Rosa x Thé - Parfuma 'Madame Anisette' - Hybrid Tea Rose

The Rose 'Madame Anisette/ Mme de La Vallière' is a gem from the Parfuma collection developed by the rose breeder Kordes Rosen to offer demanding enthusiasts exceptional roses on perfectly robust plants, tested under the harsh German climate. On its beautiful disease-resistant foliage, umbels of beautiful bell-shaped roses in a creamy white colour, delicately shaded with pale apricot at the centre, bloom, exuding a surprisingly aromatic fragrance dominated by aniseed notes. Stunning in borders, with small bushes or perennials, its flowers are lovely in a vase.

The Rosa x Thé 'Madame Anisette/ Mme de La Vallière' ('Korberonem'), introduced in 2013, obtained the highly selective German ADR label in 2014 for its exceptional disease resistance, among other criteria. This excellent variety has won numerous awards in international competitions, such as the Perfume Cup in Lyon and the Golden Rose in Courtrai. Like all roses in the 'Parfuma' series, it bears a name inspired by "royal favourites" that have marked our French history. Madame de La Vallière was Louis XIV's first mistress.

An upright and bushy habit, a bit stiff, characterises the vigorous bush. It reaches up to 1.20m (4ft) in height and 50cm (20in) in spread. Its long, thorny stems bear healthy, medium green, glossy leaves divided into five broad, finely dentate leaflets. Its flowering period is long, with successive waves from June to October if the soil remains moist. The large, almost white flower buds, enclosed in green sepals, open into globular and turbinate flowers measuring 7 to 8cm (3in), adorned with many tightly packed petals. The petals are light salmon pink in the centre of the flower and white cream on the outer edges. The roses are gathered in terminal clusters.

Their fragrance has been analysed by perfumers who describe it as follows: this rose, which seems so soft and tender, surprises with its truly unusual fragrance. The top note is very pronounced and aromatic. Dominant, it envelops the nose in an intense combination of aniseed and fragrant myrrh. Spice notes like lovage play a supporting role. With the flower's development, the soapy character of the rose in the heart note comes to the fore, surpassing the characteristic aroma of the young flower. Honey notes perceptible in the base note balance the rose. The fragrance of the flowers is at its peak in the morning, at noon, and in the evening.

This modern rose with large flowers, 'Madame Anisette', with its unique fragrance, romantic appearance of its flowers, and beautiful floribundity, will find its place in the garden in a large rose bed, at the front of a shrub bed, or as a standalone in a small well-maintained garden. Its moderate growth is also suitable for cultivation in a large pot to adorn the patio or balcony. The colour of its flowers pairs perfectly with pale pink roses (Prince Jardinier) and white roses (Jeanne Moreau, Jardins de Bagatelle). Also consider planting it near very easy-to-grow plants such as perennial geraniums (Geranium Rozanne, Blue Cloud, Anne Folkard, Nimbus, Orion), lavender, bellflowers (lactiflora, rapunculoides), catmints, snapdragons, foxgloves. Its flowers can be used to create bouquets with a nostalgic charm that will delicately perfume the house.