Lions Charity – Romantic shrub rose propagation material for premium UK production
As a Romantic shrub with nostalgic flower form, Lions Charity offers professional growers a premium own-root propagation option for exclusive, container-finished production. The very double, cluster-flowering, salmon-pink blooms combine flower quality, form and a sweet, fruity fragrance, supporting premium positioning in retail and reseller channels. Bush-trained with 3–5 strong framework canes and a naturally bushy habit, it builds dense, mid-green foliage stands suited to flower beds, low hedges and solitary display. Onward production in 5–7 L containers enables a clearly differentiated, finished line for thematic gardens and collection-style plantings, while own-root longevity and regeneration support homogeneous, low-replacement stocks over time. Its remontant habit with an abundant second flowering provides extended ornamental value through the season, and in UK conditions it performs reliably where winters can be cold and winds persistent, giving a dependable base for nursery propagation beds and wholesale ranges. Planned as tray-grown, 3–6‑month rooted cuttings, Lions Charity fits neatly into professional production logistics: year 1 is root establishment, year 2 canopy build, and by year 3 stands express their full ornamental potential in park, group and collection contexts.
Usage options
Finished-product ideas
- Premium 5–7 L Romantic shrub – Own-root, bush-trained shrubs in 5–7 L pots emphasising large, very double salmon-pink blooms and strong fragrance for an exclusive bench presence – target audience/channel: retail / reseller
- Thematic Lions Charity feature piece – Story-driven containers highlighting the charitable name and nostalgic flower form, positioned within Romantic rose collections using uniform, own-root material – target audience/channel: retail / reseller
- Low hedge module pack – Consistent, bushy 5–7 L plants configured as repeatable hedge elements, leveraging dense foliage and moderate height for edging and boundary concepts – target audience/channel: retail / reseller
- Park and project shrub line – Robust, own-root shrubs grown on to 5–7 L, offered as reliable modules for parks and public projects where hardiness and long-term stand stability are central – target audience/channel: retail / reseller
- Cut-and-garden dual-purpose rose – Premium containers marketed for both ornamental use and fragrant cutting, utilising repeat flowering and large, very double blooms to broaden end-customer applications – target audience/channel: retail / reseller
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Current trade name Lions Charity Romantic rose VISmelgo; registered cultivar name VISmelgo; shrub rose exhibition category; part of the Romantic rose collection; ARS exhibition name Lions Charity. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Martin Vissers in Belgium from cross ‘Melglory’ × ‘Golden Celebration’; breeding completed 2019, registration 2019, market introduction 2020; breeding and marketing via Viva International BVBA. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy shrub with dense, mid-green, matt foliage; height around 65–95 cm with 60–85 cm spread; moderately thorny shoots; supplied bush-trained with 3–5 strong framework canes for structured shrub form. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very double, cup-shaped blooms with more than 40 petals; cluster-flowering habit; remontant with abundant second flush, supporting repeated decorative display over the season in suitable conditions. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Warm salmon-pink with cream base; outer petals RHS 36B, inner 158C; strong salmon tone at opening, fading to pastel salmon–cream yet remaining recognisably coloured through the flowering phase. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Pronounced sweet, fruity fragrance with a strong rose character; heavily double flowers reduce pollen and stamen access, making it more ornamental than pollinator-oriented in mixed planting schemes. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip formation generally slight; occasionally forms small, spherical orange-red hips around 8–12 mm diameter, adding modest seasonal interest without dominating the plant’s overall ornamental effect. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Medium disease resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; hardy to approximately -21 to -18 °C (USDA 6b, RHS H7, Swedish zone 3); tolerates heat with regular watering during extended drought. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited for flower beds, group plantings, solitary use, low hedges, cut flowers and parks; medium maintenance with occasional pest and disease control; recommended as a premium container product in 5–7 L pots. |
Lions Charity offers large, fragrant nostalgic blooms, a bushy, compact shrub habit and long-lived, predictable own-root performance for premium container and project production; please contact us to align on volumes, timing and ongoing propagation needs.