15 Incredible Roses For A Dreamy French Country Garden

Why Roses?

Nothing embodies the romance and timeless elegance of a French country garden quite like roses. Whether climbing gracefully over an arbor, spilling from a weathered stone planter, or intermingled with lavender and rosemary in an herbaceous border, the right roses transform your garden into feast for the senses.

Below is a curated list of 15 exquisite and hardy rose varieties, each chosen for its beauty, fragrance, and ability to thrive in a relaxed, natural setting.

Above: Romantic climbing rose trained onto a wooden Tuteur gives a classic French Country look!

Which Roses are Best for a French Inspired Garden?

Roses that invoke a feeling of romance and timelessness are best for a French inspired garden. Some notable characteristics to look for include:

• Old-World Form: Heritage and old-world roses have a distinctive, soft, full-petaled shape to their blooms. Many of the David Austin English Roses, which were bred to embody these antique characteristics, are therefore ideal for a French inspired garden.
• Soft Colors: Pastel shades of blush pinks, creamy whites, and yellows complement the subdued, elegant palette of French country garden design.
• Fragrance: Roses should smell heavenly! Forget the sad, scentless varieties and go for antique or hybridized roses bred for their fragrant perfume.
• Natural Growth Habit: Choose roses with a softer and more relaxed form than the typical rigid, upright modern landscape shrub rose. These will blend beautifully with mixed borders and cottage-style plantings.
• Hardiness: The French country garden aesthetic has an effortless, natural feel and is supportive of birds and other pollinators. Thus rose varieties that are hardy in a wide variety of climates and boast strong disease resistance, ergo needing less human intervention in order to thrive, are perfect for French inspired gardens.

Roses with these qualities create the inviting, romantic atmosphere of an elegant, yet relaxed, French countryside garden.

15 Roses Perfect for a French Country Garden Aesthetic

#1 ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ (AUSBorder)

This shrub rose by David Austin features lush, fully double, old-fashioned blooms with a rich, strong fragrance. Its growth habit lends itself to informal, romantic garden designs.

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–9
• Type: Shrub
• Repeat bloomer? Yes
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 4–8′ x 3–4′
• Color: Bright pink
• Fragrance: Strong, classic Old Rose scent
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Also of note: Can be trained as a short climber or grown as a bush.

#2 ‘Désirée Parmentier’

This stunning Gallica rose produces very full, medium-pink blooms clustered around a green eye with an intense, heady fragrance. Dating to 1840s France, its historic roots and soft arching habit makes it a perfect fit for French-inspired gardens. It is also wonderful in cut flower arrangements.

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9
• Type: Shrub, Arching, may also be trained as a low climber
• Repeat bloomer? No, but blooms over several weeks in multiple flushes
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 4–5′ x 4–5′
• Color: Medium pink
• Fragrance: Strong
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Also of note: Vigorous with long softly arching canes. Benefits from support of a low fence or wall. In my zone 6b garden this rose got much bigger than I expected!

Désirée Parmentier in my garden

#3 ‘White Dawn’

One of the finest ever white climbers, “White Dawn” has elegant pointed buds that open to delicate, sweetly fragranced blooms. She’s perfect for draping over pergolas or arbors – as in my garden, below – or even training to a wall.

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9
• Type: Climber
• Repeat bloomer? Yes
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 10–15′ x 6–8′
• Color: Pure white
• Fragrance: Light and sweet
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Also of note: Vigorous and fast growing but well behaved. Disease-resistant. A truly exceptional rose and a great choice for beginner rose growers.

“White Dawn” on an arbor in my formal Rose Parterre

#4 ‘Sombreuil’ 

Sombreuil is an elegant climber features flat, frilly, quartered blooms. They are a true creamy ivory without a yellow undertone – a real rarity! With her strong tea rose fragrance vintage appearance, Sombreuil makes a lovely addition to any French inspired garden.

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 6–9
• Type: Climber
• Repeat bloomer? Yes
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 8–12′ x 5–6′
• Color: Creamy white/Ivory
• Fragrance: Strong and sweet
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Also of note: Well behaved. Perfect for trellises and fences.

#5 ‘Souvenir de la Malmaison’

A historic rose with large, fully double blooms in a romantic blush-pink hue. Its compact size and refined appearance make it a favorite among gardeners.

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9
• Type: Shrub
• Repeat bloomer? Yes
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 4–6′ x 3–4′
• Color: Blush pink
• Fragrance: Strong and sweet
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Also of note: Named for Empress Josephine’s garden. We have much to thank her for when it comes to roses.

#6 ‘Madame Plantier’ (“The Bride’s Rose”)

This lovely rose was introduced in 1835 by Plantier (French). Pink rosebuds open to pure white blooms that are flat, very full, and have the sweetest green button eye. She can handle part shade, cold temperatures, and has an elegant arching habit.

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–9
• Type: large arching Shrub
• Repeat bloomer? No
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 4–6′ x 4-5′
• Color: White
• Fragrance: Strong and damask-like
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Also of note: Known for its robust growth and historical significance. With lovely arching canes, this rose can grow quite tall and wide.

#7 ‘Claire Austin’ (AUSprior)

A climbing rose with creamy white, cup-shaped blooms and a delightful myrrh fragrance. It adds elegance to French-inspired trellises and arches.

