Bonica, close-up of the flower
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Shrub; landscapeMeilland, 1981Pink

Bonica

MEIdomonac · Meidiland series · the French benchmark of groundcover roses.

Variety profileGardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat, in flushes

Abundant repeat flowering in flushes, May – October. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Winter hardiness

−32 °C

USDA zone 4–7.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

90–150 × 120–180 cm
person 170 cm90–150 cm
Habit
Spreading bush with arching canes; usually wider than tall
Dimensions
90–150 cm tall × 120–180 cm wide; more compact with formative pruning
Support
No support needed – the bush is self-supporting and holds its shape without a trellis or arch (support is only needed for climbing varieties, which Bonica is not)
Shoots
Flexible, semi-stiff
Branching
Dense; the bush is thick even without formative pruning

Flower

5–7,5 cm
Bud shape
Small, oval to egg-shaped; deeper pink than the open flower
Open flower
Cup-shaped, slightly wavy petals; diameter 5–7.5 cm
Centre
According to the patent description, the flower is initially a shallow cup and becomes flatter before the petals fall
Fullness
Double; Meilland and the patent description give about 53 petals. Star Roses gives a different figure: 25–30
Flower carriage
In clusters of 5–15 flowers per stem

Fragrance

Light

Light, soft, slightly sweet.

Disease resistance

5 out of 5
Black spotresistantPowdery mildewresistant

Very resistant to black spot and powdery mildew (benchmark 5/5).

Sun

Sun + partial shade

Full sun or light dappled shade; in southern heat the petals fade to white more quickly.

Foliage

Dark green, semi-glossy, dense; leaves with 5–7 leaflets.

Other names

Breeder's code MEIdomonac.

All characteristics in a table
Group
Shrub; landscape
Breeder
Meilland, 1981
Bud shape
Small, oval to egg-shaped; deeper pink than the open flower
Open flower
Cup-shaped, slightly wavy petals; diameter 5–7.5 cm
Centre
According to the patent description, the flower is initially a shallow cup and becomes flatter before the petals fall
Colour
Soft pink; fades to almost white in heat
Fullness
Double; Meilland and the patent description give about 53 petals. Star Roses gives a different figure: 25–30
Flower carriage
In clusters of 5–15 flowers per stem
Flowering
Abundant repeat flowering in flushes, May – October
Fragrance
Light, soft, slightly sweet
Hips
If not cut, it forms bright red rose hips by winter
Habit
Spreading bush with arching canes; usually wider than tall
Branching
Dense; the bush is thick even without formative pruning
Shoots
Flexible, semi-stiff
Number of thorns
Moderate – thorns are present, but not too stiff
Dimensions
90–150 cm tall × 120–180 cm wide; more compact with formative pruning
Support
No support needed – the bush is self-supporting and holds its shape without a trellis or arch (support is only needed for climbing varieties, which Bonica is not)
Foliage
Dark green, semi-glossy, dense; leaves with 5–7 leaflets
Resistance
Very resistant to black spot and powdery mildew (benchmark 5/5)
Variations of the variety
Royal Bonica; White Bonica; Vanilla Bonica; Climbing Bonica

Colour scheme

Soft pink; fades to almost white in heat

Rose neighbours

Aspirin RoseWhiteThe FairyLight pink.IcebergPure whiteKnock OutCherry red

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavender ‘Munstead’Catmint (Nepeta)Woodland sagePerovskia

Rose neighbours

Neighbours differ from Bonica in height, flower size or colour intensity, so the pink mass does not turn into one uniform blotch.

  • Aspirin Rose. A lower white mass gives a calm, light foreground.
  • The Fairy. Smaller, numerous flowers add a different scale to the pink palette.
  • Iceberg. A taller bush and white clusters create vertical and light contrast.
  • Knock Out. Its rich cherry-red colour adds depth to the composition.

Companion perennials

Salvia and Perovskia verticals and small blue-violet flowers create a clearer backdrop for the rounded bush.

Lavender. Colour accent — lavender.Catmint. Colour accent — blue.Salvia. Colour accent — violet.Perovskia. Colour accent — blue-violet.

More about the variety

Hips
If not cut, it forms bright red rose hips by winter
Variations of the variety
Royal Bonica; White Bonica; Vanilla Bonica; Climbing Bonica

How to grow

Where to plant. Mixed borders, group plantings, low hedges, the front of a flower bed, the edge of a path. Performs well in partial shade.

Climate. Hardy to −34 °C – suitable for all climate zones of Ukraine, including northern Sumy and Chernihiv regions.

Care. One of the least demanding varieties in the landscape class. Needs no formative pruning or chemical disease control.

About the name

Name. 'Bonica' most likely comes from the Italian 'bonica' / Spanish 'bonita' – 'pleasant', 'sweet', 'pretty'; it reflects the flower's soft, gentle character.

Breeding. Bred by Marie-Louise Meilland in 1981, officially introduced in France in 1982. Parentage: (R. sempervirens × 'Mlle. Marthe Carron') × 'Picasso'. Patent code MEIdomonac.

Significance. Bonica became the ancestor of the Meidiland series – one of the most popular modern landscape rose series in the world. One of the few roses to receive both the ADR (Germany, 1983) and All-America Rose Selections (USA, 1987) – a sign of exceptional quality and robustness.

Frequently asked questions about Bonica

Does Bonica need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −32 °C (USDA zone 4–7). Overwintering depends on the conditions.

How many times a season does Bonica flower?

Abundant repeat flowering in flushes, May – October.

How big does Bonica grow?

90–150 cm tall, 120–180 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Bonica?

Overall resistance: 5 out of 5. A benchmark for its class; resistant to black spot and powdery mildew.

How much sun does Bonica need?

Sun + partial shade; full sun or light dappled shade; in southern heat the petals fade to white more quickly.

What does Bonica smell like?

Light, soft, slightly sweet.

Gardeners' photos and reviews

My climate

Choose a reference temperature to compare with the cultivar’s data. This is not an overwintering forecast or advice on winter protection; consider wind, moisture and the duration of frost.

Regional data are generalised. USDA describes average annual extreme minima, not a forecast; the values in the list are rounded. Check the conditions at your site. More information: Roses in Ukraine's climate.