BETTINA™ 78 – salmon-pink hybrid tea rose
In a compact London front garden where every square metre must work hard, BETTINA™ 78 brings classic hybrid tea elegance with a warm, salmon-pink glow that stands out even on grey days. Its upright habit and medium height make it easy to place along a path or near a doorstep, providing refined, high-centred blooms for cutting without overwhelming a smaller space. The medium, clearly noticeable fragrance has a fresh, fruity character, creating the feeling of walking a narrow path in post-rain air that is quietly perfumed rather than overpowering. Own-root vitality means this 2-litre rose establishes steadily and is capable of regenerating from the base after pruning or weather damage, giving you a long-lived, reliable plant rather than a short-term display. In the first year it concentrates on rooting, in the second you see stronger shoots, and by the third it reaches its full ornamental presence with more abundant repeat flowering. Medium, balanced care needs suit hobby gardeners who are happy to deadhead and water in dry spells, but who do not wish to manage a demanding show bench collection. Its medium disease resistance is well adapted to typical British humidity, supporting healthy foliage when combined with good air circulation and basic hygiene. Planted in well-prepared, free-draining soil that copes confidently with wetter spells and heavier showers, BETTINA™ 78 rewards you with a sustainable, long-term feature rose that feels quietly luxurious yet remains realistic for busy urban owners.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front-garden focal point by the doorway |
The upright, medium-tall habit gives a tidy, defined presence that frames a doorway or path without blocking windows, while the high‑centred, salmon‑pink blooms look refined in a compact urban frontage – ideal for the style-conscious homeowner. |
| Mixed border in a family garden |
Moderately dense, bronze‑green foliage and repeat flowering make it a reliable “anchor” plant in a mixed border, pairing easily with perennials for long seasonal interest without needing complex pruning – reassuring for the time-limited gardener. |
| Feature rose in a large container |
The well-branched, upright structure performs well in a 40–50 litre pot, where roots have room to develop and the own‑root form builds long-term stability, suiting balconies and paved front gardens for the space-aware city-dweller. |
| Cut flower and home display |
High‑centred, pointed buds and medium-sized, double blooms on straight stems are excellent for cutting, providing a flow of classic, coral‑orange roses for vases without relying on florists – attractive for the indoor-decoration enthusiast. |
| Long-term structural planting |
Own‑root growth allows the plant to regenerate from the base after hard pruning or weather damage, supporting a long lifespan and stable ornamental value as the garden matures, which appeals to the forward-planning planner. |
| Low-input, realistic maintenance scheme |
Medium maintenance needs with weak self‑cleaning mean simple, regular deadheading and watering in dry spells are usually sufficient, especially in a typical British season with intermittent rain, suiting the pragmatic, busy beginner. |
| Rain-resilient small garden planting |
Good colour retention and robust blooms cope well with the changeable, breezy weather of many UK gardens, making it a sound choice where rain and wind regularly test flowers and foliage for the weather-conscious buyer. |
| Balanced health in humid conditions |
Medium overall disease resistance with particular strength against powdery mildew and black spot provides dependable performance when combined with free‑draining soil that handles heavier, sudden rain showers well for the sustainability-minded urbanite. |
Styling ideas
- Doorstep-Drama – Plant a single BETTINA™ 78 in a tall, 50‑litre container by the front door, underplanted with trailing ivy to frame the upright form – for design-led terrace entrances.
- Coral-Ribbon – Line a narrow path with evenly spaced plants and soft grasses, letting the warm coral blooms guide the eye – for those wanting gentle structure in compact gardens.
- Sunset-Border – Combine with apricot and cream perennials such as Gypsophila repens ‘Knuddel’ to echo the salmon-pink tones – for romantic, dusk-friendly borders.
- Cutting-Corner – Group two or three plants with simple foliage plants to create a home cutting patch, keeping blooms accessible for regular vases – for home-floristry fans.
- Bronze-Contrast – Set BETTINA™ 78 against slate or dark fencing so its bronze-green leaves and coral flowers stand out – for contemporary urban spaces.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, florists rose; registered as MEIbrico, marketed as BETTINA™ 78 hybrid tea rose MEIbrico; ARS exhibition name Bettina 78; consumer own-root 2‑litre container form. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred in France in 1974 by Alain André Meilland, Louisette Meilland Paolino and Michèle Meilland-Richardier; complex parentage from ‘Jolie Madame’, ‘Sunlight’, ‘Lady Elgin’ and ‘Dr. A. J. Verhage’. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, hybrid tea habit reaching about 120–160 cm tall and 70–90 cm wide, with moderately dense, slightly glossy bronze‑green foliage and moderate prickliness; suited to borders and containers. |
| Flower morphology |
Medium-sized, double, high-centred hybrid tea blooms with 26–39 petals, borne mainly singly on stems; remontant with a strong second flush, classic pointed buds ideal for cutting and exhibition-style displays. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Warm salmon-pink petals with coral-orange tones; buds deep orange outside, soft salmon within; colour lightens as flowers open, outer petals becoming pale pinkish-orange while inner petals tend towards peach and apricot. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Medium-strength, clearly noticeable fragrance with a fresh, fruity character; distinct enough to enjoy near paths, seating or doors without becoming overpowering in smaller gardens or enclosed courtyards. |
| Hip characteristics |
Limited hip set due to double blooms and regular deadheading, but occasionally forms small, ellipsoid orange-red hips about 10–14 mm across, adding modest late-season interest when left unpruned. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated H6 RHS, hardy to about -15 to -12 °C and USDA 7b; moderate heat tolerance needing watering in prolonged dry spells; medium disease resistance with good tolerance to mildew and black spot, rust more variable. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in sunny, free-draining soil with regular deadheading; medium maintenance, occasional plant protection; space 50–90 cm depending on use, or grow one plant in a 40–50 litre container for best long-term structure. |
BETTINA™ 78 offers classic, fragrant salmon-pink blooms on a manageable, upright plant that matures into a long-lived feature, and its own-root form supports steady regeneration and reliable structure for those considering a lasting garden investment.
