Charles Aznavour

Where to plant. Borders, the front of a bed with low perennials, group plantings of 3–5 bushes; thanks to its compact shape and lack of scent, it suits open, airy sites.

Climate. To −20 °C — in Ukraine it needs winter cover in the northern regions (Sumy and Chernihiv regions); in the centre and further south there is no problem.

Care. Minimal, thanks to excellent disease resistance. Removing spent flowers encourages new flushes; formative pruning in spring.

Name. After Charles Aznavour (1924–2018), the legendary Armenian-French singer-songwriter, actor, composer and Armenia's ambassador to Switzerland. Aznavour himself took part in the variety's presentation in Paris.

Breeding. Bred by Alain Meilland at Meilland International (France); officially registered in 1988 (shown at competitions from 1987). Patent code MEIbeausai. Parentage: Coppélia '76 × Nirvana ® (both Meilland floribundas from 1975).

Significance. A classic example of Meilland's 'star' commercial varieties named after celebrities — alongside Catherine Deneuve, Pierre Cardin, Princesse Charlene de Monaco and Yves Piaget. What made it a classic was four gold medals in two years (Bagatelle, Courtrai 1987; Baden-Baden 1988; Tokyo Silver 1988) — a phenomenal result that gave the variety a place in the standard range of almost every European nursery for 35+ years. In Europe it is sold mostly under the name Matilda (especially in Germany and Belgium) — not a mistake, the same variety.