LOVELY GREEN™ – greenish-white bedding floribunda rose - Meilland
LOVELY GREEN™ brings an unexpectedly fresh twist to Irish cottage and city gardens with its rounded, pompon blooms shaded in soft greenish-white. Clusters of very full flowers keep appearing from early summer into autumn, so even in seasons of rainfall and shifting light you can rely on gentle colour in your borders. The neat, bushy habit suits small front gardens, edging and low hedges, giving easy everyday structure without constant clipping. As an own-root rose it settles in steadily, building a dependable shrub that copes well with typical Irish humidity when planted in improved, free-draining soil. Medium care means simple deadheading and a basic spray if needed, rather than demanding routines. With year 1 focused on roots, year 2 on stronger shoots and year 3 on full ornamental value, you can enjoy a long-lived, quietly elegant presence that pairs beautifully with herbs and perennials. Its refined, unscented blooms hold their colour well for cutting, bringing a touch of serenity indoors while the plant keeps your garden looking tidy.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Irish cottage-style front garden border |
The bushy, erect habit and 70–90 cm height create a soft, low backdrop that frames windows and paths without overwhelming smaller spaces. Reliable repeat flowering keeps the border looking composed between showers for the beginner gardener. |
| Dublin terraced-house front railings |
Neat spread (60–80 cm) and moderate maintenance needs suit tight urban plots where time and space are limited. Regular but simple deadheading is usually enough to keep plants blooming cleanly for the busy city homeowner. |
| Edging along garden paths |
Recommended spacing of about 40–50 cm allows you to create a continuous, low edging that guides the eye through the garden. The rounded, greenish-white clusters add a gentle, “girly” charm for the romantic cottage-garden lover. |
| Mixed perennial border with herbs |
The calm greenish-white flowers pair beautifully with rosemary, echinacea and airy calamint, balancing stronger colours and textures. Own-root plants mature steadily into long-lived anchors in the border for the nature-oriented planner. |
| Feature plant in a large container |
In a 40–50 litre or larger pot with good drainage, this floribunda gives season-long clusters of unusual blooms near a doorway or seating area. Medium care suits balconies and paved yards for the space-conscious urban gardener. |
| Informal low hedge |
At around 70–90 cm tall, plants set at roughly 40 cm apart knit into a relaxed, semi-evergreen line that marks boundaries without feeling harsh. The subtle colouring softens hard landscaping for the family with a small garden. |
| Small cutting patch for arrangements |
Sturdy stems and very full, globular flowers hold their shape well in the vase, and the colour stays fresh even under stronger sun. This makes it ideal for home bouquets and table centres for the home flower arranger. |
| Front garden focal point near a window |
The plant slowly develops from strong roots into a stable shrub that copes well with cool summers and regular showers, giving years of consistent bloom from one planting for the long-term-minded homeowner. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage Charm – Plant in a loose row with pink echinacea and white foxgloves to highlight the unusual greenish-white blooms – ideal for romantic front-garden enthusiasts
- Terrace Welcome – Place one shrub in a 50 litre terracotta pot by the front door for neat, long-season colour – perfect for busy city dwellers
- Herbal Border – Mix with rosemary and calamint along a path, letting the soft flowers play against fragrant foliage – suited to nature-loving home cooks
- Soft Hedge – Use repeated plants at 40 cm spacing to frame a lawn with a low, gentle hedge – great for families wanting structure without formality
- Cutting Corner – Dedicate a sunny, well-drained patch for several bushes to harvest distinctive, long-lasting blooms – appealing to creative bouquet makers
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bedding rose and florists’ rose; registered as MEItiver, marketed as LOVELY GREEN™. Classified within Rósra bhláthchlóis, with premium gold cultivar merit rating for garden and cutting use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alain Meilland, Meilland International, France. Introduced and registered in 2005, with parentage not publicly recorded. Developed for floribunda bedding and cut-flower performance in temperate climates. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, erect habit with slightly spreading tips. Typical height 70–90 cm, spread 60–80 cm. Moderately dense, mid-green, slightly glossy foliage; moderately thorny stems. Self-cleaning is weak, so faded blooms benefit from removal. |
| Flower morphology |
Globular, pompon clusters of very full blooms with over 40 petals. Medium-sized flowers, around 4–7 cm across. Remontant character, producing abundant first and second flushes, on cluster-flowering inflorescences suitable for cutting. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Greenish-white palette; ARS code wh, RHS 155D and 138D. Pale green buds with whitish margins open to white outer petals and greenish centres. Colour holds well, lightening only moderately in sun as blooms age gracefully. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Classed as an unscented rose with no noticeable fragrance in garden or vase. Primarily chosen for its refined, unusual green-toned bloom colour and reliable flowering habit rather than aromatic characteristics or perfume use. |
| Hip characteristics |
Rose hips form only occasionally due to very double flowers. When present they are usually 10–15 mm in diameter, sparse and not a prominent decorative feature, so the variety is grown mainly for its floral display. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C, corresponding to USDA zone 6b, RHS H7 and Swedish zone 3. Disease resistance is moderate to powdery mildew, black spot and rust, so basic monitoring and timely treatment are recommended. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in sunny sites with improved drainage. Medium maintenance: occasional pest and disease control plus regular deadheading. Spacing 40–75 cm depending on use, giving roughly 4.2–4.8 plants per square metre in mass plantings. |
LOVELY GREEN™ offers long-season clusters of unusual greenish-white blooms, steady own-root longevity and dependable performance in compact gardens; a thoughtful choice if you would like a distinctive yet easy-care rose.
