Climber; large-floweredMeilland, 1993Apricot and orange

César

Synonym Romantic Occasion; one of the best-known climbing Romanticas.

Romantica® series

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat flowering

Abundant first flowering in May–June, then weaker repeat flowering with pauses. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Awards

Romantica®

Flagship of the series · 35+ favourite votes HMF

Winter hardiness

−23 °C

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

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

200–400 × 120–200 cm

Habit: Flexible long shoots, which shape well on a support (arch, trellis, pergola)
Dimensions: 200–400 cm high × 120–200 cm wide; with heavy pruning it is kept as a large shrub of 150–180 cm
Support: Needs support — a classic climber; looks best on an arch, pergola, trellis or south wall
Shoots: Long, flexible, bend easily into the horizontal — important for abundant flowering on the side shoots
Branching: Moderate; over time it forms a strong framework

Flower

10–12 cm

Bud shape: Round-oval, cream-pink
Open flower: Quartered, nostalgic, cupped; diameter 10–12 cm
Centre: Warm pink-salmon petals, with apricot highlights
Fullness: Very double, 40–50+ petals (very full)
Flower carriage: Borne singly or in small clusters of 3

Fragrance

Light

Light, fruity-tea — the least fragrant of the Romantica roses.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

Black spotresistantPowdery mildewresistantRustresistant

Resistant to black spot, good tolerance of powdery mildew, rust rare.

Sun

Sun + partial shade

Full sun or light partial shade in southern regions; in heat the colour fades to light cream.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Moderate number of prickles, typical of climbing HTs.

Foliage

Dark green, semi-glossy, dense.

Other names

César, Romantic Occasion

Breeder's code MEIsardan.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Climber; large-flowered
Breeder: Meilland, 1993
Bud shape: Round-oval, cream-pink
Open flower: Quartered, nostalgic, cupped; diameter 10–12 cm
Centre: Warm pink-salmon petals, with apricot highlights
Colour: Outer petals cream-yellow, inner petals pink-salmon; the tone is richer in cool weather
Fullness: Very double, 40–50+ petals (very full)
Flower carriage: Borne singly or in small clusters of 3
Flowering: Abundant first flowering in May–June, then weaker repeat flowering with pauses
Fragrance: Light, fruity-tea — the least fragrant of the Romantica roses
Hips: Rarely, due to high doubleness
Habit: Flexible long shoots, which shape well on a support (arch, trellis, pergola)
Branching: Moderate; over time it forms a strong framework
Shoots: Long, flexible, bend easily into the horizontal — important for abundant flowering on the side shoots
Thorns: Moderate number of prickles, typical of climbing HTs.
Dimensions: 200–400 cm high × 120–200 cm wide; with heavy pruning it is kept as a large shrub of 150–180 cm
Support: Needs support — a classic climber; looks best on an arch, pergola, trellis or south wall
Foliage: Dark green, semi-glossy, dense
Resistance: Resistant to black spot, good tolerance of powdery mildew, rust rare
Variations of the variety: Trade names: César® (Europe); Romantic Occasion (English-speaking markets)

Colour scheme

Outer petals cream-yellow, inner petals pink-salmon; the tone is richer in cool weather

Rose neighbours

Pierre de Ronsardcream-pink

Polkapeach-apricot

Crown Princess Margaretadeep apricot

Munstead Wooddark crimson · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Clematis 'Etoile Violette'purple

Purple foxglovepink-purple

Sagepurple

Lavenderlavender

Neighbouring roses

Cream and apricot roses, with Munstead Wood adding a dark crimson contrast:

Pierre de Ronsard Polka Crown Princess Margareta Munstead Wood

Companion perennials

A classic pairing for a climbing rose — purple clematis that climb the same support:

clematis 'Etoile Violette'purple foxglovesagelavender

Contrasting accents

Cool purple and silver — to 'cool down' the warm palette of the rose:

clematis 'Polish Spirit'artemisia 'Powis Castle'bronze fennel

More about the variety

Hips: Rarely, due to high doubleness
Variations of the variety: Trade names: César® (Europe); Romantic Occasion (English-speaking markets)

How to grow

Where to plant. Arches, pergolas, trellises, the south and south-west walls of houses, tall obelisks. Its flexible shoots bend easily into the horizontal — which encourages abundant flowering on the side shoots.

Climate. Tolerates −23 °C; in the northern regions of Ukraine it is best to take it down from its support and cover it for winter.

Care. Climber pruning is light (cut out only old or diseased shoots, shorten side shoots to 2–3 buds); it is important to train the main shoots horizontally.

About the name

Name. After Gaius Julius Caesar — an emperor, a military commander, a symbol of greatness. The name matches the scale and stately character of the climber.

Breeding. Bred by Alain Meilland at Meilland International (France), 1993; in commerce from 1994. Patent code MEIsardan. Synonym: Romantic Occasion (for English-speaking markets).

Significance. Created by Meilland at the peak of popularity of the Romantica® series — as 'a climber that resembles an old rose but with modern health'. One of the best-known climbing Romanticas, among the top garden climbers for arches and pergolas.

Frequently asked questions about César

Does César need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −23 °C (USDA zone 6–9). Overwintering depends on the conditions.

How many times a season does César flower?

Abundant first flowering in May–June, then weaker repeat flowering with pauses.

How big does César grow?

200–400 cm tall, 120–200 cm wide.

Which diseases affect César?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Excellent for a climbing HT; resistant to black spot and powdery mildew.

How much sun does César need?

Sun + partial shade; full sun or light partial shade in southern regions; in heat the colour fades to light cream.

What does César smell like?