer and it can be avoided.

The reason for rose proliferation is not fully understood. The effect is usually noticed when a rose bud tries to form within a bloom that has already opened. Often, a stem with unfurling leaves could grow out through the flower with the bud at the end of it. It's a freakish event for the rose lover.

Proliferation in roses has been known for centuries. Botanists of the 18th century called these new buds "childings," due to the symbolism of the mutation.

 Romantic Gardening

Gallica Roses bloom only once in a season. Today June 27 the last two blooms of Rosa ‘La Belle Sultane’ are proliferating blooms. I disagree with the statement above that proliferation is ugly. It just shows that we do not know why roses do this. For me the mystery is exciting.

A rose that proliferated in the past