Scentimental – WEKplapep bedding floribunda rose
Imagine stepping outside for a short stroll after rain, the air clear and cool, and finding Scentimental flickering in soft light – cream petals streaked with ruby, a gently spicy fragrance drifting above glossy foliage. This bushy floribunda carries clusters of flowers again and again through our shorter Irish summers, shrugging off breezy, damp conditions and coping reliably with persistent rainfall when planted in well-drained soil. Its good self-cleaning habit keeps beds naturally tidy with minimal deadheading, while the medium-sized, rounded shrub shape is easy to place in a border or small front garden. As an own-root plant it offers reassuring longevity and steady performance, building roots in the first year, stronger top growth in the second, and full ornamental presence by the third for lasting impact.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front garden feature beside the path |
The distinctive red-and-cream striped blooms draw the eye even from the pavement, giving a playful, “girly” cottage feel to a narrow Dublin terrace or suburban front garden. Its rounded, bushy habit keeps the planting looking composed rather than unruly, ideal for those wanting easy charm close to the door, especially beginners. |
| Mixed cottage-style border |
Planted at roughly 100 cm spacing as a specimen in a mixed border, this floribunda repeats well through summer, threading cheerful colour between herbaceous perennials. Good self-cleaning means fewer spent blooms to pick off at weekends, letting you enjoy its performance in a relaxed way, well suited to a time-pressed homeowner. |
| Informal low hedge along a drive |
At 55 cm spacing it forms a loose, colourful edging that flowers in generous clusters. Medium-height growth and dense foliage give a soft, green backdrop when between flushes, while the striped flowers provide personality without demanding fussy pruning, a practical choice for a busy urbanite. |
| Feature container on a patio or balcony |
In a sturdy 40–50 litre pot with drainage, its compact, bushy habit and continuous clusters of blooms offer a long season of colour where ground space is limited. Medium maintenance needs mean regular watering and occasional feeding are enough to keep it performing well, appealing to a casual gardener. |
| Small family back garden flower bed |
This variety copes well with typical Irish garden realities, from breezy days to regular showers, provided the soil drains reasonably. Self-cleaning clusters help keep the bed neat between visits outside, and the gently spicy scent adds interest at child-height, supporting a relaxed, low-effort family. |
| Own-root planting for long-term structure |
As an own-root shrub, it does not rely on a graft, so it regenerates reliably after hard pruning or weather damage and maintains its characteristic striped blooms over many years. That makes it a sound long-term choice for modest beds where each plant must earn its place for a practical planner. |
| Heat-exposed, sunny spot |
Good heat tolerance allows it to handle reflective warmth beside a south-facing wall or paved area, as long as you water during prolonged dry spells. Foliage remains reasonably healthy with standard care, avoiding excessive fuss while still giving clusters of flowers for the scent-loving owner. |
| Decorative cutting patch in a cottage garden |
The long-stemmed clusters of generously sized, double, striped blooms make charming, informal indoor arrangements. Regular cutting encourages new growth and further flowering, turning a small cutting corner into a rewarding, steady source of vases for the house, pleasing a creatively minded enthusiast. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-Romantic – Combine with soft pink geraniums and lavender for a nostalgic, feminine border that highlights the striped blooms – ideal for lovers of traditional cottage gardens.
- Bold-Contrast – Underplant with Rudbeckia and purple salvia to intensify the red and cream flowers and create a lively summer picture – perfect for colour-seeking homeowners.
- Front-Door – Flank a path with repeated Scentimental and low catmint for scent and pattern that frame the entrance – suited to urban terrace residents.
- Natural-Drift – Mix in loose groups with Verbena bonariensis for airy height above the rounded shrubs, softening fences and walls – great for relaxed, nature-leaning gardeners.
- Container-Focus – Plant one shrub in a 50 litre pot with trailing thyme and white lobelia to echo the cream striping – a good option for balcony and patio dwellers.
Technical cultivar profile
| Attribute |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bedding shrub rose, registered as WEKplapep, marketed as Scentimental; ARS exhibition name Scentimental, premium silver merit rating within the antoniaROSE ORIGINAL 2-litre own-root range. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Thomas F. Carruth for Weeks Roses, USA; cross of ‘Playboy’ × ‘Peppermint Twist’; bred 1996, introduced and registered 1997, later selected for reliable garden performance in Atlantic European conditions. |
| Awards and recognition |
All-America Rose Selections (AARS) winner 1997, indicating strong combined garden qualities in bloom, growth and overall impact under independent trial conditions across a range of climates. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, rounded shrub 80–120 cm tall and 75–110 cm wide, with moderately thorny stems and dense, slightly glossy medium- to dark-green foliage giving good ground coverage and an attractive framework when not in flower. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, 7–10 cm, double, cup-shaped blooms in clusters, with 26–39 petals; floribunda flowering habit gives regular flushes, remontant with abundant second and subsequent flowerings over the season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Red-white bicolour, ARS RB; RHS 59A and 155C; cream-white base with irregular raspberry-red streaks, fading to a paler, porcelain-like pink and cream mix as flowers age, creating constantly shifting colour effects. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Medium-strength scent with slightly piquant, spicy character; noticeable on still, mild days without being overpowering, adding sensory interest along paths, seating areas and frequently used garden spaces. |
| Hip characteristics |
Low hip set due to double blooms; where formed, small spherical red hips 8–12 mm may appear late season, usually scattered and ornamental rather than a dominant feature of the plant. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −26 to −23 °C (RHS H7, USDA 5b, Swedish Zone 4); medium resistance to black spot, mildew and rust, generally manageable with good hygiene and, if needed, occasional targeted treatments. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil; avoid waterlogging on heavy clay by improving drainage and mulching; plant 65 cm apart in beds, 55 cm for hedges, or 100 cm as specimens; suits large containers 40–50 litres. |
Scentimental offers distinctive striped blooms, generous repeat flowering and a dependable own-root habit for long-term structure, making it a thoughtful choice for Irish gardens where you prefer beauty with modest effort.
