Hybrid TeaMcGredy, 1963Yellow

Casanova

Sam McGredy IV; Northern Ireland; a benchmark yellow HT of the 1960s.

Classic 1950s HT

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat, in flushes

Repeat flowering in flushes all season until the first frosts. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Awards

Geneva

Certificate of Merit 1963

Winter hardiness

−20 °C

USDA zone 6–9. With winter cover — all of Ukraine.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

120–140 × 70–90 cm

Habit: Upright, vigorous, vertical
Dimensions: 120–140 cm high × 70–90 cm wide
Support: Does not need support — the bush is self-supporting; the stems are stiff enough to hold the large flowers
Shoots: Sturdy, straight, hold the large flowers on long stems well
Branching: Moderate; typical structure of a hybrid tea

Flower

12–15 cm

Bud shape: Elongated, pointed, high — the benchmark HT form for cutting
Open flower: Classic high-centred, conical; diameter 12–15 cm
Centre: Clearly conical, high, hides the stamens until fully open
Fullness: Full, 26–40 petals
Flower carriage: Mostly borne singly, sometimes 2–3 in small clusters

Fragrance

Moderate

Moderate, soft musk notes with a sweet tinge.

Disease resistance

3 out of 5

Black spotsusceptible

Moderate; needs prevention of black spot and summer powdery mildew.

Sun

Full sun essential

In partial shade flowering weakens and the colour fades.

Thorns

Few

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Almost thornless — a characteristic trait of the variety, convenient for cutting.

Foliage

Matt, dark green, typical of HTs.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Hybrid Tea
Breeder: McGredy, 1963
Bud shape: Elongated, pointed, high — the benchmark HT form for cutting
Open flower: Classic high-centred, conical; diameter 12–15 cm
Centre: Clearly conical, high, hides the stamens until fully open
Colour: Straw-yellow at the heart, cream edges; lightens to beige with time
Fullness: Full, 26–40 petals
Flower carriage: Mostly borne singly, sometimes 2–3 in small clusters
Flowering: Repeat flowering in flushes all season until the first frosts
Fragrance: Moderate, soft musk notes with a sweet tinge
Hips: Practically none
Habit: Upright, vigorous, vertical
Branching: Moderate; typical structure of a hybrid tea
Shoots: Sturdy, straight, hold the large flowers on long stems well
Thorns: Almost thornless — a characteristic trait of the variety, convenient for cutting.
Dimensions: 120–140 cm high × 70–90 cm wide
Support: Does not need support — the bush is self-supporting; the stems are stiff enough to hold the large flowers
Foliage: Matt, dark green, typical of HTs
Resistance: Moderate; needs prevention of black spot and summer powdery mildew
Variations of the variety: No official sports; do not confuse with modern 'Casanova' varieties from other breeders

Colour scheme

Straw-yellow at the heart, cream edges; lightens to beige with time

Rose neighbours

Julia Childgolden yellow

Peacecreamy yellow with pink

Graham Thomasdeep yellow

Munstead Wooddark raspberry · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Catmint (Nepeta)blue

Sage 'Caradonna'purple

Ornamental oniongolden ochre

Ox-eye daisylavenderOx-eye daisy

Neighbouring roses

A yellow-cream palette for a monochrome golden flower bed:

Julia Child Peace Graham Thomas Munstead Wood

Companion perennials

Cool blue and purple tones — a classic contrast to the warm yellow:

catmint (Nepeta)sage 'Caradonna'ornamental onionox-eye daisy

Contrasting accents

For depth — deep blue and silver:

delphinium blueagastache 'Blue Fortune'salvia 'May Night'woolly stachys

More about the variety

Hips: Practically none
Variations of the variety: No official sports; do not confuse with modern 'Casanova' varieties from other breeders

How to grow

Where to plant. Formal borders, specimen roses for cutting, the front of a planting with low perennials; as a classic HT it looks good in row plantings and single-variety beds.

Climate. Tolerates frosts to −20 °C — northern regions of Ukraine need winter cover; southern regions — no cover needed.

Care. As a classic HT it needs regular preventive treatments against disease, formative pruning in spring, and removal of spent flowers.

About the name

Name. After Giacomo Casanova — a symbol of elegance, romance and charm. The name highlights the stately, heart-stopping beauty of a classic HT.

Breeding. Bred by Samuel Darragh McGredy IV at Sam McGredy (Portadown, Northern Ireland), 1957; introduced to the market in Great Britain in 1963 through Fisons Horticulture Ltd. Parentage: Queen Elizabeth (grandiflora, Lammerts 1954) × Perfecta (HT, Kordes 1957).

Significance. A model example of a 'pure HT' from the 1950s–60s, when McGredy IV was still working in Northern Ireland, before moving to New Zealand. The variety received the Geneva Certificate of Merit (1963) and became one of the standard yellow HTs of its time.

Frequently asked questions about Casanova

Does Casanova need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −20 °C (USDA zone 6–9). Overwintering depends on the conditions.

How many times a season does Casanova flower?

Repeat flowering in flushes all season until the first frosts.

How big does Casanova grow?

120–140 cm tall, 70–90 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Casanova?

Overall resistance: 3 out of 5. Typical level for 1960s HTs; weak point — black spot; powdery mildew — satisfactory.

How much sun does Casanova need?

Sun; full sun essential; in partial shade flowering weakens and the colour fades.

What does Casanova smell like?