Royal Velvet™

Hybrid tea rose

- – Marie -Louise Meilland

It is characterised by a deep, velvety dark red shade. - hybrid tea rose - mild, subtle-scented rose - pleasant, with a delicate rose character

– Deep, velvety dark red blooms
– Elegant, high-centred hybrid tea form
– Tall, upright habit for specimen use
– Excellent choice for cut flowers
– Mild, pleasantly scented blossoms
– Special feature: Classic rose bred by Marie -Louise Meilland in France, 1958.

Exclusive finished product

pharmaROSA® NEONATAL rooted rose cutting

29,11 £

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

5 (7336)

Royal Velvet™ hybrid tea rose – pharmaROSA® NEONATAL rooted cutting

As a hybrid tea selected for exhibition performance and premium cut-flower quality, Royal Velvet™ offers professional growers a reliable own-root base for high-end, dark red production in nursery beds and 5–7 L premium containers. The high-centred, pointed-budded flower form, deep velvety colour and plentiful remontant flowering align closely with exclusive finished-product positioning where flower presentation is the primary value. Bush-trained NEONATAL material with 3–5 strong framework canes gives a stable structural habit for onward shaping as specimen plants or retail-ready, premium container stock, and supports planning for nursery networks and public-realm suppliers needing dependable, cold-tolerant roses suited to harsher northern UK sites and exposed locations. Own-root production supports long-term longevity, predictable regeneration, and low replacement in collection plantings, with a typical development arc of roots in year one, structural shoots in year two and full ornamental impact by year three.

Usage options

Target area	Reasoning
Premium 5–7 L container production	Royal Velvet™ suits the recommended premium container route, developing a strong bush-trained framework with 3–5 canes that reads well in 5–7 L pots at retail. Own-root NEONATAL cuttings support homogeneous, upright plants with predictable height, ideal where exclusive finished products must present consistently across batches. With roots consolidating in the first year and shoots building structure in the second, growers can schedule full ornamental impact for peak sales windows while managing higher maintenance needs as part of a premium offer for retail / reseller.
Cut-flower line for local and on-site harvest	The high-centred, pointed-budded blooms, with 26–39 petals and solitary stems, make this cultivar a logical choice for dedicated cut-flower lines within nursery or estate plantings. Positioning as an exclusive finished product allows growers to justify the higher pest and disease control burden, while own-root plants deliver renewable cane production for repeated cutting. Using NEONATAL material as a propagation base in beds feeding local bouquet, on-site floristry or seasonal contract work enhances supply reliability for retail / reseller.
Show-garden and collection blocks	As a hybrid tea with an approved exhibition name and distinctive velvety dark red colouring, Royal Velvet™ fits well into thematic rose gardens and curated collections. Own-root NEONATAL propagation supports long-term collection stands where cultivar identity and renewal are critical, with stable bushes developing from the bush-trained 3–5 cane structure. In show gardens that underpin premium sales or private-label ranges, this cultivar reinforces a focus on flower quality and form for retail / reseller.
Specimen plants for feature planting	The upright habit, 150–190 cm height, and dense, glossy foliage allow production of eye-catching specimen plants for key positions in landscape schemes or high-visibility retail points. Starting with bush-trained NEONATAL cuttings, growers can shape a clean, structural framework that carries large, dark red blooms for maximum impact. While disease susceptibility requires disciplined crop protection, the overall visual effect complements exclusive, high-margin plant programmes targeting retail / reseller.
Cold-tolerant premium stock for northern projects	With hardiness down to approximately -26–-23 °C (RHS H7, USDA 5b), Royal Velvet™ offers a robust option for colder nurseries and northern projects where winter-tolerant roses are required. Own-root NEONATAL material minimises replacement after harsh seasons, supporting reliable long-term beds and container lines. Combined with the premium container recommendation and flower-focused value proposition, this cold resilience can underpin offers to landscape contractors and public-supply channels serving retail / reseller.
Thematic dark red hybrid tea ranges	The deep, velvety dark red colour, from near-black buds to rich burgundy and uniform full-bloom tones, makes Royal Velvet™ a cornerstone for dark red hybrid tea assortments. Using it as NEONATAL own-root stock in 5–7 L premium containers enables coherent, colour-driven ranges where cut-flower suitability and exhibition-grade flower form are selling points. This aligns well with exclusive, story-led assortments and curated hybrid tea selections offered through retail / reseller.
High-control nursery environments	Because this cultivar is susceptible to fungal diseases and requires regular pest and disease control plus consistent watering, it is best suited to nurseries with strong plant health infrastructure. In such settings, the benefits of premium flower quality and form, remontant flowering and verified cultivar authenticity can be fully realised. NEONATAL own-root material supports long-term, renewable stock beds backing premium container and cut-flower production for retail / reseller.
Long-term mother blocks and stock maintenance	Own-root Royal Velvet™ stands provide renewable growth without graft union issues, useful for maintaining mother blocks and backup stock for future cuttings or collection refreshment. Bush-trained NEONATAL plants develop into stable, upright bushes that can be pruned for both vigour and form, even under repeated propagation load. This supports stable, premium-quality supply over time to underpin exclusive finished products for retail / reseller.

