Shrub / HTDelbardPink

La Rose de Molinard

Arnaud Delbard; perfume for the Molinard house in Grasse, 1849; 14 medals; ADR certificate.

Les Grands Parfums Delbard · ADR

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Abundant repeat flowering throughout the season

Awards

14 medals

ADR · Gold Rome 2006 · Lyon 2007 · NIAB Gold 2010

Winter hardiness

−20 °C

USDA zone 6b. In Ukraine with winter protection in the northern regions.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

100–150 × 70–90 cm

Habit: Dense upright shrub; can reach 180 cm when growing freely
Dimensions: 100–150 cm tall × 70–90 cm wide (up to 180 cm when growing freely)
Support: Needs no support
Shoots: Sturdy; they carry the large double flowers well
Branching: Good; the bush looks round

Flower

9–13 cm

Bud shape: Round-conical, deep pink
Open flower: Very double, nostalgic (old-fashioned) cupped; 9–13 cm across
Centre: Dense pink heart with petal swirls
Fullness: Very double, 65–85 petals
Flower carriage: Mostly large flowers borne singly on the stem

Fragrance

Strong

Very strong; notes of grapefruit, raspberry, violet, iris, honeysuckle and linden. This scent became the basis of the 'La Rose' perfume from the Molinard house.

Disease resistance

5 out of 5

5/5. It holds an ADR certificate (Allgemeine Deutsche Rosenneuheitenprüfung), Europe's toughest test for rose health.

Sun

Full sun for abundant flowering and the release of its fragrance

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Moderate number.

Foliage

Dark green, leathery, healthy.

Other names

Parfum de Paris, Gulilah

All characteristics in a table

Group: Shrub / HT
Breeder: Delbard
Bud shape: Round-conical, deep pink
Open flower: Very double, nostalgic (old-fashioned) cupped; 9–13 cm across
Centre: Dense pink heart with petal swirls
Colour: Deep warm pink with a lighter reverse; it does not fade, a rare quality for warm pinks
Fullness: Very double, 65–85 petals
Flower carriage: Mostly large flowers borne singly on the stem
Flowering: Abundant repeat flowering throughout the season
Fragrance: Very strong; notes of grapefruit, raspberry, violet, iris, honeysuckle and linden. This scent became the basis of the 'La Rose' perfume from the Molinard house
Hips: Do not form
Habit: Dense upright shrub; can reach 180 cm when growing freely
Branching: Good; the bush looks round
Shoots: Sturdy; they carry the large double flowers well
Thorns: Moderate number.
Dimensions: 100–150 cm tall × 70–90 cm wide (up to 180 cm when growing freely)
Support: Needs no support
Foliage: Dark green, leathery, healthy
Resistance: 5/5. It holds an ADR certificate (Allgemeine Deutsche Rosenneuheitenprüfung), Europe's toughest test for rose health
Variations of the variety: Market synonyms: Parfum de Paris, Gulilah

Colour scheme

Deep warm pink with a lighter reverse; it does not fade, a rare quality for warm pinks

Rose neighbours

Chantal Mérieuxdeep pink

Gertrude Jekyllraspberry-pink

Dames de Chenonceaucoral-pink

Blue for Yousmoky purple · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Sage 'Caradonna'purple

Catmint 'Six Hills Giant'blue

Lavender 'Hidcote'lavender

Phlox 'David'lime-greenPhlox 'David'

Neighbouring roses

Other deep-pink varieties for a romantic fragrance garden:

Chantal Mérieux Gertrude Jekyll Dames de Chenonceau Blue for You

Perennial companions

Scent partners — plants that smell good alongside the rose:

sage 'Caradonna'catmint 'Six Hills Giant'lavender 'Hidcote'phlox 'David'

Availability worldwide

A top perfume rose from Delbard in the 2000s — widely represented:

🇫🇷 Europe: Delbard · Trevor White · RosesABC
🇺🇸 USA: Highgarden Roses · Grace Rose Farm
🇯🇵 Asia: Japanese nurseries, following the awards
🇺🇦 Ukraine: Megasad · Redberry · Tsvitsad · EDROSES

More about the variety

Hips: Do not form
Variations of the variety: Market synonyms: Parfum de Paris, Gulilah

How to grow

Where to plant. Fragrance beds beside paths and windows, a scent garden next to lavender and phlox; a 'tasting' border where all the notes can be sensed, by a seating area.

Climate. Down to −20 °C; in Ukraine with winter protection in the northern regions.

Care. Minimal, thanks to the ADR certificate. Removing spent flowers encourages new waves; formative pruning in spring.

About the name

Name. After the Parisian perfume house Molinard, founded in 1849 in Grasse, the capital of the world's perfume industry. The variety's scent became the basis of the 'La Rose' perfume of this house, a symbol of the union of the rose and perfumery.

Breeding. Raised by Arnaud Delbard at Pépinières et Roseraies Georges Delbard (France), 1998; commercialised in 2008. Parentage: 'Centenaire de Lourdes'® × 'Commandant Cousteau' (Adam 1993). It belongs to the Les Grands Parfums Delbard series, Delbard's flagship fragrance line. Market synonyms: Parfum de Paris, Gulilah.

Significance. The peak of the Grands Parfums Delbard series, with 14 medals in all: Gold Rome 2006, Grande Rose du Siècle Lyon 2007, Silver Gifu (Japan) 2008, Gold NIAB England 2010, Diploma Nantes 2010, and the ADR certificate (Europe's toughest test for rose health). It combines a rare set of perfume notes (grapefruit, raspberry, violet, iris, honeysuckle and linden) with 5/5 disease resistance.

Frequently asked questions about La Rose de Molinard

Does La Rose de Molinard need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −20 °C (USDA zone 6b). Overwintering depends on the conditions. In Ukraine with winter protection in the northern regions.

How many times a season does La Rose de Molinard flower?

Abundant repeat flowering throughout the season.

How big does La Rose de Molinard grow?

100–150 cm tall, 70–90 cm wide.

Which diseases affect La Rose de Molinard?

Overall resistance: 5 out of 5. ADR certificate, Europe's toughest test for rose health.

How much sun does La Rose de Molinard need?

Sun; full sun for abundant flowering and the release of its fragrance.

What does La Rose de Molinard smell like?