Introduced around 1800. A lax shrub to 2.2m; leaflets broadly elliptic to ovate, grey-gren with indented veins. Flowers in groups of 3-15, large, loose, untidy and semi-double, with well-developed stamens. Colour pink, with shades of purple in the centre.

There has been much confusion among the numerous roses named Agathe, such as Agathe Royale, 'Agathe portugaise' etc. The 'Agathe' from Mottisfont, shown in our 'Roses'(1988), was pale pink and fully double, with more normal gallica-type leaves; it is probably 'Agathe Incarnata'. The 'Agathe' shown here, which Francois Joyaux now considers to be the correct one, is close to Rosa x francofurtana, and to the variety 'Imperatrice Josephine'.The loosely double flowers and leaves with strikingly impressed veins, are very easy to recognise. It is supposed to be a hybrid with Rosa majalis.
Photographed at the François Joyaux’s Roseraie de la Cour de Commer near Mayenne France.