Finished-product ideas

Premium 5–7 L exhibition hybrid tea – Bush-trained own-root plants in 5–7 L pots, selected for high-centred, pointed-budded flower form and consistent dark red colour, positioned as an exclusive flower-quality line – target: retail / reseller
On-site cut-flower bed packs – NEONATAL-based plants grown on in nursery beds to 150–190 cm for repeated cutting of velvety dark red stems, offered as a packaged cut-flower solution for local outlets – target: retail / reseller
Collection-grade specimen range – Individually labelled, upright specimens with dense, glossy foliage and remontant flowering, designed for thematic and show gardens emphasising hybrid tea form – target: retail / reseller
Cold-hardy premium red series – A curated group of hardy, own-root hybrid teas where Royal Velvet™ represents the dark red segment, supplied in premium containers with an emphasis on winter resilience – target: retail / reseller
Mother-block and stock-line plants – Structurally strong, own-root bushes held as long-term nursery mother plants for future cuttings and collection maintenance, supporting ongoing premium product continuity – target: retail / reseller

Technical cultivar profile

Name and registration	Hybrid tea rose, registered as MEIlotup, marketed as Royal Velvet™ Hybrid tea rose MEIlotup, with American Rose Society approved exhibition name Royal Velvet™; collection category hybrid tea rose, cut and exhibition type.
Origin and breeding	Bred in France in 1958 by Marie-Louise Meilland (Meilland International) from (Exciting × Suspense) × Duke of Windsor; initially distributed by Wayside Gardens (USA); registration year recorded as 1986, introduction year not provided.
Awards and recognition	Not provided; no specific competition, collectors’ or global awards are listed for this cultivar, so positioning relies on its flower form, colour quality and established hybrid tea heritage rather than documented distinctions.
Growth and structural characteristics	Upright habit reaching about 150–190 cm high, 60–100 cm spread, with dense, glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickliness; spent flowers are weakly self-cleaning and typically require manual removal to maintain presentation.
Flower morphology	Large, double, high-centred, pointed-budded blooms with 26–39 petals, solitary on stems; classic cut-rose type hybrid tea flowers, remontant with a plentiful second flush, suited to exhibition-style presentation and cutting uses.
Colour data and phenology	Dark red blooms with velvety texture; buds near black, opening to rich burgundy, then uniform deep dark red. ARS code dr, RHS 187A outer and 187B inner; colour may lighten slightly in strong sun but stays deeper in cooler conditions.
Fragrance and aroma	Mild, pleasant fragrance with a delicate rose character; double flower form means stamens are largely covered, so the variety is valued mainly for ornamental flower quality rather than scent intensity or pollinator support.
Hip characteristics	Occasional ellipsoidal hips form, orange-red in colour, approximately 10–14 mm in diameter; hip development is not a major ornamental or production feature and typically secondary to the primary cut-flower and display role.
Resistance and winter hardiness	Hardy to around -26–-23 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 4, USDA 5b). Average heat tolerance, does not tolerate prolonged drought and needs regular watering; disease resistance is moderate to powdery mildew and black spot, very susceptible to rust.
Horticultural recommendations	Best used in flower beds, as a cut-flower producer and as a specimen plant. Maintenance needs are high with low inherent disease resistance, so regular pest, disease and watering regimes are essential, especially in premium container production.

Royal Velvet™ Hybrid tea rose MEIlotup offers exhibition-grade dark red blooms, strong upright structure and own-root predictability for long-lived, renewable stock; please contact us to align on volumes and production scheduling for your programmes.

Detailed product attributes

Product Identification Data

Product Name: ROYAL VELVET™ – dark red hybrid tea rose - Meilland

Product Type: pharmaROSA® NEONATAL - rooted rose cutting

Product Quality: -

Cultivar Authenticity: Verified:02.03.2025

Cultivar Quality Rating: premium silver

Item Number: [1576] 20-476 (14.02.2026) pharmarosaneonatal.co.uk

Name and Registration

Meaning of Cultivar Name: The term "Királyi bársony" refers to the deep, velvety red colour of the flowers.

