EDDY MITCHELL® – burgundy-yellow quilled-petal hybrid tea rose
Step out to the front path after rain and you will notice how the velvety blooms of EDDY MITCHELL® glow in the soft light – a dramatic hybrid tea made for everyday elegance rather than complicated gardening. Its large, high‑centred flowers open from near‑black buds into a rich burgundy cup with a glowing golden reverse, giving your beds a quietly glamorous focal point even in changeable Irish weather, where it shrugs off wind and wet typical of coastal and higher‑rainfall gardens. Repeat flushes bring a long flowering season, so you can cut a few stems for the kitchen table and still have plenty left outside. On its own roots, it settles in reliably, building a strong base for years of longevity and steady flowering. Light, yet noticeable scent and glossy dark foliage complete the picture of relaxed indulgence, while moderate maintenance needs and clear spacing guidelines keep care refreshingly simple for busy, small‑garden beginners.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Cottage-style front garden focal point |
The tall, upright habit and striking burgundy-and-gold blooms give instant structure beside a gate, porch or bay window, echoing traditional Irish cottage gardens without demanding expert pruning, ideal for colour-loving beginners. |
| Statement specimen in a small lawn or gravel bed |
Planted at 90 cm as a single specimen, its large, high-centred flowers and glossy foliage create a neat, upright accent that looks intentional rather than fussy, suiting busy homeowners who want impact from one plant. |
| Cut-flower corner near the front door |
Hybrid tea form with long stems and repeat flowering means a steady supply of classic, high-centred roses for vases, letting you enjoy the mild, noticeable scent indoors with minimal fuss, perfect for home decorators and florists. |
| Edging a path in a city terrace garden |
At 70–100 cm high and up to 90 cm wide, a row at 50–55 cm spacing lines a path with elegant, upright structure and bold colour, yet remains manageable to deadhead, ideal for stylish but time-poor urban gardeners. |
| Mixed border with grasses and late perennials |
The dark, velvety blooms contrast beautifully with fountain grasses and bee balm, and its remontant habit ensures colour beyond the first flush, suiting nature-oriented growers building layered, long-season borders. |
| Large patio container near seating |
In a 40–50 litre or larger pot with good drainage, it forms a tidy, upright bush whose mildly scented flowers can be appreciated at eye level, making it an easy-care choice for paved spaces used by socialising families. |
| Feature rose in heavier Irish soils |
With proper drainage and mulching, the vigorous own-root plant establishes a durable framework that copes well with wet spells and blustery days typical of many Atlantic-influenced gardens, reassuring practically minded owners. |
| Long-term “heirloom” rose in a family garden |
On its own roots, it can regenerate from the base after damage, keeping colour and form consistent for years, so once it is settled you simply prune and refresh, an appealing prospect for value-conscious garden planners. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-Glow – Underplant with lavender and hardy geraniums to soften the strong bicolour blooms and create a romantic cottage feel – ideal for nostalgic homeowners.
- Urban-Ribbon – Run a short hedge along a front path, interspersed with low box or thyme, for a smart yet friendly street-facing border – perfect for Dublin terrace fronts.
- Patio-Theatre – Grow one plant in a generous clay pot with trailing violas at the rim to frame its dramatic flowers at sitting height – suited to balcony and courtyard users.
- Grasses-Drama – Combine with fountain grass and bronze-toned heucheras so the velvety burgundy flowers emerge from a haze of movement and texture – for design-conscious gardeners.
- Family-Cuttings – Dedicate a sunny bed by the back door for several bushes, mixing in easy annuals so children can help pick fragrant stems – great for young families.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as MEIrysett, marketed as Eddy Mitchell® Hybrid tea rose MEIrysett; ARS exhibition name Garden Director Bartje Miller; collection and group hybrid tea cut-flower type. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alain Meilland, Meilland International, France, from ('Madame A. Meilland' × 'Yakimour') × 'Épidor'; introduced and registered in 2008, reflecting modern hybrid tea breeding goals. |
| Awards and recognition |
Rose Hills International Rose Trials First Season Certificate of Merit in 2011, indicating strong early performance and garden appeal under trial conditions in a competitive test setting. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright hybrid tea shrub reaching 70–100 cm high and 60–90 cm wide, with dense, dark green, glossy foliage; moderately thorny shoots; weak self-cleaning so spent blooms usually benefit from deadheading. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, high-centred blooms 7–10 cm across, typically carried singly on stems; 26–39 petals form a pointed, cut-rose type bud; remontant habit with an abundant second and subsequent flushes in season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Velvety deep burgundy with golden-yellow reverse (RHS 183A outer, 14B inner); retains dark colour well in heat, with slight fading to purplish and bronzed tones, maintaining a strong bicolour effect through flowering. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Mild but noticeable rose fragrance suited to close-up appreciation rather than strong room filling; pleasant around paths, seating areas, or as cut flowers on a table where subtle scent is preferred. |
| Hip characteristics |
Due to double flowers and regular pruning, hip set is sparse; when present, produces small, ovoid red hips 8–12 mm in diameter, mainly of ornamental interest late in the season. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately −23 to −21 °C (USDA 6a, RHS H7, Swedish zone 3); tolerates heat with regular watering; shows moderate resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust, requiring routine monitoring. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; spacing 55 cm for mass plantings, 50 cm for hedges, 90 cm for specimens; suitable for beds, edging, containers and cutting; medium maintenance, with occasional pest management. |
EDDY MITCHELL® Hybrid tea rose MEIrysett offers dramatic bicolour blooms, reliable repeat flowering and long-lived, regenerating own-root growth, making it an elegant, low-fuss choice for those planning a lasting family garden.
