Delset – pale pink hybrid tea rose – DELset
Versailles captures classic exhibition elegance in a pale pink hybrid tea that translates efficiently into premium container production and exclusive retail assortments. Its upright, bushy structure, dense glossy foliage and medium maintenance needs support reliable nursery scheduling, especially where repeat-flowering, large goblet blooms are required for high-value displays. Own-root pharmaROSA® NEONATAL material offers a stable propagation base for nursery networks aiming at homogeneous, replaceable stock over long cropping cycles; in typical UK schemes this supports thematic rose gardens and collection planting, while also coping convincingly with winter and wind in more exposed northern sites. The large, solitary flowers with light, sweet fragrance and strong form suit 5–7 L premium containers, and can be pushed on into 40–50 litre feature specimens for show gardens and curated rose collections. From a production perspective you gain predictable colour retention, controlled height for bench spacing, and an own-root development arc in which roots establish strongly in year one, framework shoots consolidate in year two, and full ornamental expression arrives from year three onwards. The cultivar’s verified identity and award-winning exhibition background underpin credibility for retail and reseller partners who depend on consistent, correctly named hybrid tea roses.
Usage options
Finished-product ideas
- Premium 5–7 L Versailles hybrid tea – Own-root bush-trained plants with 3–5 canes, finished in 5–7 L pots to showcase large solitary pale pink blooms and glossy foliage for exclusive retail benches – target audience/channel: premium garden centres and specialist resellers
- Collection-line “Versailles Garden” set – Curated batch of uniform plants from NEONATAL trays, positioned as a named collection element for thematic rose gardens and show-collection plantings – target audience/channel: public-realm suppliers and project-led nurseries
- 40–50 L feature specimen rose – Upscaled production from 5–7 L to 40–50 litre containers, using the upright structure and dense foliage to create statement specimens for display and long-term planting – target audience/channel: landscape wholesalers and show-garden contractors
- Exhibition-form hybrid tea line – Focus on solitary goblet flowers and colour stability to offer an exhibition-quality hybrid tea SKU within premium container ranges – target audience/channel: nurseries serving enthusiast retailers and specialist rose outlets
- Cold-hardy pale pink premium range – Position the H7 hardiness and stable own-root performance as a reliable pale pink option for cooler or exposed UK regions – target audience/channel: regional nursery networks and integrator purchasing teams
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as DELset with the American Rose Society exhibition name Versailles; commercial use as Delset pale pink hybrid tea rose DELset, verified authenticity for professional propagation. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by André Delbard-Chabert at Pépinières et Roseraies Georges Delbard, France, from complex parentage (Queen Elizabeth × Provence) × (Michèle Meilland × Bayadère); bred 1966 and introduced 1967. |
| Awards and recognition |
Gold Medals at Geneva New Rose Competition 1966 and Bagatelle Cut Rose Show 1966, Vermeil Medal at Lyon 1966, Silver Medal at Saverne 1966, and a Certificate as “The most fragrant rose”. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright bushy hybrid tea with 75–105 cm height and 50–70 cm spread, moderately thorny shoots and dense, glossy dark green foliage; supplied bush-trained with 3–5 strong framework canes for premium container production. |
| Flower morphology |
Large L-class solitary flowers on strong stems, double with 26–39 petals and a goblet to cup shape; repeat-flowering, with an especially abundant second flush supporting sustained ornamental and retail value. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Pale pink ARS LP, RHS 55C outer and 54D inner; buds powder pink, opening to uniform pale pink with silky sheen, then lightening to pastel tones with pearly white edges just before petal fall, with good colour retention overall. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Light, understated sweet rose fragrance that is noticeable but not overpowering, suitable for close-up viewing areas and retail displays where a refined scent is preferred over intense aromatic impact. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasional ovoid, egg-shaped hips produced, 8–12 mm in diameter and orange-red in colour; hips are sporadic rather than prolific and are not the primary ornamental focus of this hybrid tea cultivar. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Medium overall disease resistance; resistant to powdery mildew and black spot, with medium rust susceptibility, fitting programmes with periodic plant protection; hardy to -21 – -18 °C, RHS H7, Swedish Zone 3, USDA Zone 6b. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Own-root NEONATAL propagation suited to premium container production in 5–7 L pots and possible 40–50 litre specimens; medium maintenance level, average disease resistance, and occasional plant protection recommended for top-grade output. |
Delset Hybrid tea rose DELset combines exhibition-grade pale pink flower form, reliable cold hardiness and the predictable longevity of own-root production, making it a sound option to schedule into premium programmes where we can jointly plan capacities and timing.
