ANDRE LE NOTRE ® – pink hybrid tea rose – Meilland
Step onto your front path after rain and let ANDRE LE NOTRE ® surround you with pastel serenity: large, cupped blooms in soft pink, washed almost ivory at the edges, carry a fruity, well-scented perfume that lingers in the moist evening air. Bred as a classic hybrid tea, it offers generous repeat flowering and upright structure, ideal for narrow London terraces where every plant must earn its place and cope with blustery showers and cool winds without losing its poise. In a modest border or a sizeable container, its long, straight flower stems give you reliable cutting material for the house, while own-root planting supports a long lifespan and steady regeneration after harder pruning. Planted in peat-free compost with good drainage, the bush gradually settles in: in the first year it concentrates on roots, in the second it builds confident shoots, and by the third you can expect its full romantic impact in your everyday garden routine.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Feature rose for a small front garden |
The upright hybrid tea habit and XL, pastel pink flowers create a refined focal point against brick or railings without overwhelming a narrow plot, giving clear structure and romance in a compact footprint for the urban gardener |
| Cutting patch or dedicated rose bed |
Long, straight stems and very double exhibition blooms make this cultivar well suited to cutting for vases, extending enjoyment indoors while keeping a formally styled rose bed productive and elegant for the home florist |
| Fragrance-led seating or coffee corner |
The strongly sweet, fruity perfume is most noticeable near nose height, so positioning close to a bench or doorstep lets you appreciate the scent on still evenings, adding a daily ritual of aroma for the sensory seeker |
| Own-root long-term specimen in large container |
Grown in a 40–50 litre pot with peat-free, well-drained compost, the own-root plant forms a stable framework that responds well to renewal pruning over many seasons, supporting a reliable, long-lived display for the balcony owner |
| Structured planting in formal front borders |
The moderate height and clear, upright framework allow regular spacing along paths or facades, giving rhythm and formality while leaving space beneath for low, drought-tolerant companions, suiting the orderly planner |
| Rain-aware, well-drained urban beds |
In city gardens where downpours can linger on heavy soil, planting into raised, well-drained beds with grit or organic matter helps the bush cope with repeated wet spells typical of many UK streets, supporting the climate-conscious owner |
| Colour-themed “romantic pastel” schemes |
The warm, powdery pink tones combine gracefully with whites, creams and soft mauves, creating a balanced, harmonious palette that reads as calm rather than showy, especially valued by the subtle stylist |
| Regenerative long-horizon planting plan |
As an own-root rose, it can regenerate from the base after hard weather or pruning, allowing you to plan for gradual thickening and refreshment of the bush over many years with minimal replacement for the future-focused gardener |
Styling ideas
- Front-Door Welcome – Flank a terrace front step with two large containers of ANDRE LE NOTRE ® underplanted with trailing ivy and white lobelia – ideal for design-conscious city homeowners
- Romantic Border – Combine with lavender, nepeta and soft grasses to frame a narrow path, letting pastel blooms float above a hazy base – suited to relaxed family gardeners
- Cutting Row – Plant a short row in a sunny back garden strip for regular vase material, backing with dark evergreen holly for contrast – perfect for home flower arrangers
- Pastel Courtyard – In a paved courtyard, group this rose in a 50 litre pot with pale stone and soft lighting to create an evening perfume corner – appealing to busy urban professionals
- Formal Rhythm – Space several plants evenly along a front boundary, interplanted with low sage or dwarf box alternatives for a classical, low-maintenance outline – best for symmetry-loving planners
Technical cultivar profile
| Property | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose from the Romantica® collection; registered as MEIceppus, traded as ANDRE LE NOTRE ® Romantica®, also known as exhibition name Betty White™ in some show contexts. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alain Meilland (Meilland International, France) from Pink Panther × Charleston ’88 × Yakimour; bred 2000, introduced and registered 2001 via Meilland Richardier. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated exhibition hybrid tea: multiple 2000 awards including gold medals at Rome and Kortrijk, several fragrance prizes at Monza and Geneva, and a popular vote award at Monza. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright habit, 100–140 cm tall, 65–95 cm spread, moderately thorny, with moderately dense, glossy dark green foliage; spent blooms usually need deadheading due to weak self-cleaning. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, cupped XL blooms with 40+ petals and a defined central cone; mostly solitary exhibition-type flowers, strongly remontant with a generous second flush in suitable conditions. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Soft, warm pastel pink with subtle peach shading (RHS 36C–36D); buds creamy peach-pink, blooms lighten towards ivory-pink as they open, with weaker colour retention in full sun before fading. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, well-scented hybrid tea perfume combining sweet and fruity notes; fragrance often intensifies in humid, still air, making it particularly rewarding near doors, windows or seating spots. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip set is generally sparse due to the very double flowers; where pollinated, it forms small, spherical red hips around 10–14 mm, with modest ornamental effect in most seasons. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated to approximately -21 to -18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); disease resistance moderate to weak, notably susceptible to rust, so timely protection and hygiene are advisable. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil; regular watering during dry spells and a preventive spray regime help maintain foliage; plant 50–55 cm apart in groups or 90 cm as a specimen. |
ANDRE LE NOTRE ® offers fragrant pastel blooms, elegant structure and a regenerative own-root habit that rewards patient gardeners seeking a long-lived, romantic rose for everyday enjoyment; consider it carefully for your next focal planting.
