Rosa polyantha 'Sweet Meinatope' - Polyantha Rose

The Friendly Rose 'Sweet Meinatope' is a recent creation by Meilland. It produces charming single wild rose flowers in a delicate shade of pink that turns pearly white, opening up to a bouquet of yellow stamens. Rich in pollen and nectar, before transforming into vermilion red hips, they bring joy to pollinators and birds. This vigorous variety, perfectly healthy, has already received the Silver Medal at the Bagatelle Competition (Paris) in 2019 and the prestigious German A.D.R* label in 2021.

The Friendly® Rose 'Sweet Meinatope' bears flowers arranged in terminal clusters of 3 to 25 units, derived from the polyantha rose, an old hybrid resulting from Rosa multiflora and R. chinensis. It is part of the Meillandecor® landscape roses series, offering plants with exceptional natural resistance to diseases and parasites, with an almost permanent decorative effect, dense vegetation, and abundant and continuous flowering until the frost. The roses in the 'Friendly' range have a very bushy habit, as wide as they are tall, reaching approximately 80 cm (32in) to 1 m (3ft) in all directions at maturity. They develop deciduous, matte green foliage that is absent in winter. The simple flowers, 5 to 6 cm (2in) in diameter, with 5 petals, resemble ancestral wild roses. They bloom in large numbers in wide pyramidal clusters from May to October-November, as long as there is no frost. The colour of 'Sweet Meinatope' is a delightful shade of pale pink that fades to pearly white.

This Friendly Rose 'Sweet Meinatope' is part of an ecological approach in the garden, where pesticide treatments are unnecessary, wildlife is welcome, and flowering is guaranteed. Maintenance is limited to a few waterings during dry periods and an annual pruning. This hardy and versatile plant thrives in climate and soil that is not too dry or poor. Very easy to grow, this shrub rose is perfect for natural, ecological gardens with a rustic or slightly wild appearance. It can be integrated into flower beds, low hedges or planted in groups of 3. Choose a variety of companion shrubs, such as evergreen Ceanothus, Vitex, and buddleias. Add wandering perennials and annuals that are melliferous and require minimal maintenance, along with naturalising bulbs and ornamental grasses.

*The German ADR label tests rose varieties for 3 years without pesticide treatment to reward those that are naturally resistant to diseases, pests, and pollution in 11 trial stations across Germany.