CAPRICE DE MEILLAND ® – deep pink hybrid tea rose – Meilland
If You dream of a romantic, “girly” Irish cottage border or a welcoming Dublin front step, CAPRICE DE MEILLAND brings large, luminous flowers and a fruity perfume that drifts through the garden. Its repeat-flowering habit gives generous, XL blooms from early summer onwards, even when summers are short and the weather brings frequent showers and brisk breezes under soft Atlantic light. As an own-root shrub, it establishes steadily, building strong roots and a reliable framework for many seasons of colour. You can enjoy its exhibition-style, high-centred buds and elegant, long-stemmed blooms for cutting, without specialist rose skills or complicated routines, simply combining good drainage, a sunny spot and occasional deadheading. Over time, it grows into a bushy, upright feature that pairs beautifully with airy cottage perennials, offering enduring grace and floral drama in a typical family garden.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Cottage-style front garden focal point |
The large, high-centred blooms and strong scent create an instant “wow” beside a gate, front step or path, giving traditional hybrid-tea elegance on a bushy, upright plant that fits small Irish gardens; ideal for the fragrance-loving homeowner. |
| Cutting patch for home bouquets |
Long, straight stems and XL, exhibition-type flowers make this rose excellent for vases, allowing You to harvest bunches of deep pink, perfumed blooms across the season; perfect for the creative hobby-gardener. |
| Romantic mixed border in family gardens |
Its repeat-flowering habit provides colour “pulses” through the summer, weaving easily among perennials while maintaining structure without becoming huge or unmanageable; well suited to the busy family-gardener. |
| Feature rose in a large patio container |
In a 40–50 litre pot with good drainage, the upright, medium-sized bush becomes a fragrant centrepiece near a seating area, with flowers at perfect nose-height; reassuring for the space-conscious urban gardener. |
| Own-root long-term garden investment |
As an own-root shrub it can regenerate from the base if damaged, maintaining true-to-type growth and stable ornamental value over the years, supporting a simple Year 1 roots, Year 2 shoots, Year 3 full display rhythm for the patient beginner. |
| Small rose hedge or path edging |
Regular spacing creates a neat, mid-height line of deep pink blooms that frame paths or lawn edges without dominating, giving structure plus scent along everyday walking routes; attractive for the design-aware gardener. |
| Weather-resilient showpiece in Irish conditions |
Dense foliage, sturdy stems and good colour retention help it look composed through breezy, showery spells typical of coastal and inland Irish gardens, keeping flowers presentable between deadheading sessions for the pragmatic garden-owner. |
| Perfume-focused collection planting |
Award-winning fragrance with a very strong, garden-filling character makes it a cornerstone in scented corners or alongside paths You open in the evening, adding depth to any perfume-led scheme for the scent-obsessed collector. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage Border Duo – Mix with low baby’s‑breath for a cloud of white under the deep pink blooms, echoing a romantic, cottagey feel – for nostalgic rose-lovers.
- Terraced Welcome – Flank a Dublin terrace doorway with a pair in large containers, underplanting with trailing herbs for a fragrant, space-efficient entrance – for urban homeowners.
- Pink Perfume Corner – Combine with Calamintha ‘Elfin Purple’ and a garden bench to create a scented nook where flowers and foliage shimmer in soft light – for evening relaxers.
- Elegant Grass Contrast – Plant alongside Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’; the fine, moving grass sets off the formal, high-centred roses – for design-conscious gardeners.
- Cutting-Row Charm – Line a sunny side border with evenly spaced plants for reliable, long-stemmed blooms ready for vases all summer – for home florists.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, collection Perfumella; registered as MEIsionver, marketed as Caprice de Meilland ® Perfumella ® MEIsionver; exhibition name Caprice de Meilland. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alain Antoine Meilland, Meilland International, France, from (“Tino Rossi” × “Rendez-Vous”) × “Sonia”; introduced and registered in 1997. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated perfume rose: multiple 1997 fragrance prizes at Bagatelle Paris, Nantes, Le Roeulx and Rome, plus a gold medal and Rose of the Year title in Hamilton, New Zealand. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, upright shrub to about 85–115 cm high and 40–60 cm wide, with dense, mid‑green, slightly glossy foliage and moderate thorns; poor self-cleaning, so benefits from regular deadheading. |
| Flower morphology |
Very large, high‑centred, pointed buds opening to double flowers with 26–39 petals, generally borne singly on stems; classic cut‑rose form with a generous second flush. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Uniform deep rose-pink, ARS code DP, RHS 55B outer and 55A inner petals; colour holds well, edges lightening slightly as blooms open to a glossy, cupped form before slowly fading. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, garden-filling scent with a fruity, rosy character; ideal for planting near windows, doors or seating to enjoy the perfume indoors and outdoors in calm conditions. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasional small, spherical red hips, about 8–12 mm across, adding a discreet ornamental accent in late season when some spent flowers are left unpruned on the plant. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Medium disease resistance to black spot, mildew and rust; hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3), with moderate tolerance of heat and short dry spells. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil; space 35–75 cm depending on use; water during prolonged dry weather and deadhead for repeat flowering; suitable for borders, hedges and large containers. |
CAPRICE DE MEILLAND offers award-winning fragrance, repeat XL blooms and steady, own-root longevity, making it a thoughtful choice if You value long-term beauty with manageable care in a family garden.
