Caprice de Meilland ® Perfumella® – deep pink hybrid tea rose
Fragrant and classically elegant, Caprice de Meilland brings exhibition-style hybrid tea blooms into everyday gardens with a very strong, garden-filling perfume and high-centred, cut-rose form that suits vases as well as borders. Its bushy, upright habit stays compact enough for front gardens, while the vivid deep-pink colour holds well on the plant, fading only gently to softer tones at the petal edges. Own-root planting supports long-term longevity and steady regeneration, helping the rose cope reliably even where winter winds and wet spells demand good anchoring and drainage. Expect a structure that fills out over time, with Year 1 focused on roots, Year 2 on stronger shoots, and by Year 3 a full ornamental display of repeat-flowering blooms for dependable cuttings and welcoming front-of-house planting.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front garden focal point |
The upright hybrid tea form and large, high-centred flowers create an immediate sense of order and formality by the front path or entrance. Its compact spread suits typical UK front gardens, giving a single, easy-to-understand feature that looks considered without complex planting plans, ideal for the beginner. |
| Classic cut-flower row |
As a former exhibition hybrid tea, this variety produces long, straight stems with solitary, XL blooms perfect for regular cutting. Planting in a simple row along a sunny fence or path lets you pick armfuls of deep-pink flowers with a strong scent, offering reliable home-grown bouquets for the homeowner. |
| Small mixed border |
The mid-green, slightly glossy foliage and bushy habit allow it to sit neatly among perennials and grasses, giving height without overwhelming neighbours. Its repeat flowering provides splashes of deep pink through the season, keeping a tidy, well-defined structure attractive to the urban-gardener. |
| Container near seating area |
The intense fruity-rosy fragrance is best appreciated up close, so one plant in a large 40–50 litre container near a bench or terrace will perfume summer evenings. Container growing also keeps care straightforward and contained, appealing to the scent-lover. |
| Pairing with light, airy companions |
Fine-textured partners like low gypsophila or Mexican feather grass soften the formal flower shape, creating a balanced, cottage-style look while keeping maintenance moderate. The rose’s strong presence anchors these lighter plants, suiting the style-conscious. |
| Small group planting in front garden beds |
Planting 3–5 bushes at recommended spacing forms a compact, repeating block of colour that reads clearly from the street. Own-root plants knit together into a stable, long-lived clump requiring only occasional deadheading, reassuring for the busy-owner. |
| Sunny, sheltered rose border |
Caprice de Meilland prefers full sun and benefits from a spot with reasonable drainage and shelter, where it responds with good repeat flowering and rich colour. This suits typical family gardens wanting dependable performance without specialist techniques, attractive for the planner. |
| Feature rose for scented path |
Used at intervals along a main garden path, the strong perfume and prominent, deep-pink blooms create a scented route that feels special on everyday walks, even where coastal wind and rain make robust, well-anchored planting essential for the family-gardener. |
Styling ideas
- Elegant Axis – Plant a single Caprice de Meilland at the end of a straight path, underplanted with low lavender, to form a scented focal point – suited to homeowners who like classic structure.
- Cutting Corner – Dedicate a sunny corner bed to 3–5 bushes in a simple grid for regular cutting, edging with low catmint – ideal for hobby gardeners who enjoy arranging flowers indoors.
- Cottage Mix – Combine with airy gypsophila, soft grasses and pastel perennials to relax the formal blooms into a cottage look – perfect for style-focused beginners wanting charm with control.
- Patio Perfume – Grow one plant in a 40–50 litre container by seating, adding trailing thyme around the rim – for urban gardeners seeking maximum scent in minimal space.
- Front-Garden Rhythm – Repeat single plants along a low hedge or fence to create a tidy, rhythmic line of deep-pink flowers – appealing to families who want neat kerb appeal with few tasks.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as MEIsionver; marketed as Caprice de Meilland ® Perfumella® MEIsionver, with ARS exhibition name Caprice de Meilland for show and cut-flower use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alain Antoine Meilland, Meilland International, France, from (“Tino Rossi” × “Rendez-Vous”) × “Sonia”; introduced and registered in 1997 as a premium hybrid tea rose. |
| Awards and recognition |
Decorated in 1997 with major fragrance and garden awards, including multiple Prix du Parfum, a Gold Medal in Rome and Rose of the Year (Hamilton, New Zealand), underlining its scented quality. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, upright shrub reaching about 85–115 cm high and 40–60 cm wide, with dense, mid-green, slightly glossy foliage and moderate thorns; poor self-cleaning means spent blooms benefit from removal. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double (26–39 petals) XL flowers with classic high-centred, pointed buds on mainly solitary stems; good repeat-flowering habit with a reliable second flush under suitable conditions. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep rose-pink blooms, RHS 55B outer and 55A inner petals; dark pink buds open to glossy, vivid flowers that fade only slightly at the edges, retaining an essentially pink tone until petal drop. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, garden-filling scent with fruity, rosy character; best appreciated near seating or paths and notable enough for fragrance enthusiasts, though mainly ornamental rather than for cosmetic use. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasionally forms small, spherical red hips about 8–12 mm across; these are incidental ornamental features rather than a dominant characteristic and usually follow flowers left uncut. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated H7, hardy approximately to –21 to –18 °C (USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); shows medium resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust, appreciating basic monitoring and timely care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with well-drained soil; plant 45 cm apart for massing, 35 cm for hedging or 75 cm as a specimen, allowing for moderate maintenance, watering in dry spells and seasonal pruning. |
Caprice de Meilland ® Perfumella® offers intensely fragrant, deep-pink hybrid tea blooms on a compact, long-lived own-root plant that settles reliably into family gardens, making it a thoughtful choice if you value colour, scent and steady structure.
