Climbing Hybrid TeaMeilland, 2003Pink

Dee Dee Bridgewater

Named after jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater; a sister variety of 'Marmalade Skies'.

Meilland · the 'jazz' dedication series

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Good repeat flowering, with a pronounced first wave and an abundant second

Awards

Meilland

A popular variety among climber collectors

Winter hardiness

−20 °C

USDA zone 6b–9b. In Ukraine with winter protection.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

200–250 × 150–250 cm

Habit: Powerful climber; covers 6–10 m² of space
Dimensions: 200–250 cm tall × 150–250 cm wide; a large climber
Support: Needs support: arch, pergola, trellis or south wall
Shoots: Long, well formed on a support (arch, pergola)
Branching: Good; over time it forms a large framework

Flower

10–12 cm

Bud shape: Elongated, high-centred, deep coral-pink
Open flower: Classic Hybrid Tea turbinate form with a high centre; 10–12 cm across
Centre: Dense coral-orange heart
Fullness: Fully double, 30–35 petals
Flower carriage: Mostly borne singly, on the stem

Fragrance

Moderate

Moderate, spicy, with notes of anise and fruit.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

Good, typical Meilland-quality.

Sun

Full sun for abundant flowering and rich colour

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Moderate thorns, typical of climbing HTs.

Foliage

Dark green, leathery.

Other names

Breeder's code MEItandar.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Climbing Hybrid Tea
Breeder: Meilland, 2003
Bud shape: Elongated, high-centred, deep coral-pink
Open flower: Classic Hybrid Tea turbinate form with a high centre; 10–12 cm across
Centre: Dense coral-orange heart
Colour: Intense salmon-pink with coral highlights, with orange-apricot shadows in places
Fullness: Fully double, 30–35 petals
Flower carriage: Mostly borne singly, on the stem
Flowering: Good repeat flowering, with a pronounced first wave and an abundant second
Fragrance: Moderate, spicy, with notes of anise and fruit
Hips: Rare
Habit: Powerful climber; covers 6–10 m² of space
Branching: Good; over time it forms a large framework
Shoots: Long, well formed on a support (arch, pergola)
Thorns: Moderate thorns, typical of climbing HTs.
Dimensions: 200–250 cm tall × 150–250 cm wide; a large climber
Support: Needs support: arch, pergola, trellis or south wall
Foliage: Dark green, leathery
Resistance: Good, typical Meilland-quality
Variations of the variety: Sister variety: Marmalade Skies (by HMF); in French it also appears as 'Dee Dee' (without the surname)

Colour scheme

Intense salmon-pink with coral highlights, with orange-apricot shadows in places

Neighbouring roses and clematis

Warm climbing partners + purple clematis for a classic contrast:

César Dancing QueenClematis 'Polish Spirit'Clematis 'Princess Diana'

Perennial companions

Warm yellow-orange + purple lavender for contrast:

gaillardia 'Arizona Sun'coreopsis 'Moonbeam'soft lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis)lavender 'Munstead'

Availability worldwide

One of the top climbers in Ukraine:

🇫🇷 Europe: Meilland Richardier · Plaisir Jardin · PharmaRosa
🇺🇸 USA: rare · via Meilland International
🇯🇵 Asia: Japanese collections · PharmaRosa partners
🇺🇦 Ukraine: SadzhanciDerev · KutaRose · EDROSES · Rozem

More about the variety

Hips: Rare
Variations of the variety: Sister variety: Marmalade Skies (by HMF); in French it also appears as 'Dee Dee' (without the surname)

How to grow

Where to plant. Arches, pergolas, trellises, south and west house walls (its large spread of 6–10 m² means it needs room); paired with purple clematis for a dramatic contrast with the coral.

Climate. Down to −20 °C; in Ukraine with winter protection in most regions except the far south.

Care. Light formative pruning of the climber; it is important to train the main shoots horizontally for abundant side flowering.

About the name

Name. After Denise 'Dee Dee' Bridgewater (born 1950, Memphis), one of the best-known jazz singers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, winner of three Grammy Awards and a Tony Award. A US citizen, she has lived in France since 1986, which is why the variety has a personal link to France.

Breeding. IMPORTANT, this is a Meilland variety, not Delbard (a common mistake, because of its similarity to Delbard's line of dedications to chansonniers such as Charles Aznavour). Raised at Meilland International, registered 2003, commercialised by Meilland Richardier in France in 2004. Patent code MEItandar. Parentage not published.

Significance. One of Meilland's roses dedicated to jazz performers (alongside Édith Piaf, Yves Piaget and others). Sister variety: 'Marmalade Skies' (by HMF). In Ukraine, one of the top salmon-coral climbers, very popular in large nurseries.

Frequently asked questions about Dee Dee Bridgewater

Does Dee Dee Bridgewater need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −20 °C (USDA zone 6b–9b). Overwintering depends on the conditions. In Ukraine with winter protection.

How many times a season does Dee Dee Bridgewater flower?

Good repeat flowering, with a pronounced first wave and an abundant second.

How big does Dee Dee Bridgewater grow?

200–250 cm tall, 150–250 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Dee Dee Bridgewater?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Good, typical Meilland-quality.

How much sun does Dee Dee Bridgewater need?

Sun; full sun for abundant flowering and rich colour.

What does Dee Dee Bridgewater smell like?