CYCLAMEN PIERRE DE RONSARD ® – deep pink climbing rose - Tomerlin
Imagine stepping out your front door for a quiet, rain-fresh stroll, and being greeted by cascades of deep pink, cupped blooms of CYCLAMEN PIERRE DE RONSARD ® framing your cottage doorway in soft light. This climber’s very double flowers open in rich cyclamen pink, slowly fading to mid-pink with a silvery halo, so your wall, arch, or railings always look gently dressed rather than bare. Bred from the famous ‘Pierre de Ronsard’, it offers generous clusters of XL flowers that repeat well through the short Irish summer, even when days are cool and skies showery. On its own roots it establishes gradually yet securely – think Year 1 for roots, Year 2 for framework, Year 3 for full romantic effect – giving you a long-lived, reliable feature with simple seasonal care. In typical Irish clay soils, a little thought to drainage and mulching is enough to enjoy its lush, glossy foliage and abundant climbing display without complicated routines, making this a beautifully indulgent choice that still feels reassuringly manageable.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front-garden arch in a Dublin terrace |
Ideal where you want maximum visual impact in a small footprint: its tall, climbing habit and very double, deep pink blooms create a welcoming arch that feels romantic but not fussy, with repeat flowering keeping the entrance dressed for months; best for the design-conscious homeowner |
| Cottage-garden pergola in a family garden |
Trained over a pergola, its long, flexible shoots and clustering XL flowers form a shaded, storybook tunnel that children and adults will enjoy walking under in soft rain and evening light, giving structure and charm with only moderate pruning for the relaxed-minded gardener |
| Sunny house wall or sheltered fence |
A classic use where it can be tied onto wires or trellis: the dense dark-green foliage and strong colour retention make the wall look full and green even between flushes, while own-root vigour supports a long-lived, stable display for the practical-planning buyer |
| Statement specimen on a garden obelisk |
As a single specimen on an obelisk in a lawn or border, the abundant, cupped blooms and gradual colour fade from cyclamen to silvery-pink give a changing focal point through the season, suiting those who enjoy watching subtle shifts for the detail-loving observer |
| Large container on patio or roof terrace |
In a 40–50 litre container with good drainage, it becomes a vertical accent for small, paved spaces, letting you enjoy a “cottage” look even in an urban courtyard, while own-root growth helps it recover if winter or wind cause any top damage for the space-limited city-dweller |
| Mixed Romantic border with perennials |
Its deep-pink clusters and dark, glossy foliage pair beautifully with airy companions like Coreopsis, Calamintha, and Gypsophila, softening the overall effect and giving a textured, feminine border that still feels natural and relaxed for the cottage-style enthusiast |
| Family seating area backdrop |
Placed behind a bench or outdoor table, it delivers a long season of showy flowers with only a very light fragrance, ideal where you want colour and softness without overwhelming scent, and foliage that stays attractive with modest maintenance for the comfort-seeking family |
| Clay-soil garden with wet winters |
Well suited to Irish gardens when planted in improved, free-draining soil, as its own-root form and sturdy framework cope reliably with cool, damp weather and short summers, while you simply maintain mulch and occasional feeding for the time-poor beginner |
Styling ideas
- COTTAGE ARCHWAY – Let it drape over a simple timber or metal arch with Gypsophila and thread-leaved Coreopsis at the base for a romantic, “girly” entrance – for lovers of soft, nostalgic gardens
- DUBLIN TERRACE FRAME – Train along black railings or a narrow wall, pairing with pots of Calamintha for airy contrast and a gently scented threshold – for urban homeowners wanting instant character
- PERGOLA RETREAT – Grow it up each post of a small pergola above a bench, adding ferns and hostas below for a cool, green corner – for families seeking a cosy hideaway
- OBELISK FOCAL POINT – Place an obelisk in a mixed border and spiral the rose up, surrounding with low, mounded perennials to highlight the vertical column of blooms – for gardeners who enjoy elegant structure
- PAVED PATIO POT – Use a large terracotta container and simple wire fan to create a flowering screen beside a seating area, underplanted with trailing herbs – for busy people wanting easy romance in small spaces
Technical cultivar profile
| Characteristic | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Climbing, large-flowered ROMANTICA collection rose; registered as Margaret Mae, traded as Cyclamen Pierre de Ronsard ROMANTICA Margaret Mae, approved exhibition name Margaret Mae. |
| Origin and breeding |
Sport of ‘Pierre de Ronsard’ (MEIviolin, Eden Rose), selected by Reg Tomerlin in the USA before 2010; introduced 2017, US Plant Patent PP 20,953, distributed by Meilland International. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Strong climbing habit, 240–360 cm high and 180–320 cm spread; dense, dark green glossy foliage and moderate prickliness; weak self-cleaning so some deadheading is recommended. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, cupped blooms with over 40 petals; XL, typically over 10 cm; produced in clusters; remontant with a generous second flush, suitable for cutting and display. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep cyclamen pink, ARS dp, RHS 67A outer, 68B inner; buds dark and velvety, fading slowly to mid-pink with a silvery edge; colour holds well in sun with a refined, vintage look. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Fragrance is very weak and barely perceptible, prioritising visual display over scent; well suited near doors, paths, and seating where strong perfume might be overwhelming to some users. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasional spherical hips, 12–18 mm, orange-red RHS 40A; modest numbers but can add late-season interest; remove if you prefer to encourage repeat flowering rather than fruiting. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); moderate tolerance of heat and drought, needs watering in warm spells; moderate disease resistance, somewhat susceptible to rust. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in sun with fertile, well-drained soil; prefers regular watering in dry weather; space 230–360 cm depending on use; suitable for walls, fences, arches, pergolas, large containers and specimen training. |
CYCLAMEN PIERRE DE RONSARD ® rewards you with luxurious, repeat deep-pink flower clusters, long-term structure and reliable own-root regrowth, an inviting choice if you would like a romantic climber that stays manageable over the years.
