Hybrid Tea; classicTantau, 1964Lilac and purple

Blue Moon

German original Mainzer Fastnacht; also sold as Sissi and Blue Monday; a cult rose – the parent of all 'lavender' roses, ADR 1964.

Exhibition form · 'lavender legend'

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat-flowering, with pauses

Awards

ADR

1964 · numerous medals for fragrance

Winter hardiness

−18 °C

USDA zone 7b+. Zakarpattia, south, centre with protection · Polissia — protection essential.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

60–150 × 60 cm

Habit: Narrow, upright
Dimensions: 60–150 cm tall × 60 cm wide
Support: No support needed – the bush is self-supporting (support is only needed for climbing varieties)
Shoots: Long, straight – ideal for cutting
Branching: Moderate

Flower

10–12 cm

Bud shape: Long, pointed, classic exhibition form
Open flower: Large, high cone, lavender-silver; diameter 10–12 cm
Centre: Tightly packed, no visible stamens
Fullness: Fully double, up to 40 petals
Flower carriage: Borne singly on the stem – the benchmark for cutting

Fragrance

Strong

VERY STRONG, legendary – a blend of citrus (lemon), violet and classic tea notes; its TRADEMARK.

Disease resistance

3 out of 5

Moderate – needs preventive treatments.

Sun

Sun + partial shade

Without midday shade it scorches quickly and the colour fades.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Thorns reddish, standard number for a Hybrid Tea.

Foliage

Medium green, semi-matt, moderate.

Other names

Mainzer Fastnacht, Sissi, Blue Monday

Breeder's code TANnacht.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Hybrid Tea; classic
Breeder: Tantau, 1964
Bud shape: Long, pointed, classic exhibition form
Open flower: Large, high cone, lavender-silver; diameter 10–12 cm
Centre: Tightly packed, no visible stamens
Colour: Silvery lavender with a smoky-blue tint; paler in sun, richer lilac in shade
Fullness: Fully double, up to 40 petals
Flower carriage: Borne singly on the stem – the benchmark for cutting
Flowering: Repeat-flowering, with pauses
Fragrance: VERY STRONG, legendary – a blend of citrus (lemon), violet and classic tea notes; its TRADEMARK
Hips: Rare
Habit: Narrow, upright
Branching: Moderate
Shoots: Long, straight – ideal for cutting
Thorns: Thorns reddish, standard number for a Hybrid Tea.
Dimensions: 60–150 cm tall × 60 cm wide
Support: No support needed – the bush is self-supporting (support is only needed for climbing varieties)
Foliage: Medium green, semi-matt, moderate
Resistance: Moderate – needs preventive treatments
Variations of the variety: A climbing form exists, Climbing Blue Moon (Mungia 1981); synonyms: Mainzer Fastnacht, Sissi, Blue Monday

Colour scheme

Silvery lavender with a smoky-blue tint; paler in sun, richer lilac in shade

Rose neighbours

Charles de Millsdark purple

Reine des Violettesviolet moiré

Indigolettalilac-violet

Madame Hardywhite · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavender 'Hidcote'lavender

Artemisia 'Powis Castle'silvery

Catmint (Nepeta)blue

Verbascum Helen JohnsonvioletVerbascum Helen Johnson

Neighbouring roses

A lavender-wine palette with white contrast holds the refined 'moonlit' atmosphere around Blue Moon.

Charles de Mills Reine des Violettes Indigoletta Madame Hardy

Perennial companions

Silvery wormwood foliage and lavender clouds — a classic setting for a lavender rose:

lavender 'Hidcote'artemisia 'Powis Castle'catmint (Nepeta)Verbascum Helen Johnson

Contrasting accents

For dramatic textural play — violet alliums and steel-blue globe thistles:

Allium GlobemasterEryngium planumStipa tenuissima

More about the variety

Hips: Rare
Variations of the variety: A climbing form exists, Climbing Blue Moon (Mungia 1981); synonyms: Mainzer Fastnacht, Sissi, Blue Monday

How to grow

Where to plant. Showy areas, beside paths (so the fragrance can be enjoyed), rose gardens, containers on a terrace.

Climate. Southern and central Ukraine, Zakarpattia; in Polissia and the east – with mandatory winter protection.

Care. Moderate pruning in spring; regular preventive treatments against fungal diseases; potassium feeding for richer colour.

About the name

Name. 'Blue Moon' – an English trade name, referring to the phrase 'once in a blue moon' (meaning 'very rarely') and to a classic jazz song of 1934. The German original is 'Mainzer Fastnacht' (Mainz Carnival).

Breeding. Bred by Mathias Tantau Jr. (Tantau, Uetersen) and introduced in 1964. Parentage: Sterling Silver (Fisher 1955) × unnamed seedling. Patent code TANnacht.

Significance. A cult variety – the parent of all 'lavender' roses and the benchmark in its category. ADR 1964. It was created as a step towards a 'truly blue' rose, which remains an elusive dream for breeders. Its legendary lemon-violet fragrance has kept the variety from being forgotten through more than 60 years of active use.

Frequently asked questions about Blue Moon

Does Blue Moon need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −18 °C (USDA zone 7b+). Overwintering depends on the conditions.

How many times a season does Blue Moon flower?

Repeat-flowering, with pauses.

How big does Blue Moon grow?

60–150 cm tall, about 60 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Blue Moon?

Overall resistance: 3 out of 5. Moderate to black spot and mildew; needs preventive care.

How much sun does Blue Moon need?

Sun + partial shade; without midday shade it scorches quickly and the colour fades.

What does Blue Moon smell like?