Commercially available

• Archiduc Charles (china, Dubourg/Laffay, 1825)
• "Rita Petersen"

84 favorite votes.  
Average rating: EXCELLENT-.  

Red blend.
Registration name: Archduke Charles (china, Dubourg/Laffay, 1825)

Bred by Dubourg (France, circa 1825).
Introduced in France by Jean Laffay in circa 1825 as 'Archduke Charles'.

China / Bengale.  

Pink, ages to crimson .  Mild fragrance.  Average diameter 4".  Medium, double (17-25 petals), cluster-flowered, cupped, flat bloom form.  Blooms in flushes throughout the season.  

Few or no prickles/thorns, upright.  Dark green foliage.  3 to 5 leaflets.  

Height: 3' to 5' (90 to 150cm).  Width: 3' (90cm).

USDA zone 7b through 10b.  Drought resistant.  heat tolerant.  prefers full sun.  prefers warmer sites.  

Diploid

The Archduke Charles was the father of the Emperor Franz Joseph, the longest serving ruler in European history.
Recent genetic studies have shown that 'Archduke Charles' is genetically identical to 'Old Blush' and must therefore be a sport, not a seedling of this rose.