METROPOLITAN ® – white hybrid tea rose – Meilland
Elegant and statuesque, METROPOLITAN ® brings a refined, snow‑white focal point to family gardens, combining classic hybrid‑tea blooms with a pleasantly sweet, fruity fragrance. Bred for exhibition and cutting, its XL, high‑centred flowers appear repeatedly through the season, ideal when you want reliable colour in a compact bed near the house. In typical British gardens with changeable weather and occasional strong winds, it performs best in a warm, sheltered, well‑drained spot offering good air movement and protection from prolonged rain. As an own‑root plant in the pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2‑litre format, it settles quickly and forms a naturally upright habit over time, giving you a stable, long‑lived framework for future years. Planted once and cared for steadily, it allows you to enjoy the natural arc from strong roots in year one, fuller shoots in year two and complete ornamental impact by year three. With regular feeding, watering and timely deadheading, this rose becomes a reliable centrepiece, supplying refined cut stems for the home while anchoring a classic front‑garden or cottage‑style border.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front‑garden focal point by the entrance |
The tall, upright habit and large, high‑centred flowers make METROPOLITAN ® a natural choice for a single, eye‑catching specimen near the front door, where its refined form can be appreciated at close range by visitors and passers‑by who favour statement. |
| Small mixed cottage border |
Its pure white blooms and dark green foliage fit effortlessly into cottage‑style mixes with herbaceous perennials, tying together varied colours and textures while retaining a calm, ordered look for gardeners who enjoy gentle structure within romance. |
| Cutting patch or dedicated rose bed |
Bred as an exhibition hybrid tea, it produces long‑stemmed, solitary blooms ideal for vases and indoor arrangements, rewarding those who like to grow their own cut flowers and value dependable stems for arranging. |
| Pairing on either side of a path or gate |
Planting two or four plants symmetrically along a path creates a formal, welcoming effect, with repeat flushes of snow‑white flowers guiding the eye, well suited to homeowners seeking balanced, classical structure with seasonal drama. |
| Feature rose among evergreen shrubs |
Placed against a backdrop of dark evergreens, the luminous white flowers stand out strongly, providing contrast and seasonal interest for those wanting a smart, low‑clutter look where a few well‑chosen plants deliver high visual impact. |
| Container on a terrace or paved courtyard |
In a large container of at least 40–50 litres with good drainage, METROPOLITAN ® can be enjoyed close to seating, where its fragrance and flowers can be appreciated by urban gardeners prioritising flexibility and movable features. |
| Sheltered, sunny spot in wind‑prone gardens |
Positioned where buildings or hedges break the prevailing wind and the soil drains freely after heavy rain, it can develop steadily and flower well, appealing to those in breezier areas seeking reliable roses despite challenging conditions. |
| Small group planting for a unified white theme |
Groups of three to five bushes at the recommended spacing create a coherent block of white colour that reads as one larger plant, ideal for beginners wanting simple, tidy planting that looks considered without complex planning. |
Styling ideas
- Classic entrance pair – Flank a front path with two METROPOLITAN ® bushes underplanted with low lavender for scent and formality – for homeowners who like a smart, traditional welcome.
- Cottage weave – Mix METROPOLITAN ® with Coreopsis grandiflora and soft nepeta to weave white through yellows and blues – for cottage‑garden enthusiasts who enjoy relaxed harmony.
- White‑on‑green calm – Plant against dark yew or holly, adding white foxgloves for vertical rhythm – for those seeking a restrained, elegant, low‑colour palette.
- Patio showcase – Grow one plant in a 50‑litre terracotta pot with trailing thyme at the base – for balcony and courtyard gardeners who want portable luxury.
- Cut‑flower corner – Dedicate a sunny bed to METROPOLITAN ® with repeat‑flowering clematis woven behind – for hobby florists who like to harvest from their own garden.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose; registered as MEIfaissel, marketed as METROPOLITAN ® – white hybrid tea rose – Meilland; ARS exhibition name Metropolitan for show and cut‑flower use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alain A. Meilland (Meilland International SA, France) from ‘White Knight’ × (‘Karen Blixen’ × ‘Lady Sylvia’); bred and registered in 2004, introduced commercially after 2004. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated in Rome rose trials 2003, receiving a Gold Medal, a specific Fragrance Award and the Journalists’ Prize, confirming both ornamental and scent qualities. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright hybrid tea bush, 100–140 cm tall and 55–85 cm wide, with dense, slightly glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickles; spent flowers may remain and benefit from regular deadheading. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double XL blooms with 26–39 petals, solitary on long stems; high‑centred, pointed buds of classic cut‑rose form; remontant habit, with a particularly abundant second flush in suitable conditions. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Flowers open bright snow‑white with a subtle ivory centre; petals show a silky matte sheen and only gently shift towards creamy white, retaining a predominantly pure white effect through most of the bloom life. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Medium‑strength, pleasantly sweet, fruity scent that is noticeable without being overpowering; fragrance quality contributed to its recognition in international trials and enhances its merit as a cut flower. |
| Hip characteristics |
Produces small hips in moderate quantities; rounded fruits typically 0–5 mm in diameter, of minor ornamental impact and generally secondary to the display of repeat white flowers. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, Swedish Zone 3, USDA 6b); disease prone, particularly very sensitive to black spot and powdery mildew, requiring regular, proactive plant protection measures. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with fertile, well‑drained soil; plant masses at 50 cm, hedges at 40 cm, solitary at 75 cm; maintenance level high, with feeding, watering and systematic spraying important to maintain foliage. |
METROPOLITAN ® – white hybrid tea rose – Meilland offers elegant high‑centred blooms, refined fragrance and long‑term structure from an own‑root plant, making it a considered choice for gardeners planning a lasting feature.
