About the name
Name. 'Papa Meilland', after Antoine 'Papa' Meilland, grandfather of Alain Meilland (a breeder) and father of Francis Meilland (the breeder of Peace). Antoine was the founder of the Meilland dynasty, a well-known French rose grower of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The variety is a family memorial to the 'founding grandfather' and one of the most personal names in the Meilland catalogue.
Breeding. Bred by Alain Meilland at Meilland International (France), the founder's grandson. Code MEIsar. 'MEIcesar' is a common error. Introduced 1963. Parentage: Chrysler Imperial (Lammerts 1952) × Charles Mallerin (Meilland 1947), both parents being classic dark-red Hybrid Teas that defined the look of modern deep-red HTs.
Significance. WFRS Hall of Fame 1988, one of the most important dark-red HT XX-century roses. James Alexander Gamble Rose Fragrance Award 1974, the highest American fragrance award (ARS, founded 1961). It is the benchmark for fragrant red Hybrid Teas: most modern deep reds have no scent (Black Baccara, Black Magic). Gold Medal Baden-Baden 1962. The Chrysler Imperial × Charles Mallerin parentage made it a donor of fragrance and dark colour for many later varieties (including Notturno Barni 1981, a direct descendant). Less resistant by modern standards, but it still ranks at the top for fragrance. Without Papa Meilland there would be no modern concept of a 'fragrant deep-red Hybrid Tea'.