Guirlande d'Amour

Where to plant. Broad shrub plantings, natural flower gardens, along fences and trellises; it looks lovely on the south or east walls of houses as a delicate 'living wall'; paired with Grand-Duc Jean (also Lens), it makes a dramatic contrast of white and dark carmine; as a source of nectar, it is worth planting near an apiary or in a garden with a beekeeper.

Climate. Down to −29 °C — all of Ukraine with minimal cover; in the south, no cover needed; one of the hardiest white Hybrid Musks.

Care. Minimal — Hybrid Musks Lens have stood in gardens for 30+ years without chemicals; the ADR-certificate guarantees good health; prune only for hygiene, after the first flush or in winter; do not prune yearly like a HT.

Name. 'Guirlande d'Amour' — French for 'Garland of Love'. The name describes the giant pyramidal clusters of up to 80 flowers that hang like delicate lace garlands, creating the effect of 'snowfall on a branch'. In English-speaking countries the variety is sold as Garland of Love.

Breeding. Bred by Louis Lens (1924–2001), the legendary Belgian breeder, at Lens Roses (Louvier, Belgium). Introduced in 1993, code LENalbi. Parentage: 'Seagull' (Pritchard 1907, a historic rambler) × ('R. multiflora Nana' × 'Moonlight' Pemberton 1913). Lens specialised in modern Hybrid Musks — a continuation of the Pemberton line, but with better disease resistance and a wider colour range.

Significance. One of the benchmark Hybrid Musk shrubs in the Lens collection, essential in European rambler collections. ADR 2012, the highest award for robustness in Germany (4 years of independent testing), plus Gold Medal Kortrijk 1994. A special feature is the giant pyramidal clusters of up to 80 small flowers, which create the unique visual effect of a 'garland'. It is an excellent source of nectar, attracting bees and bumblebees, and useful in permaculture gardens and next to apiaries. In our catalogue it belongs to the Lens-family alongside Grand-Duc Jean (Lens 2010) and Bouquet Parfait (Lens 1989): three classics from the same house.