Metropolitan ®

Hybrid tea rose

MEIfaissel – Alain A. Meilland

Petals in a pure, snow-white tone with a delicate, silky matte sheen. - hybrid tea rose - medium-strength, well-scented rose - pleasantly sweet, fruity aroma

– Pure snow‑white hybrid tea blooms.
– Large, high‑centred flowers with classic form.
– Medium, fruity fragrance, pleasantly sweet.
– Excellent for premium, long‑stem cut flowers.
– Dark, slightly glossy foliage for strong contrast.
– Special feature: Multi‑award winner in Rome 2003 for bloom quality, fragrance and press acclaim.

Exclusive finished product

pharmaROSA® NEONATAL rooted rose cutting

30,92 £

Due to courier service regulations – and the introduction of customs clearance – delivery to Ireland is temporarily suspended.

3 (4196)

METROPOLITAN ® – white hybrid tea rose – MEIfaissel

Metropolitan delivers the sort of flower and bud presentation that supports premium, exhibition-oriented programmes, with consistently high-centred, XL blooms suited to cut-flower and specimen-grade retail. As a pharmaROSA® NEONATAL own-root cutting, it gives a reliable structural base for building up bush-trained plants with 3–5 strong canes and predictable performance into 5–7 L premium containers, aligning well with exclusive finished-product positioning and retail/reseller routes. Its dense, dark green foliage and upright habit help growers achieve visually coherent benches and beds, while own-root architecture supports long-term stand stability and regeneration under repeated cutting and deadheading. Over a natural progression of root establishment in year one, framework development in year two and full ornamental expression from year three, it provides a stable platform for nursery networks and public-realm suppliers needing dependable, collection-grade material, particularly where reliable winter hardiness is required in colder UK regions. The medium, pleasantly sweet fragrance, remontant repeat flowering and verified cultivar authenticity (premium gold rating) all contribute to a high-credibility choice for thematic rose gardens, show collections and wholesale cut-flower programmes built on own-root predictability.

Usage options

Target area	Reasoning
Premium 5–7 L container production for retail benches	High-centred, XL hybrid tea blooms in a pure white tone allow you to present a clear premium narrative in 5–7 L containers on retail benches. Using pharmaROSA® NEONATAL own-root material supports a planned premium container route with bush-trained, 3–5 cane plants that can be brought to market as an exclusive finished product. While disease sensitivity requires a stricter spray regime, the predictable structure and repeat flowering pattern simplify crop scheduling and restocking for retail / reseller partners.
Cut-flower and exhibition-grade garden production	The solitary, pointed-budded flower form and long, straight stems from the upright habit make this cultivar suitable for dedicated cut-flower rows and exhibition garden blocks. Starting from uniform, tray-rooted own-root cuttings allows you to build consistent beds for repeat harvesting and bud selection, aligned with a premium container and cut-flower route. With careful protection against powdery mildew and black spot, it supports specialist show gardens and cut-flower programmes aiming for strong flower quality and form for exhibition-focused growers.
Thematic white-rose and collection plantings	The stable snow-white to creamy-white colour range, combined with dense dark foliage, fits well into curated white-rose and colour-themed collections. Own-root propagation is advantageous where long-term cultivar maintenance and identity are priorities, such as in thematic gardens and rose collections. Working via premium 5–7 L containers and bush-trained plants, you can supply coherent, labelled stock that underpins collection curation for public-realm and show-garden suppliers.
Specimen-grade focal plants for display beds	The upright, bush-trained framework with 3–5 strong canes lends itself to producing visually dominant specimen plants for display beds and high-visibility retail positions. NEONATAL material can be blocked for a two- to three-year build-up, moving from propagation bed to 5–7 L premium containers. With suitable protection programmes in place, the structural regularity and large flowers support exclusive specimen offers aimed at premium garden centres.
Fragrance-led retail and show concepts	The medium-strength, pleasantly sweet, fruity fragrance enables you to participate in fragrance-led merchandising or show-garden concepts alongside other scented cultivars. From a production standpoint, own-root plants provide the longevity and regeneration capacity necessary for repeated flowering and scent performance, especially when trained into strong 3–5 cane bushes in 5–7 L units. This aligns with differentiated, exclusive fragrance selections for specialist rose retailers.
Remontant flowering programmes with extended sales window	Its remontant character and abundant second flowering enable extended sales and display windows when scheduled correctly through premium container production. Uniform own-root cuttings help create batches that flush together, supporting planned promotions and phased deliveries. With adequate plant protection, this can underpin an exclusive, flower-quality-focused range for integrated nursery networks.
Structurally coherent benches and landscape trial plots	Dense, slightly glossy dark green foliage combined with an upright habit delivers tidy, coherent benches that present well in premium 5–7 L formats. When establishing nursery trial plots or landscape evaluation beds from NEONATAL cuttings, own-root longevity helps maintain consistent stands despite regular pruning and deadheading. This provides reliable visual data and stock continuity for wholesale assortment managers.
Cold-tolerant stock for northern and exposed sites	The documented hardiness rating (H7, approx. -21 to -18 °C; Swedish Zone 3; USDA 6b) gives a degree of security for nurseries and networks supplying colder or more exposed UK locations. Own-root architecture supports recovery and regeneration after winter, reducing replacement needs over time. This is particularly relevant where reliable winter performance is needed in northern projects and nursery systems serving colder regions, within an exclusive, premium-container-led range for public-sector and contractor channels.

