Gina Lollobrigida ® – golden yellow hybrid tea rose – MEIlivar
Premium own-root pharmaROSA® NEONATAL material of Gina Lollobrigida® gives professional producers a reliable hybrid tea base for building exclusive, flower-quality driven ranges, with tray-grown, 3–6‑month‑old cuttings that are easy to schedule into nursery beds and 5–7 L containers. Its upright, medium-tall structure and moderately dense, mid‑green foliage support visually clean, specimen-grade plants, while strong citrusy fragrance and very full, XL blooms align with high-end exhibition hybrid tea expectations. The long-lasting, intense golden-yellow colour holds well through opening, supporting consistent retail presentation, and own-root production underpins long-term longevity, regeneration and low replacement in collection and show-garden contexts. Across UK regions it fits schemes where winter and wind tolerance are relevant without compromising ornamental quality, and as stocks mature from root establishment through structural shoot development to full ornamental expression over three seasons, you gain a scalable, predictable base for premium, exclusive hybrid tea ranges.
Usage options
Finished-product ideas
- Premium 5–7 L hybrid tea showcase – NEONATAL bush-trained plants finished in 5–7 L containers, highlighting XL, fully double golden-yellow blooms and strong fragrance for an exclusive, flower-form focused bench – target: premium retail / reseller lines.
- Golden exhibition collection block – grouped Gina Lollobrigida® units in uniform 7 L pots for thematic and show gardens, leveraging reliable colour retention and upright habit for clean hybrid tea rows – target: public gardens and specialist rose collections.
- Cut-stem capable garden hybrid tea – 5–7 L containers grown to emphasise long, straight stems and single, very full flowers, suitable for both garden use and home cutting – target: retailers serving hobby exhibitors and enthusiasts.
- Large-format feature containers – selected own-root plants up-potted to 40–50 litre tubs for entrances and formal terraces, capitalising on structural height and strong fragrance for impact – target: landscapers and project-based wholesale.
- Hybrid tea colour-segmented range – integrate Gina Lollobrigida® as the golden-yellow pillar within a broader hybrid tea assortment, exploiting stable colour and premium flower quality – target: nurseries building branded, exclusive rose ranges.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as MEIlivar, traded as Gina Lollobrigida ® Classics MEIlivar, exhibition category cut flower and exhibition hybrid tea, ARS exhibition name Gina Lollobrigida. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alain Meilland, Meilland International, France, in 1986, from ‘Laura’ × ‘Parador’®, registered 1990 with US Plant Patent 7 541, introduced after 1990 via Meilland and Star Roses. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, medium-tall habit 110–150 cm high, 75–105 cm spread, moderately dense mid‑green slightly glossy foliage, moderately thorny shoots, recommended bush-trained with 3–5 strong framework canes. |
| Flower morphology |
Hybrid tea type with single flowers per stem, very full, 40+ petals, XL size from about 3.5 inches, cup-shaped with pronounced medium rise, remontant with abundant repeat flowering on established plants. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Warm, vibrant golden-yellow flowers, deep yellow-green to gold buds, outer petals RHS 12B and inner 12A, colour retention very good, fading only moderately while remaining yellow without pinkish or brownish tones. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strongly scented hybrid tea with a fresh, citrusy character, providing a well-scented rose suitable for premium sensory-focused plant ranges, not specifically indicated for soap or cosmetic extraction uses. |
| Hip characteristics |
Rose hip set generally sparse due to very double flowers, occasional orange-red ellipsoid hips 10–14 mm in diameter may form, adding minor autumn interest without significant impact on ornamental value. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Moderate disease resistance overall, black spot resistant, powdery mildew and rust moderate; winter hardy to around −15 to −12 °C, RHS H6, Swedish Zone 2, USDA Zone 7b, with moderate heat and drought tolerance needing irrigation in dry spells. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to cut flower, flower bed, specimen and container use, medium maintenance needs with occasional pest and disease control, NEONATAL own-root material recommended into a premium container route, particularly 5–7 litre targets. |
Gina Lollobrigida ® MEIlivar offers premium flower quality, stable golden-yellow colour and strong fragrance on long-lived own-root plants that support predictable capacity and low replacement, making it a sound candidate to discuss for upcoming schedules and volumes.