Cultivar Synonym: -

Registered Cultivar Name: MEIlotup

Original Trade Name: Royal Velvet™

Former Name: -

Current Trade Name: Royal Velvet™ Hybrid tea rose MEIlotup

American Rose Society Approved Exhibition Name: Royal Velvet™

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: Wayside Gardens (USA)

Introduction Year: Data not available

Registration Year: 1986

Breeder: Marie -Louise Meilland

Breeding Company / Institution: Meilland International (France)

Breeding Year: France, 1958

Parentage: (Exciting × Suspense) × Duke of Windsor

Awards and Honours

Global and Lifetime Awards: -

Horticultural Ratings and Recommendations: -

Competition and Show Awards: -

Collectors' Recommendations: -

Growth and Structural Characteristics

Height: 4.9-6.2ft (150-190 cm)

Spread: 2-3.3ft (60-100 cm)

Growth Habit: upright

Foliage: The variety has dense foliage, with glossy, dark green leaves.

Prickliness: moderately thorny

Self-Cleaning Description: Spent flowers mostly remain on the plant and require subsequent cleaning.

Self-Cleaning Intensity: Self-cleaning: weak.

Flower Morphology

Petal Count: 26-39

Flower Fullness: double flowered

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

Flower Size: L (2,75-3,95 in)

Inflorescence Type: solitary

Colour Code: ARS code: dr RHS code: 187A (outer), 187B (inner)

Repeat Flowering: Remontant, with a plentiful second flowering.

Colour Data and Phenology

Colour: dark red

Flower Colour Description: It is characterised by a deep, velvety dark red shade.

Closed Bud: A dark, velvety red tending almost to black.

Newly Opened Flower: Rich burgundy red, the petals have a velvety surface and a subtle sheen.

Full Bloom: Uniform deep dark red. The inner side of the petals has a slightly lighter sheen.

Before Fading: The petals fade to ruby red but retain their velvety character.

Colour Fading Description: According to the descriptions, the colour may lighten slightly in strong sunlight; in cooler conditions it remains a deeper tone.

Colour Retention Level: moderate

Fragrance and Aroma

Fragrance Strength: mild, subtle-scented rose

Fragrance Character: pleasant, with a delicate rose character

Pollinator Attraction: Low in attractiveness to pollinators due to its double (fully filled) flower form, which conceals stamens and reduces access to pollen and nectar compared with single or semi‑double forms that offer easier stamen accessibility.

Pollinator-Friendly Rating: Its full flowers partially cover the stamens, so it is less pollinator-friendly and primarily valued as an ornamental variety.

Soap and Cosmetic Use: -

Hip Characteristics

Maximum Hip Diameter: 10-14 mm

Hip Shape: ellipsoidal

Hip Colour: orange-red

Hip Comment: Occasionally formed, 10–14 mm in diameter, ellipsoid, orange-red rose hip.

Resistance and Hardiness

Hardiness (°C): -26–-23 °C

RHS Hardiness Rating: H7

Swedish Hardiness Zone: Zon 4

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5b

Heat and Drought Tolerance Description: Average heat tolerance; does not tolerate prolonged drought and requires regular watering.

Heat and Drought Tolerance Level: moderate

Disease Resistance: susceptible

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

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; low disease resistance, requires regular pest and disease control.

Primary Uses: flower bed, cut flower, specimen plant

Comments

Positioning: Exclusive finished product

Target customer/channel: Retail / reseller

Main value proposition: Flower quality, form

ROYAL VELVET™ – dark red hybrid tea rose - Meilland

It is characterised by a deep, velvety dark red shade. - hybrid tea rose - mild, subtle-scented rose - pleasant, with a delicate rose character

Rose Shopping Online - dark red - mild, subtle-scented rose - Royal Velvet™ - hybrid tea rose - (4.9-6.2ft (150-190 cm))

Inflorescence: solitary Height: 4.9-6.2ft (150-190 cm) Flower shape: high-centred, pointed-budded (cut-rose type) Winter hardiness: 6b dark red - Wayside Gardens (USA) hybrid tea rose - Flower size: L (2,75-3,95 in) Flower size: L (2,75-3,95 in) - Height: 4.9-6.2ft (150-190 cm) Height: 4.9-6.2ft (150-190 cm) - Flower fullness: double flowered Royal Velvet™ - Roses in the garden | pharmaROSA® Neonatal - premium silver Marie -Louise 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)