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9
• Type: Climber
• Repeat bloomer? Yes
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 8–10′ x 5′
• Color: Creamy white
• Fragrance: Strong, myrrh-like scent
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Also of note: One of David Austin’s finest white climbers.

#8 ‘Reine des Violettes’

This hybrid perpetual rose produces velvety purple blooms and has a nearly thornless growth habit, making it easy to handle.

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9
• Type: Shrub
• Repeat bloomer? Yes
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 5–7′ x 3–4′
• Color: Deep mauve-purple
• Fragrance: Strong, old-fashioned rose scent
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Also of note: Very few thorns; truly uniquely colored blooms.

#9 ‘Pierre de Ronsard’ (“Eden”)

A climbing rose with large, cabbage-like blooms in cream and soft pink, offering unparalleled romantic appeal.

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9
• Type: Climber
• Repeat bloomer? Yes
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 8–12′ x 4–6′
• Color: Cream with soft pink blush
• Fragrance: Light and sweet
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Also of note: Known as the Eden Rose, a favorite for arches.

#10 ‘Felicia’ 

This pretty lady is a hybrid musk rose with soft apricot-pink blooms and a delightful fruity scent, ideal for informal French borders.

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 6–9
• Type: Shrub
• Repeat bloomer? Yes
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 4–6′ x 4–5′
• Color: Soft apricot-pink
• Fragrance: Fruity and musky
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Also of note: Excellent disease resistance.

#11 ‘Moonlight in Paris‘ (DELanac)

This shrub rose produces lovely fragrant, old fashioned, softly cupped blooms that flower in small clusters. 

• Hardiness: Zones 6–9
• Type: Shrub 
• Repeat bloomer? Yes
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 4–5′ x 3–4′
• Color: ages from deep apricot with a gold center to light pink
• Fragrance: Moderate, fruity, spicy
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Also of note: Strong disease resistance.

#12 ‘Teasing Georgia’ (AUSbaker)

A beautiful David Austin rose with golden yellow, cup-shaped blooms and a strong, tea-like fragrance. Its graceful, arching habit makes it ideal for both borders and trellises.

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9
• Type: Shrub or Climber
• Repeat bloomer? Yes, prolific
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 4–8′ x 3–4′ (as a shrub) or up to 10′ as a climber
• Color: Golden yellow fading to pale yellow
• Fragrance: Moderate, tea rose scent
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Also of not: Versatile and highly disease-resistant. Very prolific bloomer with a long season, has flowered into November in my 6b garden. Excellent cut flower and produces nice hips.

#13 ‘Bolero’ 

This rose is a stunner. She forms a stately, bushy, compact shrub with rose with lush dark green foliate. Her large, 3″ white blooms have a gorgeous shell-pink undertone and classic, old-fashioned bloom form. Reblooms generously throughout the season once established.

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9
• Type: Medium Shrub
• Repeat bloomer? Yes, prolific.
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 3–4′ x 2–3′
• Color: White, with shell-pink undertone
• Fragrance: Strong
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Also of note: Floribunda. Excellent cut flower.

“Bolero” in my garden

#14 ‘Compte de Champagne’ (AUSufo)

Is there anything more French than a rose named after Tattinger’s finest Champagne? A cross between apricot and soft yellow, her delicate ruffled petals are clustered around glowing yellow stamens in a soft, open-cupped form that is irresistible to bees. A truly special rose.

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9
• Type: Large upright Shrub
• Repeat bloomer? Yes
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 5–6′ x 4-5′
• Color: Soft yellow that fades to pale apricot
• Fragrance: Light-medium, musk
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Also of note: Highly attractive to pollinators.

#15 ‘La Reine Victoria’

This Bourbon rose is prized for its silvery-pink, cupped blooms and strong fragrance, perfect for adding a vintage touch to French country gardens.

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9
• Type: Shrub
• Repeat bloomer? Yes
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 5–6′ x 4–5′
• Color: Silvery pink
• Fragrance: Strong and sweet
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Also of note: Excellent for cutting gardens.

OK I know I said “15”, but there are so many good choices! So here’s just one more…

Bonus #16 ‘Blanc Double de Coubert’ (Rugosa)

This variety boasts pure white, semi-doubled blooms with an intense fragrance. Rugosa roses are rugged and very hardy with veiny and wrinkled leaves – thus the name! Consider a rugosa rose for a difficult section of the garden that has poor soil or needs to be filled in quickly as rugosa roses spread by underground ‘suckering” rhizomes’.

• Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9
• Type: Shrub
• Repeat bloomer? Yes
• Approximate Size at Maturity: 4–6′ x 3–4′; may spread to form dense thickets.
• Color: Pure white
• Fragrance: Strong, clove-like scent
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Thorny: yes, very!
• Also of note: Extremely hardy and resistant to diseases. Tolerant of sandy soil and even exposure to salt water spray. Excellent for hedging. Prolific producer of very large rose hips. IMPORTANT: Verify that this rose is not considered a “bully” or restricted where you live because of its vigorous spreading habit.

All of these roses are perfectly suited to the romance and timelessness French garden aesthetic. Which roses will you choose? Do you already grow any of these and I’ve mentioned one of your favorites?