Finished-product ideas

5–7 L premium white hybrid tea focal plant – Upright, bush-trained plants with 3–5 canes and XL snow-white blooms in 5–7 L pots, emphasising flower form and premium container status – target: high-end retail benches and specialist rose resellers.
Cut-and-show garden row stock – Own-root rows dedicated to solitary, pointed-budded stems for cutting and exhibition, managed under an intensive protection regime – target: exhibition growers and nurseries supplying show-rose enthusiasts.
White collection line for thematic gardens – Curated white-rose range where stable colour and cultivar authenticity support labelled, collection-style presentations, supplied mainly in 5–7 L containers – target: public gardens, estates and collection-oriented retailers.
Fragrance feature container series – Medium-strength sweet, fruity fragrance combined with high-centred blooms positioned as a scented highlight in premium containers – target: garden centres building fragrance-led promotional tables.
Specimen display bed centrepiece – Structurally strong, own-root bushes developed over multiple seasons into showy, repeat-flowering focal plants, potentially up-shifted from 5–7 L into 40–50 L tubs for display – target: nurseries staging display beds and prestige retail showcases.

Technical cultivar profile

Parameter	Data
Name and registration	Hybrid tea rose, registered as MEIfaissel, marketed as Metropolitan ® Hybrid tea rose MEIfaissel with American Rose Society exhibition name Metropolitan; verified premium gold quality rating.
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	Recognised in Rome rose trials 2003 with a Gold Medal, a Fragrance Award and a Journalists' Prize, highlighting combined ornamental and scent values for professional consideration.
Growth and structural characteristics	Upright bush habit reaching about 100–140 cm tall and 55–85 cm spread, moderately thorny, with dense, slightly glossy, dark green foliage; spent blooms persist and often require manual deadheading.
Flower morphology	Very large, double hybrid tea blooms with 26–39 petals, solitary on stems, high-centred and pointed-budded, suited to cut-flower and exhibition use; remontant with an abundant second flowering cycle in season.
Colour data and phenology	Pure snow-white petals with silky matte sheen; buds creamy with greenish tips; colour remains white with slight creamy or ivory nuances as flowers open and age, with moderate colour retention in full bloom.
Fragrance and aroma	Well-scented hybrid tea with medium-strength, pleasantly sweet, fruity fragrance; fully double form gives moderate pollinator value as stamens are less accessible compared with simpler flower types.
Hip characteristics	Produces rose hips in moderate quantities, typically very small at 0–5 mm diameter; hips are present but not a significant ornamental or commercial feature in most production scenarios.
Resistance and winter hardiness	Sensitive to diseases, very prone to powdery mildew and black spot, moderate rust; requires regular plant protection. Winter-hardy to around -21 to -18 °C, corresponding to RHS H7, Swedish Zone 3 and USDA 6b.
Horticultural recommendations	Best used for flower beds, cut flowers and specimen roles; maintenance requirement is high due to disease sensitivity and poor self-cleaning; release as bush-trained plants with 3–5 canes, optimised for premium containers.

