Photo: NIRP International (official nursery photo)

Hybrid TeaMichel Adam; NIRP International, 1993Red

Grande Classe

Velvety deep red Hybrid Tea with a rich fragrance; silver medal at Monza 1995; fragrance prize (Hamilton, New Zealand, 2006); hardy to −15…−20 °C.

Lasting Love / Commandant Cousteau / Le Grand Huit

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat, in flushes

In flushes, from May until the frosts. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Awards

Monza 1995

Silver + fragrance prizes (according to various sources)

Plant size

80–100 × 50–60 cm

Habit: Compact, upright, bushy
Dimensions: 80–100 (up to 120) × 50–60 cm
Support: Not needed
Shoots: Strong, hold the flower well
Branching: Dense, even

Flower

10–13 cm

Bud shape: Elongated, classic Hybrid Tea form, opens slowly
Open flower: Cup-shaped, high-centred, very double
Fullness: Very double, 24–40 petals
Flower carriage: Singly on a strong flower stalk; holds its shape well

Fragrance

Strong; fruity raspberry

Strong, fruity raspberry, with notes of old rose and wine.

Sun

Full sun

Fading — no data.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

No data on thorn numbers — the mark is placed in the middle by convention.

Foliage

Glossy, dark green.

Other names

Lasting Love, Commandant Cousteau, Le Grand Huit

All characteristics in a table

Group: Hybrid Tea
Breeder: Michel Adam; NIRP International, France, 1993
Bud shape: Elongated, classic Hybrid Tea form, opens slowly
Open flower: Cup-shaped, high-centred, very double
Colour: Deep red, velvety, with a raspberry sheen; no data on fading in the sun
Fullness: Very double, 24–40 petals
Flower carriage: Singly on a strong flower stalk; holds its shape well
Flowering: In flushes, from May until the frosts
Fragrance: Strong, fruity raspberry, with notes of old rose and wine
Hips: No data
Habit: Compact, upright, bushy
Branching: Dense, even
Shoots: Strong, hold the flower well
Thorns: No data on thorn numbers — the mark is placed in the middle by convention.
Dimensions: 80–100 (up to 120) × 50–60 cm
Support: Not needed
Foliage: Glossy, dark green
Resistance: According to NIRP — high; according to other sources — typical Hybrid Tea risks (black spot, powdery mildew)
Variations of the variety: Code ADHarman; synonyms Lasting Love, Commandant Cousteau, Le Grand Huit; parents Color Wonder (Kordes, 1964) × Manou Meilland. Not to be confused with another variety in the catalogue — Grande Amore (KORcoluma, Kordes, 2004)

Colour scheme

Deep red, velvety, with a raspberry sheen; no data on fading in the sun

Rose neighbours

Mister Lincolnvelvety red

Kardinalcrimson red

Dame de Coeurcherry red

Icebergpure white · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavenderlilac-blue

Catmint (Nepeta)blue-violet

Betony (Stachys)silver foliage

Gypsophilawhite

Neighbouring roses

Mister Lincoln, Kardinal, Dame de Cœur and Precious Platinum — one colour family of dark and bright red Hybrid Teas that bring out the velvety depth of Grande Classe.

Mister Lincoln Kardinal Dame de Coeur Iceberg

Companion perennials

Blue, lilac and silver neighbours set off the red:

lavendercatmint (Nepeta)betony (Stachys)gypsophila

Names in different countries

Because of licensing in different countries, the variety reached the market under several trade names.

Lasting LoveCommandant CousteauLe Grand HuitADHarman

More about the variety

Hips: No data
Variations of the variety: Code ADHarman; synonyms Lasting Love, Commandant Cousteau, Le Grand Huit; parents Color Wonder (Kordes, 1964) × Manou Meilland. Not to be confused with another variety in the catalogue — Grande Amore (KORcoluma, Kordes, 2004)

How to grow

Where to plant. As a specimen plant or in small groups in a rose garden, in a prominent position — the velvety colour and strong fragrance are best appreciated up close; also suitable for cutting.

Climate. On the RHS scale it corresponds to zone H6 (hardiness to about −15…−20 °C), on USDA zone 6–7; in Ukrainian winters it needs winter cover.

Care. Standard care for Hybrid Teas — full sun, regular watering and feeding for abundant flushes of bloom from May until the frosts.

About the name

Name. 'Grande Classe' translates as 'higher class, refinement' — a hint at the flawless form of the flower and the rich fragrance of the variety.

Breeding. The variety was bred by French breeder Michel Adam and presented by the company NIRP International; bred around 1990, registered in 1993 under the code name ADHarman. Parentage: Color Wonder (Kordes, 1964) × Manou Meilland. Important: although one of the parents is a Meilland variety, Grande Classe itself does not belong to Meilland's breeding programme.

Significance. A strongly fragrant deep red Hybrid Tea that was sold under the names Lasting Love, Commandant Cousteau and Le Grand Huit in various countries. Not to be confused with another variety in the catalogue — Grande Amore (KORcoluma, Kordes, 2004): the names are similar, but the origins are different.

Frequently asked questions about Grande Classe

How many times a season does Grande Classe flower?

In flushes, from May until the frosts.

How big does Grande Classe grow?

80–100 cm tall, 50–60 cm wide.

How much sun does Grande Classe need?

Full sun; fading — no data.

What does Grande Classe smell like?