Introduction & History

Tour de Malakoff stands as one of the most theatrically colored roses in all of horticulture, a centifolia hybrid whose blooms undergo a breathtaking transformation from rich magenta-crimson to violet, lavender, and finally a silvery mauve-grey as they age. Introduced by the Luxembourg firm Soupert & Notting in 1856, this rose was named after the Malakoff Tower, a key fortification in the Siege of Sevastopol during the Crimean War, whose capture by French forces in 1855 was a celebrated military triumph. The enormous, heavily petaled blooms nod gracefully on lax canes, creating an effect reminiscent of an Impressionist painting where multiple color phases appear simultaneously on the same bush. Few roses can match the emotional range of Tour de Malakoff: it is at once opulent and melancholic, celebratory and wistful, a living canvas of shifting hues that has enchanted gardeners and painters alike for over a century and a half.

Breeding History

Tour de Malakoff was introduced by the renowned nursery of Soupert & Notting in Luxembourg in 1856. Its exact parentage is unrecorded, as was common for centifolia hybrids of the period, but it clearly carries centifolia and possibly gallica or china blood given its unusual color range and moderate vigor. The rose was named to commemorate the French victory at the Malakoff Tower during the Crimean War (1855), reflecting the Victorian habit of honoring military achievements through rose nomenclature. While it has never received formal modern awards, Tour de Malakoff is universally regarded by heritage rose authorities as one of the finest centifolias ever raised, prized for its unmatched color metamorphosis and old-world charm.

Flower Form & Fragrance

The blooms are large, 10-12 cm across, fully double with 60-80 loosely arranged petals that create a sumptuous, cupped to flat quartered form. Flowers open a vivid magenta-crimson, then transition through violet and lavender to a haunting greyish mauve as they age, often showing all stages simultaneously. The fragrance is rich and intoxicating, a deep centifolia perfume with sweet, heady notes of old rose, honey, and a hint of plum. It blooms once in early to midsummer, producing clusters of 3-5 flowers that nod elegantly on their stems.

Garden Design & Uses

Tour de Malakoff is best grown as a pillar rose or trained against a support, as its lax canes benefit from structure. It makes a magnificent companion to old shrub roses, lavender, nepeta, and silvery-foliaged plants like artemisia. Plant it where its extraordinary color changes can be observed at close range, such as beside a garden bench or along a walkway. Its shifting hues pair beautifully with purple-leaved plants like Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' or dark clematis varieties.

Growth Habit & Hardiness

Tour de Malakoff grows as a lax, arching shrub reaching 180-250 cm in height with a spread of 120-150 cm. Without support, it tends to sprawl gracefully. The foliage is medium green, large, and somewhat coarse-textured. Canes are moderately thorny with curved prickles. Vigor is moderate; the bush builds slowly but once established produces abundant flowering wood. The lax habit actually enhances its beauty, as the heavy blooms cascade and display their color changes at eye level when grown on a pillar or fence.

Climate & Hardiness

Hardy in USDA zones 4-9. Tour de Malakoff tolerates considerable cold and is reliably hardy throughout most of Europe and North America. It prefers moderate summer heat and performs best where nights are cool, which intensifies the violet and mauve color tones. In very hot climates, blooms may fade quickly. Reasonable rain tolerance, though the heavy blooms can ball in prolonged wet weather. Provide good air circulation to prevent fungal issues in humid regions.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Planting & Container Growing

Plant in rich, deep, moisture-retentive soil with good drainage. Preferred pH is 6.0-6.8. Add generous amounts of well-rotted manure or compost at planting time. Space plants 150-180 cm apart if growing as free-standing shrubs. Provide a sturdy pillar, obelisk, or fence for support. Plant at the same depth as the bud union or slightly deeper in cold climates. Mulch generously to conserve moisture, as centifolias are hungry, thirsty roses.

Container Growing

Tour de Malakoff is not ideal for containers due to its vigorous, lax growth habit. If attempted, use a very large container of at least 60 liters with a sturdy internal support structure. Use a rich, loam-based mix with added compost. Water deeply and regularly, as container-grown centifolias dry out quickly. Feasibility rating: 2/5. This rose needs the root run and stability of open ground to perform well.

