BOTTICELLI ® – pink bedding floribunda rose - Richardier
Step outside to meet porcelain petals and gently cupped blooms that bring a soft, romantic cottage feel to even the smallest Irish front garden, quietly repeating their flowering displays from early summer to autumn. BOTTICELLI is bred for bushy, compact structure, so it settles neatly into beds, borders and large containers without demanding constant clipping, while its dense dark foliage keeps the planting looking lush and full. On its own roots it offers reassuring longevity, rebuilding from the base if winter or pruning ever knock it back, giving you dependable colour through seasons of soft rain and cool breezes instead of fuss. Well-chosen for typical Irish conditions of frequent rain and heavy soil, it responds simply to good drainage and light mulching, and over time its own-root system supports stronger health and a stable shape that suits busy beginners.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front garden bedding strip along a Dublin terrace |
The compact, bushy habit and 60–80 cm height create a neat, low “wall” of porcelain pink clusters that looks refined from the pavement. Regular repeat flowering keeps a tidy, welcoming frontage with minimal shaping, well suited to time-pressed homeowners. |
| Informal Irish cottage garden border |
Very double, cupped blooms in soft, powdery pink tones blend effortlessly with foxgloves and cottage perennials, giving an airy, romantic border without needing expert pruning. Own-root growth means the clump matures gracefully year after year for relaxed gardeners. |
| Low flowering hedge along a path or driveway |
Planted at 35 cm spacing, the dense foliage and steady repeat flushes knit into a softly rounded, continuous pink line. Medium maintenance means an occasional light trim and deadheading where desired, practical for busy families. |
| Feature plant in a large patio container |
In a 40–50 litre pot with good drainage, the strong branching and XL clusters create a generous focal point on balconies or paved patios. Its moderate height keeps blooms at eye level, offering season-long interest for urban residents. |
| Mixed flower bed with shrubs and perennials |
The dark, slightly glossy foliage contrasts beautifully with variegated dogwood or clematis, while repeated flowering anchors the bed from early summer onwards. As an exhibition-grade floribunda, it adds refinement without complex care for design-conscious buyers. |
| Small family garden with heavy, moisture-retentive soil |
While it prefers free-draining ground, BOTTICELLI copes well where Irish rainfall and heavier soils are normal, provided you improve drainage with organic matter and mulch. This supports root health, shoot growth and full ornamental value over three seasons for practical owners. |
| Weather-exposed suburban sites |
The good heat tolerance and robust H7 hardiness give reassuring resilience in typical Irish conditions, from cool, wet spells to bright summer days with occasional drought, as long as you water in dry periods, a comfort for cautious beginners. |
| Long-term planting where longevity matters |
The own-root form builds a stable framework that can regenerate from the base after harsh winters or renovation pruning, preserving the true BOTTICELLI character for many seasons, which suits those planning a lasting, evolving garden for committed gardeners. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-border – Thread BOTTICELLI through foxgloves and hardy geraniums for a soft, storybook edge to paths – ideal for romantic cottage-garden enthusiasts.
- Pink-ribbon – Create a continuous low hedge of porcelain pink along a front wall, interplanted with lavender for scent – perfect for neat, coordinated front-garden planners.
- Patio-focus – Plant one rose per 50 litre terracotta pot, underplant with trailing thyme, and group three together – suited to balcony and patio owners wanting easy structure.
- Pastel-mix – Combine with pale clematis and white gaura in a mixed bed for a light, floating effect – attractive for those who like gentle, feminine colour schemes.
- Family-frame – Line a main garden path with BOTTICELLI and soft grasses, giving year-round structure and summer colour – good for families seeking simple, reliable planting.
Technical cultivar profile
| Attribute |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bedding rose, registered as MEIsylpho, marketed as BOTTICELLI ® bedding rose MEIsylpho; ARS exhibition name BOTTICELLI, premium silver cultivar rating for garden performance. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Michèle Meilland Richardier, Meilland International, France; bred and registered in 2003, introduced 2005, from undisclosed parentage selected for bedding and landscape use. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated bedding rose with gold medals at The Hague and Bagatelle, Paris, plus major awards in Rome, Monza and Geneva, recognising both garden display and landscape value. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, compact shrub, 60–80 cm high and 50–70 cm wide, with dense, dark green, slightly glossy foliage and moderate prickles; medium self-cleaning, benefits from light deadheading. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, cupped blooms with over 40 petals, XL size exceeding 10 cm, produced in clusters; remontant with particularly abundant second flush, well suited to bedding displays. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Uniform porcelain pink, RHS 65C outer, 65D inner; buds silky pink, opening soft rose-pink then lightening to powder-pink with pale, almost whitish centre as the flower ages. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Subtle, very weak fragrance with a delicate character rather than strong scent; primarily valued for colour, form and bedding impact rather than aromatic contribution in the garden. |
| Hip characteristics |
Low hip production due to very double blooms; where present, small 6–10 mm spherical orange-red fruits form, contributing minor late-season interest without significant seeding. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C, RHS H7, USDA 6b; good heat tolerance with watering in drought; resistant to powdery mildew, medium resistance to black spot and rust in humid sites. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in well-drained soil with added organic matter and mulch; spacing 35–65 cm depending on use; suitable for beds, edging, containers, patios and low hedges, including partial shade. |
BOTTICELLI ® rewards you with romantic porcelain-pink clusters, compact bedding structure and reliable repeat flowering, while its own-root form promises lasting, steady performance for those planning a gentle, long-lived planting choice.