METROPOLITAN ® – white hybrid tea rose – MEIfaissel offers premium flower form, remontant performance and reliable winter hardiness on a predictable own-root base; please contact us to discuss volume planning and scheduling for your programme.

Detailed product attributes

Product Identification Data

Product Name: METROPOLITAN ® – white hybrid tea rose - Meilland

Product Type: pharmaROSA® NEONATAL - rooted rose cutting

Product Quality: -

Cultivar Authenticity: Verified:18.05.2025

Cultivar Quality Rating: premium gold

Item Number: [516] 20-194 (14.02.2026) pharmarosaneonatal.co.uk

Name and Registration

Meaning of Cultivar Name: The name derives from the English word "metropolitan", meaning urban or associated with a world city.

Cultivar Synonym: Brilliance; Gardenia®; Oscar François; Pau Casals; Queen Mary 2™

Registered Cultivar Name: MEIfaissel

Original Trade Name: Metropolitan®

Former Name: -

Current Trade Name: Metropolitan ® Hybrid tea rose MEIfaissel

American Rose Society Approved Exhibition Name: Metropolitan

Rose Group: Hybrid Tea

Commercial Type: hybrid tea rose

Commercial Group: Hybrid tea rose

Exhibition Category: cut flower; exhibition tea hybrid

Collection: Hybrid tea rose

Origin and Breeding

Initial Distributor: Meilland International SA (France)

Introduction Year: after 2004

Registration Year: 2004

Breeder: Alain A. Meilland

Breeding Company / Institution: Meilland International SA

Breeding Year: France, 2004

Parentage: ‘White Knight’ × (‘Karen Blixen’ × ‘Lady Sylvia’)

Awards and Honours

Global and Lifetime Awards: -

Horticultural Ratings and Recommendations: -

Competition and Show Awards: Rome (Italy) – Gold Medal (2003); Rome – Fragrance Award (2003); Rome – Journalists' Prize (2003)

Collectors' Recommendations: -

Growth and Structural Characteristics

Height: 3.3-4.6ft (100-140 cm)

Spread: 1.8-2.8ft (55-85 cm)

Growth Habit: upright

Foliage: The variety has dense foliage. Its leaves have a slightly glossy surface and a dark green hue.

Prickliness: moderately thorny

Self-Cleaning Description: According to the descriptions, spent blooms often remain on the plant and may require deadheading.

Self-Cleaning Intensity: Self-cleaning is rather poor.

Flower Morphology

Petal Count: 26-39

Flower Fullness: double

Flower Shape: high-centred, pointed-budded (cut-rose type)

Flower Size: XL (3,5 in -)

Inflorescence Type: solitary

Colour Code: ARS code: W RHS code: 155C (outer), 155D (inner)

Repeat Flowering: Remontant, its second flowering is also abundant.

Colour Data and Phenology

Colour: white

Flower Colour Description: Petals in a pure, snow-white tone with a delicate, silky matte sheen.

Closed Bud: Creamy white bud with slightly greenish outer petal tips.

Newly Opened Flower: Bright snow-white petals with a subtle ivory shade at the centre.

Full Bloom: The white shade remains pure, and a slight silky sheen appears on the surface of the petals.

Before Fading: The petals tend towards creamy white, occasionally with a faint ivory margin.

Colour Fading Description: During opening, the bright snow‑white tone only slightly shifts towards a creamy white, and the primary shade remains white throughout.

