Rosa Mundi the striped beauty

Rosa Mundi is the most beautiful of roses with its striped petals and golden heart. It only flowers for about six weeks, which I think makes the pleasure more intense as its such a limited time.

Reputedly named after the Fair Rosamund, who was the mistress of Henry II, its Latin name is rosa gallica versicolor, proclaiming it as a sport of rosa gallica. 

Now, rosa gallica is also known as the Red Rose of Lancaster. Remember the famous story of the noblemen from the Houses of York and Lancaster plucking roses to show  their allegiance? The Yorkists plucked rosa alba, the lovely scented white rose, and the Lancastrians plucked - well, a frankly rather gorgeous pink rose! It's the same pink as the darker pink you see in the stripes of rosa mundi.

These photos were taken in my Mother's garden a few days ago, and she told me that they are her favourite flower. Mind you, she says that about snowdrops and fritillaries. She's a woman of very good taste!
Happy summer.