Rosa x polyantha Centenaire de Lourdes

Rosa Centenaire de Lourdes is a Polyantha rose bush with good health and remarkable flowering. It forms a large bush, adorned with masses of round and semi-double roses. They are a pleasant fresh pink when they bloom, fading to a soft pink over time. It flowers from June to October. With its bushy and flexible habit, this hardy rose is easy to combine and thrives in all gardens. It is easy to grow in the sun, in ordinary soil.

Rosa Centenaire de Lourdes was developed by French rose breeder Georges Delbard, originally resulting from hybridisations between R. multiflora and R. chinensis. Obtained in 1958, this excellent fast-growing hybrid is within reach of all gardeners. It forms a beautiful bush with flexible branches that can reach a height of 1 to 1.5m (3 to 5ft), a little less in width. It is not heavily branched. It is vigorous and covered with healthy, slightly shiny, dark green foliage. Its flowering is remarkably long, lasting 5 to 6 months. This bush renews in successive waves throughout summer. Its semi-double corollas measure 6 to 7cm (2 to 3in) in diameter. They appear in rounded cups, gathered in terminal clusters. The tightly closed and pointed buds open into turbinated flowers, then give way to open, slightly fragrant roses, with a somewhat more relaxed appearance. The colour of the flowers is a fresh and bright pink, which fades as the rose ages.

Polyantha hybrid roses can be used to create beautiful small hedges, planted mixed along the edge of a patio, or in small shrub beds. Combine them with abelias, nandinas, or caryopteris, for example. They are good companions for paniculate phlox, veronicas in harmonious colours, and tall baby's breath. The beautiful stature of Centenaire de Lourdes makes it ideal for creating countryside hedges, in the company of R. 'Roseraie de l'Haÿ', mock oranges, viburnums, variegated dogwoods, or deciduous ceanothuses.