Colour Retention Level: moderate

Fragrance and Aroma

Fragrance Strength: medium-strength, well-scented rose

Fragrance Character: pleasantly sweet, fruity aroma

Pollinator Attraction: Flowers are moderately attractive to pollinators; simple or semi‑double blooms with exposed stamens receive more visits, while fully double forms with concealed stamens reduce accessibility and therefore attractiveness.

Pollinator-Friendly Rating: Double-flowered, moderately pollinator-friendly cultivar.

Soap and Cosmetic Use: -

Hip Characteristics

Maximum Hip Diameter: 0-5 mm

Hip Shape: -

Hip Colour: -

Hip Comment: Rose hips produced in moderate quantities, 0–5 mm in diameter.

Resistance and Hardiness

Hardiness (°C): -21–-18 °C

RHS Hardiness Rating: H7

Swedish Hardiness Zone: Zon 3

USDA Hardiness Zone: 6b

Heat and Drought Tolerance Description: No data are available on heat–drought tolerance.

Heat and Drought Tolerance Level: -

Disease Resistance: sensitive

powdery mildew – very sensitive
black spot – very sensitive
rust – moderate

Horticultural Recommendations

Recommended product path: Premium container

Recommended target pot: 5–7 L

Release form: Bush-trained, with 3–5 strong framework canes

Recommended use: Maintenance requirement high; very susceptible to powdery mildew and black spot, so regular plant protection is necessary.

Primary Uses: flower bed, cut flower, specimen

Comments

Positioning: Exclusive finished product

Target customer/channel: Retail / reseller

Main value proposition: Flower quality, form

METROPOLITAN ® – white hybrid tea rose - Meilland

Petals in a pure, snow-white tone with a delicate, silky matte sheen. - hybrid tea rose - medium-strength, well-scented rose - pleasantly sweet, fruity aroma

The rose webshop. - white - medium-strength, well-scented rose - Metropolitan ® - hybrid tea rose - (3.3-4.6ft (100-140 cm))

Inflorescence: solitary Height: 3.3-4.6ft (100-140 cm) Flower shape: high-centred, pointed-budded (cut-rose type) Winter hardiness: 6b white - Meilland International SA (France) hybrid tea rose - Flower size: XL (3,5 in -) Flower size: XL (3,5 in -) - Height: 3.3-4.6ft (100-140 cm) Height: 3.3-4.6ft (100-140 cm) - Flower fullness: double Metropolitan ® - Roses in the garden | pharmaROSA® Neonatal - premium gold Alain A. Meilland

We showcase the external appearance of the roses available for online purchase from our webshop.

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Information

In what condition do we dispatch the roses from our online shop?

Ask yourself the question: What final product do I want to create from it?

Wholesale of cuttings

PharmaRosa® NEONATAL is the cost‑effective starting point for rose product production.

As a uniform, own‑rooted propagation material, it provides a stable basis for further growing-on and can be integrated flexibly into different finished product production technologies.
Rooted in trays (rooted), 3–6‑month‑old, own‑rooted rose cutting.
Uniform developmental stage, with a root system that has thoroughly penetrated the plug.
For professional growing‑on.
Tray packaging: 10 pcs/tray.
Quality and varietal identity: production supported by a dedicated identification and traceability logic.
Can be transplanted during frost‑free periods, designed for finished product production.

PharmaRosa® NEONATAL provides a controlled, uniform starting stock for planned growing‑on that can be integrated into your own technology – especially where scheduling and varietal identity are paramount.

PharmaRosa® NEONATAL own-rooted rose propagation material in a plug, with a root system penetrating the plug (semi-finished product / semi-finished rose). PharmaRosa® NEONATAL rose propagation material size: 3–6‑month‑old, own-rooted cutting with a uniform developmental stage. PharmaRosa® NEONATAL tray stock: own-rooted rose propagation material in trays, uniform developmental stage (10 pcs/tray).

Captions (from left to right): Semi-finished product (NEONATAL own-rooted rose propagation material in a plug with a fully developed root system) • Size demonstration (3–6‑month‑old, uniform cutting) • Root system detail (plug penetrated by the root system) • Tray stock (10 pcs/tray, uniform developmental stage)