Shrub roseMassad / Guillot, 1999Red

Chantal Mérieux

Dominique Massad; a rich rose fragrance with myrrh and raspberry notes.

Generosa® · Guillot collection

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat flowering

Abundant, continuous from May to November — a model of repeat flowering in Generosa. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Awards

Generosa®

Classic Guillot series

Winter hardiness

−23 °C

USDA zone 6–9. RHS H6 · all of Ukraine with moderate winter cover.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

80–150 × 60–100 cm

Habit: Dense and upright — the typical Generosa habit
Dimensions: 80–150 cm tall × 60–100 cm wide; per Guillot — 150 × 80 cm
Support: No support needed — a standard upright shrub
Shoots: Sturdy, holding the double flowers well
Branching: Good; the bush looks rounded

Flower

8–12,5 cm

Bud shape: Rounded-conical, deep carmine in tone
Open flower: Quartered, with ruffled petal edges, resembling a peony; diameter 8–12.5 cm
Centre: Dense quartered centre with several sectors of petals
Fullness: Very double, 60–70 petals
Flower carriage: Flowers single or in groups of 3

Fragrance

Strong

Strong (5/5) — notes of rose, raspberry, myrrh, anise and cider, with a hint of lily of the valley — one of the most complex Massad scents.

Disease resistance

5 out of 5

Black spotresistantPowdery mildewresistantRustresistant

5/5 — resistant to black spot, powdery mildew and rust; one of the healthiest Generosas.

Sun

Full sun, south or west exposure

Good air circulation.

Thorns

Many

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Many thorns — described by Promesse de Roses as 'formidable thorns'.

Foliage

Dark green, semi-glossy, healthy.

Other names

Breeder's code MASCHAME.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Shrub rose
Breeder: Massad / Guillot, 1999
Bud shape: Rounded-conical, deep carmine in tone
Open flower: Quartered, with ruffled petal edges, resembling a peony; diameter 8–12.5 cm
Centre: Dense quartered centre with several sectors of petals
Colour: Rich medium pink that fades over time to silvery pink; the RHS describes it as 'carmine pink'
Fullness: Very double, 60–70 petals
Flower carriage: Flowers single or in groups of 3
Flowering: Abundant, continuous from May to November — a model of repeat flowering in Generosa
Fragrance: Strong (5/5) — notes of rose, raspberry, myrrh, anise and cider, with a hint of lily of the valley — one of the most complex Massad scents
Hips: Data not verified
Habit: Dense and upright — the typical Generosa habit
Branching: Good; the bush looks rounded
Shoots: Sturdy, holding the double flowers well
Thorns: Many thorns — described by Promesse de Roses as 'formidable thorns'.
Dimensions: 80–150 cm tall × 60–100 cm wide; per Guillot — 150 × 80 cm
Support: No support needed — a standard upright shrub
Foliage: Dark green, semi-glossy, healthy
Resistance: 5/5 — resistant to black spot, powdery mildew and rust; one of the healthiest Generosas
Variations of the variety: The patent code MASCHAME is also found as MASmaric (a variant spelling)

Colour scheme

Rich medium pink that fades over time to silvery pink; the RHS describes it as 'carmine pink'

Rose neighbours

Château du Ludefuchsia-pink

Gertrude Jekyllbright pink

Mary Rosewarm pink

Icebergpure white · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Catmint 'Walker's Low'blue

Sage 'Caradonna'purple

Delphinium 'Magic Fountains'blue

Box (edging)lavenderBox (edging)

Neighbouring roses

Other pink Generosa and English roses — for a romantic French-style garden:

Château du Lude Gertrude Jekyll Mary Rose Iceberg

Companion perennials

Classic French garden plants — violet-blue and white spires:

catmint 'Walker's Low'sage 'Caradonna'delphinium 'Magic Fountains'box (edging)

Contrasting accents

Silver and dark-leaved plants — for depth:

lavender 'Hidcote'heuchera 'Plum Pudding'love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus)

More about the variety

Hips: Data not verified
Variations of the variety: The patent code MASCHAME is also found as MASmaric (a variant spelling)

How to grow

Where to plant. French 'château' garden beds, box-edged borders, formal borders in the English style, the centre of a romantic flower garden; because of the strong scent, beside paths or windows.

Climate. RHS H6, to −23 °C — suitable for all of Ukraine with moderate protection in the northern regions.

Care. Minimal — Generosa-quality with healthy foliage. Removing spent flowers encourages new flushes; formative pruning in spring. A sunny, airy site.

About the name

Name. After Chantal Mérieux, wife of Alain Mérieux, patron of the Mérieux biotechnology institute in Lyon (France). The rose became a family dedication from Massad.

Breeding. Bred by Dominique Massad in France; introduced by the nursery Roseraies Pierre Guillot in 1999. Patent code MASCHAME. Belongs to the Generosa® series — Guillot's flagship line, combining the nostalgic forms of old roses with modern health.

Significance. One of the classic Generosas with the most complex fragrance (myrrh + raspberry + anise + cider + lily of the valley). Earned RHS H6 for hardiness, and a high disease-resistance rating (5/5) make it a reliable choice for Ukrainian gardens.

Frequently asked questions about Chantal Mérieux

Does Chantal Mérieux 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 Chantal Mérieux flower?

Abundant, continuous from May to November — a model of repeat flowering in Generosa.

How big does Chantal Mérieux grow?

80–150 cm tall, 60–100 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Chantal Mérieux?

Overall resistance: 5 out of 5. Resistant to black spot, powdery mildew and rust — a model of the Generosa series.

How much sun does Chantal Mérieux need?

Sun; full sun, south or west exposure; good air circulation.

What does Chantal Mérieux smell like?