Grand-Duc Jean

Where to plant. Natural romantic gardens, historical 'royal' themed groups, beside old walls and fences; the round 'hydrangea-like' flower clusters look good in partial shade — a rare quality in roses; lovely paired with pastel Hybrid Musks (Felicia, Penelope, Cornelia).

Climate. To −24 °C — in northern and central Ukraine with winter cover; the south — no cover; resistant to wind and rain.

Care. Minimal — Hybrid Musks of the Lens type have stood in gardens for 100+ years with little intervention. Sanitary pruning after the first flush of bloom is enough to encourage the next flushes.

Name. The variety is dedicated to Jean, Grand-Duc de Luxembourg (1921–2019). Jean ruled from 1964 to 2000 (36 years!), then abdicated in favour of his son Henri. A wartime hero — during the Second World War he took part in the liberation of Europe as part of the Irish Guards. He died in 2019 at the age of 98.

Breeding. Bred by Ann Velle-Boudolf — granddaughter of Louis Lens (1924–2001), the legendary Belgian breeder. This is the fourth generation of the Lens Roses house (Louvain, Belgium, founded in 1870 by Gustave Lens). Bred in 2010, christened in the 'Gaard um Titzebierg' garden in the presence of Grand Duke Jean himself — a symbolic family story.

Significance. It belongs to the Lens 'Luxembourg royal' series; its companion variety is 'Grand-Duc Henri' (Lens 2001), dedicated to Jean's son, the current ruler of Luxembourg. This makes a complete dynastic themed group: father and son Grand Dukes, each with a rose of their own. Lens Roses also breeds varieties named after outstanding European women (Marie Curie, Audrey Hepburn) and places (Bruges, Antwerpen). The variety is especially valued among Hybrid Musks collectors for its unique 'hydrangea-like' mass of deep crimson flowers with white centres — a rare combination in the class.