This is what Luxembourg was called in the 19th and early 20th centuries, when it became a center for growing and exporting roses to other countries, including royal courts. During this period, breeders in the Grand Duchy created more than 400 varieties of roses, many of which were named after crowned heads and presidents of states. Luxembourg produced a third of the world’s roses, and annual exports reached 10 million plants.
The most famous rose breeding centers were Souper & Notting, Ketten Frères, Gemen & Bourg, and Jean-Baptiste Lamesch. They participated in international exhibitions and often traveled to other countries to observe the cultivation of their rose varieties. For example, Ketten Frères managed the plantings in the royal parks of St. Petersburg. Luxembourg varieties were particularly valued for their frost resistance and resilience.
Two world wars led to the irreversible decline of the rose production sector, planting areas were significantly reduced, and there were no successors willing to continue the family business of rose breeding. After decades of neglect, two associations took it upon themselves to revive the Luxembourg rose. They encouraged the planting of historic and modern Luxembourg roses, invested in new varieties, and created public rose gardens. All these initiatives brought renewed attention to Luxembourg’s rose heritage.
In 2017, the Rose-association “Luxembourg Rose Friends” established a rose garden in the park at Château de Munsbach, located 10 km east from Luxembourg City. This summer, I visited the park and admired a rich collection of historic and modern roses. There are about 600 rose bushes of 150 varieties.
Incredibly, there are several historical roses here that were bred at the end of the 19th century. Among them are roses bred by Souper & Notting: ‘Tour de Malakoff’ 1856, ‘Duc de Constantine’ 1857, and ‘La Noblesse’ 1856.
Among the many varieties, I picked out a rose with the same name as the castle “Chateau Munsbach” (2018). It’s a bush rose with slightly fragrant, cup-shaped pale cream buds. The most striking feature is the round clusters, which can contain up to 30 flowers. A luxurious bouquet on one tall, sturdy stem.
For me, the most fragrant rose in this park’s collection was a shrub rose “Soroptimist Women’s Voice” (2019) with double, bright coral-pink buds. This rose is a combination of the robustness of a modern rose and the charm of an old-fashioned rose. I returned to it several times during my walk through the park to immerse myself in its fragrance once again.
Among the new varieties, Rose “Gaart an Heem” (2023) Vissers nursery caught my attention because it has several buds of different colors on one stem at the same time – the flower opens in a bright orange color, then turns pink as it blooms and gradually fades to almost white shades.
Among the bright, long-blooming varieties, I would like to introduce Hybride musk rose “Grand-Duc Jean” (2010) Lens nursery—a rose with elongated clusters reminiscent of hydrangeas. The flowers are carmine red with a white center. The rose is very positive and clearly lifts the mood. Although its fragrance is weak, this is compensated for by its spectacular and very long flowering period, which lasts until winter. I definitely recommend this rose for any garden.
