CARINA® – pink hybrid tea rose - Meilland
Classic hybrid tea form, a clear mid-pink colour and a full, strong rose fragrance make Carina® an elegant yet practical choice for an everyday family garden. This upright rose builds a compact, well-shaped bush that suits small beds, around-the-house borders and traditional front gardens, while its ADR-level disease resistance keeps maintenance low. As a once-blooming variety it offers a concentrated summer display of large, exhibition-style flowers that hold their hue well, even in strong sun and exposed, breezy sites where good air movement helps against persistent humidity and fungal pressure. Supplied as a securely rooted, own-root plant, it settles reliably, forming a long-lived, balanced structure that you can prune quite flexibly to fit both formal lines and relaxed cottage-style schemes, with ornamental value building steadily over the first three years.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front garden focal point by the path or gate |
Carina® produces large, high-centred, florist-style blooms that read clearly from the pavement, giving a smart, classic welcome without needing complex care. Its upright habit keeps the plant tidy and easy to underplant, ideal where you want strong impact from a single, well-chosen rose for beginners. |
| Small mixed border with perennials and shrubs |
The compact height and 50–70 cm spread allow Carina® to slot neatly among perennials without overwhelming them, while its once-a-year peak creates a defined summer highlight. Own-root vigour means it knits in reliably with other plants over time for homeowners. |
| Low-maintenance flower bed in family gardens |
ADR certification and high resistance to black spot, mildew and rust mean less spraying and fewer worries in typical British weather. Even with busy schedules, simple watering and a light annual prune are usually enough to keep the bed healthy for urbanites. |
| Seasonal pink feature in a cottage-style border |
The clear mid-pink colour and classic hybrid tea form combine well with loose cottage planting, providing structure amid informal companions. Once the main flush is over, the neat framework and dark foliage continue to support the border for stylists. |
| Hedging row or repeated accent along a drive |
Regular spacing at 50–60 cm creates a rhythm of matching bushes that flower together, forming a single, coordinated display. Own-root plants anchor well and build a robust line that responds uniformly to your preferred level of pruning for planners. |
| Deep bed or raised border in heavier soils |
Carina® copes well when planting into improved or raised spots over heavier clays, rewarding decent drainage and watering with dependable establishment. This makes it suitable for many British gardens that have challenging ground yet still seek refinement for families. |
| Large container on terrace, patio or balcony |
Planted in a 40–50 litre or larger container with quality compost, its upright habit and single main flush provide a contained burst of colour and fragrance near seating areas. Once roots fill the pot, it becomes a stable, long-lived feature for balconiers. |
| Cutting corner for home-arranged roses |
The solitary, high-centred blooms and long, straight stems lend themselves to cutting for vases during the main flowering period, allowing you to bring classic, strongly scented roses indoors without relying on florists, an appealing option for enthusiasts. |
Styling ideas
- COTTAGE RIBBON – Run Carina® along a path and weave between clumps of calamint and obedient plant for a pink-and-soft-pastel cottage look – ideal for romantic traditionalists.
- FORMAL ACCENT – Use single specimens at corners of a small lawn, underplanted with low grey Artemisia to set off the clear pink blooms – suited to structured front gardens.
- SUMMER PANEL – Create a rectangular bed of Carina® backed by dark green shrubs, for one strong, once-a-year flowering statement – perfect for those who like defined seasonal drama.
- SCENTED TERRACE – Grow one plant in a 50 litre tub by seating, combining with trailing seasonal bedding at the rim – good for balconies and compact patios.
- PINK HARMONY – Mix Carina® in a border with white and lilac perennials to soften its vivid pink, maintaining a calm, cohesive palette – appealing to colour-conscious gardeners.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as MEIchim, marketed as Carina® Hybrid tea rose MEIchim; ARS exhibition name Carina, a female given name used for classic garden and cut-flower purposes. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alain Meilland, Meilland International, France, from ‘White Knight’ × (‘Happiness’ × ‘Independence’); introduced 1963 with USPTO patent following in 1964 via Conard-Pyle in the USA. |
| Awards and recognition |
Genoa First Prize in 1966 for ornamental and garden performance, plus ADR certification from the German General Rose Committee in 1966, confirming strong health and reliable garden value. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright hybrid tea shrub, typically 80–110 cm tall with 50–70 cm spread; moderately dense dark green foliage, moderate prickles, and partly self-cleaning flowers that benefit from occasional deadheading. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, high-centred, pointed-budded hybrid tea blooms around 2.75–3.95 inches, solitary on stems, with more than 40 petals and a very double, florist-style form ideal for cutting and show use. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Clear, vivid mid-pink (RHS 55B outer, 55C inner), excellent colour retention; deep buds open to bright pink, later softening to a slightly powder-pink tone before petals finally pale and fall. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, classic rose fragrance that is noticeable at a distance, typical of traditional hybrid tea roses; dense petal structure limits nectar access, so it is not rated highly for pollinator value. |
| Hip characteristics |
Due to very double blooms, hips are sparse; when present, they are small, spherical, orange-red, usually 10–14 mm across, adding occasional late-season interest without dominating the plant. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Good resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C (H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); tolerates warmth if adequately watered, but dislikes prolonged drought. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to beds, borders, parks and urban greens; plant 50–90 cm apart depending on effect; prefers moist, well-drained soil, will take partial shade, with a light annual prune and regular feeding. |
CARINA® – pink hybrid tea rose - Meilland offers classic exhibition blooms, strong fragrance and reliable disease resistance on a long-lived own-root framework, making it a thoughtful addition if you enjoy refined roses with straightforward care.