Seasonal Care & Pruning

Spring: Remove dead wood and lightly shape. Tie new growth to supports. Apply a thick mulch and balanced rose fertilizer. Summer: Deadhead spent blooms after the single flowering period. Apply a second feed after flowering. Water deeply during dry spells. Autumn: Stop feeding by late August. Allow hips to form if desired. Tie in any long canes to prevent wind damage. Winter: In zones 4-5, mound soil around the base and protect canes with burlap or straw. In milder zones, no winter protection needed beyond basic mulching.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Failing to provide support, causing the lax canes to sprawl on the ground where blooms are ruined. 2. Planting in too much shade, which reduces flowering and encourages mildew. 3. Hard pruning like a hybrid tea, which removes the flowering wood that centifolias need. 4. Neglecting to feed heavily; this rose demands rich soil and regular fertilization. 5. Planting in hot, exposed sites where the subtle color transitions are lost to rapid fading.

Propagation

Tour de Malakoff is most successfully propagated by hardwood cuttings taken in autumn, about 20-25 cm long, inserted into a sandy trench. Success rate is moderate at around 50-60%. Budding onto Rosa canina or R. laxa rootstocks is the professional method and gives vigorous plants. Softwood cuttings in early summer under mist can also succeed. Seeds are rarely used as the cultivar does not come true. Difficulty rating: moderate. Layering of the lax canes is another reliable option, taking 6-12 months to root.

Diseases & Pests

Moderately susceptible to powdery mildew, particularly in dry conditions with poor air circulation. Black spot resistance is moderate; preventive spraying may be needed in humid climates. Rust is occasionally seen but rarely serious. Aphids congregate on new growth in spring and should be controlled early. Japanese beetles can devastate the blooms in affected regions. Spider mites may appear in hot, dry weather. Good garden hygiene, adequate spacing, and preventive organic sprays keep most problems manageable.

Cut Flowers & Exhibition

Cut blooms when the outer petals have unfurled but the center is still cupped, ideally in the magenta stage to enjoy the full color transformation indoors. Cut in early morning, place immediately in deep, cool water. Remove lower foliage. Vase life is 4-5 days. The color changes continue in the vase, making it a spectacular cut flower despite the relatively short vase life. Individual blooms are stunning floating in shallow bowls.

Collector & Exhibition Notes

Tour de Malakoff is considered an essential centifolia for heritage rose collections. Its unique color-changing blooms make it a conversation piece at rose shows, though the nodding habit means exhibition blooms may need careful staging. Rarity is moderate; available from specialist heritage rose nurseries. No modern equivalent exists for its extraordinary color metamorphosis, giving it irreplaceable collector value. Heritage Rose Foundation and Europa Rosarium both maintain reference specimens.

Comparison with Similar Roses

Compared to the centifolia Fantin-Latour, Tour de Malakoff offers far more dramatic color but needs more support. Robert le Diable, another color-changing old garden rose, is more compact but less vigorous. The gallica Cardinal de Richelieu achieves similar purple tones but is more upright, bushier, and lacks the multi-stage color transformation that makes Tour de Malakoff unique among old roses.

Heritage & Conservation

Tour de Malakoff is preserved in major heritage rose collections worldwide, including the Roseraie de l'Hay near Paris, Sangerhausen in Germany, and the Cranford Rose Garden in New York. It is not endangered but is grown primarily by specialist nurseries and collectors. Its preservation is important as a unique example of centifolia breeding at its artistic peak.

Cultural Significance

Named for the Malakoff Tower captured by French forces during the Crimean War in 1855, this rose connects horticulture to military history. The name was so celebrated that it was also given to the Parisian suburb of Malakoff. In the language of flowers, its shifting colors symbolize the passage of time and the beauty of transformation. It appears in numerous paintings and photographs of heritage rose gardens, and its blooms are prized by floral artists for their painterly quality.

Frequently Asked Questions