Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0

Hybrid TeaMichel Adam / NIRP, 2013Pink

Amour de Molène

Named after the Breton musician Didier Squiban; gold medal and Fragrance Cup at Lyon 2013; ‘Most Beautiful French Rose’ 2013.

NIRPARFUM line — fragrant roses from NIRP

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat, in flushes

Repeat-flowering in flushes, from May to the first frosts. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Awards

Lyon 2013

Gold + Fragrance Cup + “Most Beautiful French Rose” · Warsaw 2020 (Merit)

Winter hardiness

−15 °C

Southern and central Ukraine; in the north — with winter protection. South and centre of Ukraine · in the north with winter protection.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

100–120 × 40–60 cm

Habit: Upright, vigorous
Dimensions: 100–120 cm tall × 40–60 cm wide
Support: No support needed — a free-standing bush
Shoots: Vigorous, straight
Branching: Good

Flower

≈ 15 cm

70–130 petals.

Bud shape: Full, globular-cupped
Open flower: Large, old-rose shaped, slightly cupped, very double; diameter about 15 cm
Centre: Dense, packed with petals
Fullness: Very double, 70–130 petals
Flower carriage: Mostly singly, sometimes in small clusters

Fragrance

Strong; rich classic rose (old-rose fragrance)

Strong — a rich classic rose scent, ‘the scent of an old rose’; awarded the Fragrance Cup at Lyon 2013.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

Black spotresistant

Good; noted in particular for black spot resistance.

Sun

Full sun

For the garden and for cutting; holds the flower shape well.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

. Moderate prickliness, as in most Hybrid Teas.

Foliage

Large, dark green, semi-glossy.

Other names

Breeder's code ADAruocal.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Hybrid Tea
Breeder: Michel Adam / NIRP, France, 2013
Bud shape: Full, globular-cupped
Open flower: Large, old-rose shaped, slightly cupped, very double; diameter about 15 cm
Centre: Dense, packed with petals
Colour: Salmon-orange blend: bright, with a pink tint; with age it softens to warm pink-salmon
Fullness: Very double, 70–130 petals
Flower carriage: Mostly singly, sometimes in small clusters
Flowering: Repeat-flowering in flushes, from May to the first frosts
Fragrance: Strong — a rich classic rose scent, ‘the scent of an old rose’; awarded the Fragrance Cup at Lyon 2013
Hips: Usually not left on the bush — spent blooms are removed
Habit: Upright, vigorous
Branching: Good
Shoots: Vigorous, straight
Thorns: . Moderate prickliness, as in most Hybrid Teas.
Dimensions: 100–120 cm tall × 40–60 cm wide
Support: No support needed — a free-standing bush
Foliage: Large, dark green, semi-glossy
Resistance: Good; noted in particular for black spot resistance
Variations of the variety: Part of the NIRPARFUM fragrance line; no sports recorded

Colour scheme

Salmon-orange blend: bright, with a pink tint; with age it softens to warm pink-salmon

Rose neighbours

Lady Emma Hamiltonorange-apricot

Boscobelcoral-salmon

Lady of Shalottwarm apricot

Crown Princess Margaretadeep apricot

Perennials to plant nearby

Catmint (Nepeta)sky blue

Salvia ‘Caradonna’purple

Perovskialavender smoke

Veronicablue-purple

Neighbouring roses

Salmon, coral and apricot varieties keep the same warm “southern” mood around Amour de Molène.

Lady Emma Hamilton Boscobel Lady of Shalott Crown Princess Margareta

Perennial companions

Blue-purple flowers give a clean contrast to the warm salmon-orange:

catmint (Nepeta)salvia ‘Caradonna’Perovskiaveronica

Contrasting accents

Blue spires and a silvery “smoke” add depth to the warm palette:

DelphiniumNepeta Six Hills GiantPerovskia

More about the variety

Hips: Usually not left on the bush — spent blooms are removed
Variations of the variety: Part of the NIRPARFUM fragrance line; no sports recorded

How to grow

Where to plant. In a mid-height mixed border, a formal bed, or near seating areas — for its strong fragrance. The large flower is also lovely as a cut flower.

Climate. Southern and central Ukraine — no winter cover needed; in the north, cover for winter.

Care. Full sun, rich soil; feeding twice a season; removing spent blooms encourages new flushes.

About the name

Name. Dedicated to the French (Breton) pianist Didier Squiban, who draws inspiration from the island of Molène (Île-Molène) in the Ouessant archipelago. The play on words ‘Amour de Molène’ (‘love of Molène’) is intentional: there is a Breton song of the same name with the line ‘Mon plus bel amour vient de Molène’.

Breeding. Bred by Michel Adam (Liffré, Brittany), introduced by NIRP International; already in existence by 2013. Patent code: ADAruocal. The parent forms are not published.

Meaning. A flagship fragrant French rose. In 2013 in Lyon it won a gold medal, a Fragrance Cup and the title ‘Most Beautiful French Rose’; in 2020 it received a Certificate of Merit in Warsaw.

Frequently asked questions about Amour de Molène

Does Amour de Molène need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −15 °C. Overwintering depends on the conditions. Southern and central Ukraine; in the north — with winter protection.

How many times a season does Amour de Molène flower?

Repeat-flowering in flushes, from May to the first frosts.

How big does Amour de Molène grow?

100–120 cm tall, 40–60 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Amour de Molène?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Good; noted for black spot resistance.

How much sun does Amour de Molène need?

Full sun; for the garden and for cutting; holds the flower shape well.

What does Amour de Molène smell like?