The oldest class of garden roses, Gallicas were cultivated in Roman and Greek times. Their natural habitat extends through southern Europe from France to Turkey. Recognized for their hardiness, they are once-blooming, compact shrubs.

One of a group of Old roses predating the introduction of China Roses into rose breeding and characterized by highly stylized, formal blossoms. The flowers range from purplish and crimson tones through light pinks. The are usually fragrant, but are produced but once a year. Gallicas are cold-hardy and disease-resistant.

Roses with highly artificial blossoms in hard-to-bear blackish-red-purple blossoms.