Richelieu Cardinal - Gallic Rose-bush

Creator: Laffay, France, 1840
Flowers: 6 cm      
Height: 1,5 m

There is no doubt that this Gallic Rose-bush Hybrid drivens from a rose in China, in what comes down to its genetic structure. The color of the flowers is unique: of a strong dark purple fading into a darkish slate. Bent, with the petals numerous and well sorted, lighter on the base and stronger in the center, the flowers emanates a fresh and pleasant perfume. The bush is compact and the foliage is small and bright.
This rose was named after Armand Duplesis, an ecclesiastic and a powerful statesman, who was cardinal and duke of Richelieu (1585-1642). Impeccable politician, intelligent and sharp, he ruled France for over 18years and up till the day he died, despite the often hesitations of his king Louis XIII and the so many attempts from his aristocratic enemies. He also achieved victory over the Protestants – the Huguenots. On foreign policy, he fought and weakened, even through unorthodox alliances, the hegemony of the Habsburg and the House of Austria in Europe. In internal administration he made useful reforms in finance, the executive and civil law.
Richelieu was one of the creators of the French Colonial Empire and laid the foundations of the navy, being also the founder of the French Academy.
On the 3 December 1642, as he was dying, he was asked if he would like to forgive his enemies, in which he replied back: “I never had any, apart from those that were for the State.”