Large-Flowered ClimberMeilland, 1998Yellow

Michka

A Meilland climber with a changeable amber-pink tone; sold under several trade names.

Also Garden Sun, Amber Glow

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat, in flushes

Repeat-flowering in flushes from June to October. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Feature

Climber

Long, vigorous canes · for trellis, pergola, wall or fence

Winter hardiness

−20 °C

USDA zone 6b–9b. Centre and south; in the north — with winter cover.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

200–350 × 200–250 cm

Habit: Climbing, very vigorous
Dimensions: 200–350 cm tall × up to 200–250 cm wide
Support: Needs support — trellis, pergola, fence, wall
Shoots: Long, relatively flexible — easy to tie in
Branching: Long, strong canes

Flower

≈ 10 cm

35–40 petals.

Bud shape: Amber-yellow, with pink along the edge
Open flower: Semi-double to double, cupped; diameter about 10 cm
Centre: Moderately dense
Fullness: Semi-double to double, about 35–40 petals
Flower carriage: 2–5 flowers per stem

Fragrance

Weak; mild citrus

Weak — mild citrus (lemon); some catalogues mention notes of aniseed and honey.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

According to nursery descriptions — healthy, disease-free.

Sun

Sun / partial shade

Tolerates light shading.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Approximate; no precise data on prickliness in the sources.

Foliage

Healthy, glossy, dark green.

Other names

Breeder's code MEIvaleir.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Large-Flowered Climber
Breeder: Meilland, 1998
Bud shape: Amber-yellow, with pink along the edge
Open flower: Semi-double to double, cupped; diameter about 10 cm
Centre: Moderately dense
Colour: Ochre-yellow (amber) petals with a carmine-pink glow along the edges; the pink becomes more pronounced as the flower nears the end of its bloom
Fullness: Semi-double to double, about 35–40 petals
Flower carriage: 2–5 flowers per stem
Flowering: Repeat-flowering in flushes from June to October
Fragrance: Weak — mild citrus (lemon); some catalogues mention notes of aniseed and honey
Hips: Usually cut off for repeat flowering
Habit: Climbing, very vigorous
Branching: Long, strong canes
Shoots: Long, relatively flexible — easy to tie in
Thorns: Approximate; no precise data on prickliness in the sources.
Dimensions: 200–350 cm tall × up to 200–250 cm wide
Support: Needs support — trellis, pergola, fence, wall
Foliage: Healthy, glossy, dark green
Resistance: According to nursery descriptions — healthy, disease-free
Variations of the variety: Sold under several names: Garden Sun (USA), Amber Glow, Valerie, Göteborgs Rosarium

Colour scheme

Ochre-yellow (amber) petals with a carmine-pink glow along the edges; the pink becomes more pronounced as the flower nears the end of its bloom

Rose neighbours

Golden Celebrationgolden yellow

Graham Thomaspure yellow

Crown Princess Margaretaapricot-peach

Blue for Yousmoky purple · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavender 'Munstead'lavender

Catmintsky blue

Caradonna sagepurple

Delphiniumblue

Neighbouring roses

Yellow and apricot varieties keep a warm 'amber' mood around Michka.

Golden Celebration Graham Thomas Crown Princess Margareta Blue for You

Companion perennials

Blue-purple flowers give deep contrast to the amber-yellow:

lavender 'Munstead'catmintCaradonna sagedelphinium

Contrasting accents

Blue spires and a sheer 'haze' beside the support emphasise the climbing vertical:

DelphiniumPerovskiaClematis viticella

More about the variety

Hips: Usually cut off for repeat flowering
Variations of the variety: Sold under several names: Garden Sun (USA), Amber Glow, Valerie, Göteborgs Rosarium

How to grow

Where to plant. For an arch, a pergola, a wall trellis or a fence — a vigorous climber that quickly covers vertical space with warm amber-pink flowers.

Climate. The centre and south of Ukraine — good; in the north — with cover at the base, and the canes taken off the trellis for winter (USDA zone 6b).

Care. Tie the canes horizontally for abundant flowering on the side shoots, cut back weak canes in spring, feed twice per season.

About the name

Name. 'Michka' — a diminutive of Michel; in Slavic languages 'little mouse / little bear'. The name is also used for the well-known French children's tale 'Michka' (Marie Colmont, 1941) about a plush little bear. An official Meilland motif is not confirmed in the sources.

Breeding. Bred by Alain Meilland (Meilland nursery) in 1998. Patent code MEIvaleir. Parentage: MEIpalsar × (KORwest × Circus).

Significance. A climbing rose with a changeable amber-pink colour; sold in various countries under the trade names Garden Sun, Amber Glow, Valerie, Göteborgs Rosarium.

Frequently asked questions about Michka

Does Michka need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −20 °C (USDA zone 6b–9b). Overwintering depends on the conditions. Centre and south; in the north — with winter cover.

How many times a season does Michka flower?

Repeat-flowering in flushes from June to October.

How big does Michka grow?

200–350 cm tall, 200–250 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Michka?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Healthy, resistant (according to nursery descriptions; no precise rating).

How much sun does Michka need?

Sun / partial shade; tolerates light shading.

What does Michka smell like?