COMTESSE DE PROVENCE – pink hybrid tea rose – Meilland
Premium own-root pharmaROSA® NEONATAL material for COMTESSE DE PROVENCE supports exclusive hybrid tea production where flower form and fragrance must justify a higher price point in premium container lines; its erect, bushy habit with dense mid-green foliage delivers a visually substantial plant in 5–7 L specifications, while the very double, rosette XL blooms and strong fruity-peachy scent underpin cut-flower and exhibition-hybrid-tea quality within retail and reseller concepts. Medium maintenance and occasional plant protection input suit professional nursery workflows that can integrate scheduled grooming of weakly self-cleaning flowers, and the own-root base supports long-term renewal capacity in propagation beds and collection plantings, contributing to stable crop planning and reduced replacement over time. With hardiness down to -21 °C and resistance to powdery mildew and black spot, it fits UK nursery networks that must perform reliably through colder, exposed sites and diverse logistics, while its remontant habit with an abundant second flowering provides sustained display value for thematic rose gardens and cultivar collections supplied via wholesale partners. The development arc from root establishment in year one, structural shoot building in year two and full ornamental expression from year three allows you to phase stock for retail-ready 5–7 L containers and collection-grade specimens with predictable capacity. As tray-grown, 3–6‑month own-root material, COMTESSE DE PROVENCE is straightforward to store, batch and schedule, supporting scalable nursery and integrator systems that require dependable hybrid tea material for wholesale programmes focused on flower quality and fragrance.
Usage options
Finished-product ideas
- Romantica® Signature 5–7 L Bush – Premium 5–7 L bush-trained plants with 3–5 canes showcasing XL, very double, fragrant blooms as exclusive hybrid tea centrepieces – high-end retail and specialist garden-centre assortments
- Cut-Flower & Exhibition Line – Bush-trained material selected for straight, erect stems and rosette form to support consumer cutting and exhibition hybrid tea use, offered in 5–7 L pots – exhibition-oriented retailers and rose specialists
- Collection-Grade Specimen – Taller, 130–170 cm specimens grown on in 40–50 L containers for thematic Romantica® and hybrid tea collections, emphasising colour nuance and scent – show gardens, display collections and premium landscapers
- Premium Bed & Border Rose – Medium-maintenance, bushy plants positioned as focal points for formal beds and mixed borders, built from own-root NEONATAL stock for durability – garden-centre programmes targeting discerning home gardeners
- Hybrid Tea Portfolio Anchor – Use as a flagship pink hybrid tea within a broader own-root hybrid tea range, leveraging year-on-year stability from NEONATAL material – nursery and wholesale growers building private-label rose portfolios
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as MEIbacus, marketed as COMTESSE DE PROVENCE Romantica® MEIbacus, with American Rose Society exhibition name COMTESSE DE PROVENCE for show and listing purposes. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alain Antoine Meilland in France from (‘Centenaire de Lourdes’ × ‘Duke of Windsor’) × ‘Regatta’; introduced by Meilland International in 2006 (France) and 2007 (USA), registration 2003 (US Plant Patent PP 13 860). |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Erect, bushy shrub reaching around 130–170 cm in height and 85–115 cm spread, with dense, mid-green, slightly glossy foliage and moderate prickliness providing a substantial framework for premium container and specimen production. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, solitary rosette blooms with 40+ petals and XL size around 3.5 inches, remontant with an abundant second flush, optimised for exhibition hybrid tea and cut-flower quality on well-structured bush-trained plants. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Warm salmon-toned mid-pink, ARS pb, RHS 36C–36A; buds pale salmon outside with richer pink inside, opening to mid-pink and fading to pale cream-rose or salmon, with colour lighter in warm dry weather and richer in cooler conditions. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, distinctly scented hybrid tea with pronounced fruity, peachy fragrance, adding sensory impact for premium retail and cut-flower use; very double form limits pollen access, so the cultivar is primarily ornamental in planting schemes. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasionally forms spherical orange-red hips around 10–14 mm in diameter; hip set is not a primary feature but may offer minor seasonal interest in certain plantings if spent blooms are not removed. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated medium overall, resistant to powdery mildew and black spot, medium against rust; hardy to approximately -21 to -18 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 3, USDA 6b), tolerating heat with regular watering during prolonged drought. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to flower beds, cut-flower use, containers and specimen roles; best as bush-trained plants with 3–5 strong framework canes, medium maintenance and occasional plant protection, with premium container production the recommended commercial route. |
COMTESSE DE PROVENCE MEIbacus combines premium flower quality, strong fragrance and a substantial bushy habit on a predictable, regenerative own-root base, making it a sound choice for nurseries wishing to plan capacity and discuss tailored premium container scheduling.
