Modern Shrub / Climber; WFRS Hall of Fame 2015Francis & Marie-Louisette Meilland; Meilland InternationalRed

Cocktail

Bright red (geranium-carmine) with a yellow eye that turns red with age; WFRS Hall of Fame 2015 (16th induction, World Rose Convention in Lyon, 27.05.2015); the 5th Meilland variety in the Hall of Fame after Peace, Papa Meilland, Bonica and Pierre de Ronsard; single, 5-petalled, with a three-phase colour – a rare quality among HoF roses.

WFRS HoF 2015 — 5th Meilland variety in the Hall of Fame (after Peace, Papa Meilland, Bonica, Pierre de Ronsard)

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Abundant and continuous, repeating throughout the season

Legacy

WFRS HoF 2015

5th Meilland in the HoF

Winter hardiness

−32 °C

USDA zone 4b. All of Ukraine without winter protection.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

185–245 × 90–120 cm

Habit: Dual nature: a shrub in northern climates / a climber in southern ones
Dimensions: 185–245 cm tall × 90–120 cm wide – as a shrub or a small climber; it may be shorter in the north
Support: As a shrub it needs no support; as a climber – an arch or pergola
Shoots: Long, flexible
Branching: Well branched

Flower

5-6 cm

Bud shape: Small, round, dark red
Open flower: SINGLE (5 petals): 5–6 cm, in fluffy clusters – a rarity among WFRS HoF roses (most HoF roses are double)
Centre: Bright yellow eye with golden stamens against a red background – the characteristic ‘cocktail’ contrast
Fullness: 5 petals (single)
Flower carriage: In fluffy clusters – creating a ‘cocktail’ visual effect

Fragrance

Delicate; spicy

Delicate, spicy.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

Powdery mildewresistant

Very good, 4/5, especially against powdery mildew. USDA 4b – all of Ukraine without winter protection.

Sun

Full sun

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Moderate number of thorns – typical of Meilland.

Foliage

Dark green, glossy, healthy.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Modern Shrub / Climber; WFRS Hall of Fame 2015
Breeder: Francis & Marie-Louisette Meilland; Meilland International, France
Bud shape: Small, round, dark red
Open flower: SINGLE (5 petals): 5–6 cm, in fluffy clusters – a rarity among WFRS HoF roses (most HoF roses are double)
Centre: Bright yellow eye with golden stamens against a red background – the characteristic ‘cocktail’ contrast
Colour: THREE-PHASE METAMORPHOSIS: bright red (geranium-carmine) with a yellow eye – the yellow eye darkens with age – turns into solid red. All phases are present on the bush at the same time
Fullness: 5 petals (single)
Flower carriage: In fluffy clusters – creating a ‘cocktail’ visual effect
Flowering: Abundant and continuous, repeating throughout the season
Fragrance: Delicate, spicy
Hips: Small hips in autumn
Habit: Dual nature: a shrub in northern climates / a climber in southern ones
Branching: Well branched
Shoots: Long, flexible
Thorns: Moderate number of thorns – typical of Meilland.
Dimensions: 185–245 cm tall × 90–120 cm wide – as a shrub or a small climber; it may be shorter in the north
Support: As a shrub it needs no support; as a climber – an arch or pergola
Foliage: Dark green, glossy, healthy
Resistance: Very good, 4/5, especially against powdery mildew. USDA 4b – all of Ukraine without winter protection
Variations of the variety: Code MEImick. Registered 1956, introduced 1957 by Meilland International. Breeders: Francis Meilland (who started the work) + Marie-Louisette Meilland. Parentage: ('Independence' × 'Orange Triumph') × 'Phyllis Bide' – a triple cross

Colour scheme

THREE-PHASE METAMORPHOSIS: bright red (geranium-carmine) with a yellow eye – the yellow eye darkens with age – turns into solid red. All phases are present on the bush at the same time

Rose neighbours

Papa Meillanddark burgundy

Peacecreamy yellow with pink

Double Delightcreamy red bicolour

Icebergpure white · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavenderlavender

Coreopsisyellow

Lamb's earssilvery

Catmint (Nepeta)sky blue

Neighbouring roses

Meilland WFRS HoF collection — all 5 Meilland varieties in the Hall of Fame together:

Papa Meilland Peace Double Delight Iceberg

Companion perennials

A contrasting palette that highlights the yellow eye:

lavendercoreopsislamb's earscatmint (Nepeta)

Availability worldwide

⭐⭐⭐ WFRS HoF 2015 — one of the best-known Meillands:

🇫🇷 France: very high · homeland🇪🇺 Europe: very high🇺🇸 USA: high🇺🇦 Ukraine: high

More about the variety

Hips: Small hips in autumn
Variations of the variety: Code MEImick. Registered 1956, introduced 1957 by Meilland International. Breeders: Francis Meilland (who started the work) + Marie-Louisette Meilland. Parentage: ('Independence' × 'Orange Triumph') × 'Phyllis Bide' – a triple cross

How to grow

Where to plant. As a ‘cocktail’ accent in the garden thanks to its unique colour; on a small arch or pergola as a climber in southern regions; as a large shrub rose in the north; in a WFRS HoF collection alongside other Meilland HoF roses.

Climate. All of Ukraine without winter protection (USDA 4b); it copes well with summer heat without fading.

Care. Moderate. Full sun; resistance to powdery mildew; feed 2–3× per season; prune weak shoots in spring.

About the name

Name. 'Cocktail', meaning a mixed drink – for the unique mix of red and yellow in one flower, like a cocktail of colours. A poetic French name, typical of Meilland in the 1950s (Bonica, Peace, Cocktail). Bred by Francis Meilland (who started the work) and Marie-Louisette Meilland at Meilland International (Antibes, France). Code MEImick. Registered 1956, introduced 1957. Parentage: ('Independence' × 'Orange Triumph') × 'Phyllis Bide' – a triple cross.

Significance. WFRS HALL OF FAME 2015 – officially confirmed at the 16th induction, World Rose Convention in Lyon, 27.05.2015. The fifth Meilland in the Hall of Fame, after Peace (1976), Papa Meilland (1988), Bonica (2003) and Pierre de Ronsard (2006). SINGLE (5 petals) in WFRS HoF – a rarity among HoF roses (most are double). Three-phase colour change – carmine with a yellow eye, turning into solid red. USDA 4b – all of Ukraine without winter protection. A dual nature: shrub or climber – versatile for any garden. The 1950s Meilland heritage: together with Peace (1942) and Bonica (1981), Cocktail forms an iconic French collection.

Frequently asked questions about Cocktail

Does Cocktail need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −32 °C (USDA zone 4b). Overwintering depends on the conditions. All of Ukraine without winter protection.

How many times a season does Cocktail flower?

Abundant and continuous, repeating throughout the season.

How big does Cocktail grow?

185–245 cm tall, 90–120 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Cocktail?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Very good resistance to powdery mildew.

How much sun does Cocktail need?

Sun; full sun.

What does Cocktail smell like?