LIONS CHARITY – salmon-pink nostalgic rose – Vissers
Imagine stepping outside after a shower of soft Irish rain, the garden washed clean and the salmon-pink blooms of LIONS CHARITY catching the light with a gentle glow. This romantic shrub rose brings an easy-going charm to cottage-style borders and Dublin terrace fronts, coping calmly with blustery, damp weather and the kind of rainfall our gardens know so well. Large, cupped flowers with a nostalgic shape and sweet, fruity scent create a sense of contentment without demanding fussy upkeep, while its own-root nature promises quiet longevity and reliable regrowth after tough winters or hard pruning. Give it a year to establish roots, another to build confident shoots, and by the third season you can enjoy its full ornamental impact as a bushy, flower-filled presence that simply asks for occasional feeding, watering and light shaping.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Irish cottage-style flower bed near the front door |
The bushy, 65–95 cm habit and dense mid-green foliage give a soft, traditional backdrop for pathways and porches, while large, cupped, salmon-pink blooms supply that storybook cottage feel from early summer onwards for fragrance-loving visitors and beginners. |
| Short, low hedge along a garden boundary |
Planted at about 40 cm, LIONS CHARITY knits into a neat, low hedge whose moderate height still allows light through, while its moderately thorny stems offer a gentle deterrent and its own-root resilience supports a long-lived, easily renewed line for homeowners. |
| Romantic mixed border in a typical family back garden |
With medium maintenance needs and medium disease resistance, this shrub fits well into busy-family borders: a straightforward feeding and pruning routine keeps it flowering repeatedly, while its H7 hardiness ensures it comes back strongly for busy-gardeners. |
| Feature shrub as a solitary specimen on the lawn |
Used alone at around 75 cm spacing, its rounded structure, large clusters of very double blooms and steady season-long display make a graceful focal point that still stays in scale with smaller Irish lawns, suiting design-conscious yet time-poor urbanites. |
| Partially shaded side garden or north–east facing bed |
Its suitability for partial shade lets you brighten those awkward, softer-light areas where many roses sulk, keeping flowers coming even when the sun is shy, which is especially reassuring for Irish cottage and terrace plots owned by cautious beginners. |
| Water-conscious mixed planting in free-draining or improved clay soil |
Moderate heat and drought tolerance means it copes well once established, asking mainly for regular watering only in prolonged dry spells, a practical advantage in improved heavy clay beds that appeals to sustainability-minded gardeners. |
| Cutting patch for fragrant indoor arrangements |
The 7–10 cm, very double, cup-shaped flowers on cluster stems provide generous, nostalgic-style blooms for vases, while their strong, sweet, fruity fragrance fills rooms, rewarding anyone who likes to bring garden scent indoors, especially enthusiastic amateurs. |
| Long-term, low-fuss planting in a large patio container |
In a 40–50 litre or larger pot with good drainage, its compact, bushy shape, remontant flowering and own-root staying power give years of reliable colour even where borders are scarce, particularly suiting balcony and small-frontage town-dwellers. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-Romantic Border – Combine LIONS CHARITY with Carpathian bellflower and horned viola for a softly layered, pastel cottage effect – ideal for romantic, nature-oriented homeowners.
- Soft-Edged Hedge – Plant a low, curving hedge and underplant with dwarf fountain grass for movement and texture – perfect for families wanting gentle structure without harsh lines.
- Fragrant Doorway Welcome – Flank a front path or steps with groups of three shrubs for repeated scent and colour – suited to busy urban gardeners who like instant charm.
- Patio Feature Pot – Grow one shrub in a 50 litre terracotta or stone container, with trailing violas at the rim – great for terrace or balcony owners with limited border space.
- Cutting-Corner Patch – Set up a small cutting area, mixing LIONS CHARITY with airy grasses for textural, scented bouquets – appealing to hobby florists and home decorators.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Shrub nostalgia rose from the Romantic rose collection; registered as VISmelgo, traded as LIONS CHARITY – Romantic rose – VISmelgo, approved exhibition name LIONS CHARITY. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Martin Vissers, Viva International BVBA, Belgium; cross of ‘Melglory’ × ‘Golden Celebration’; bred 2019, registered 2019, introduced to the market in 2020. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy shrub 65–95 cm tall, 60–85 cm spread, dense mid-green, matt foliage and moderate prickliness; medium vigour suited to beds, low hedges, group plantings and containers. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, cup-shaped blooms with 40+ petals, 7–10 cm across; cluster-flowered with remontant habit and abundant second flush, providing a nostalgic, full-petalled display all season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Warm salmon-pink with creamy base; buds bright salmon, opening to intense tones that fade to pastel salmon–cream while retaining overall colour; RHS 36B outer, 158C inner. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, well-pronounced fragrance of classic rose enriched with sweet, fruity notes; suitable for those prioritising scent in garden beds and for indoor cut-flower enjoyment. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasional spherical orange-red hips, 8–12 mm diameter, forming lightly where flowers are not deadheaded; provides modest seasonal interest without heavy seeding. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about –21 to –18 °C (USDA 6b, RHS H7, Swedish zone 3); medium resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; appreciates regular care in humid seasons. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best at 40–75 cm spacing depending on use; suitable for beds, groups, hedges, solitary planting, parks and cutting; medium maintenance with routine feeding, pruning and watering. |
LIONS CHARITY offers romantic salmon-pink, strongly scented blooms, a compact, bushy habit and reassuring hardiness on a durable own-root framework, making it a thoughtful long-term choice for Irish family gardens and terraces.
