Rosa centifolia aka Cabbage Rose

The Rosa × centifolia, also known as the Provence rose, cabbage rose, or Rose de Mai, is a vigorous shrubby rose that grows to about 1.2-1.5m tall. It has thorny stems and dark green foliage. This hybrid rose was developed by Dutch breeders between the 17th and 19th centuries, possibly earlier. It is highly fragrant and produces a profusion of large, globular blooms that are fully double, pure white in color, and faintly striped with rose and lilac. This old-fashioned rose, dating back to around 1845, is a favorite subject in the paintings of the Old Dutch Masters. Cabbage roses are a cross between alba and damask roses, resulting in their distinctive "one hundred-petaled" cabbagelike bloom shape. Despite blooming only once per season, these roses are known for their toughness, winter-hardiness, and resistance to diseases. They have coarse leaves and long canes that bend under the weight of their dense, fragrant flowers.