Lovely Rokoko, close-up of the flower
Back to catalogue
Floribunda / shrubTantau; Rokoko lineWhite and cream

Lovely Rokoko

A rare and unique variety with an unusual greenish-cream petal colour; a full, very double flower in the style of old roses — a true highlight of a collection.

Rare greenish-cream colour; green form (Lemon Rokoko)

Variety profileGardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat-flowering through the season

Awards

Collectible

Rare green colour — the pride of the collection

Winter hardiness

−23 °C

USDA zone 6–9. Forest-Steppe, Steppe; in the north — with protection.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

100–150 cm
person 170 cm100–150 cm
Habit
Spreading bush / small shrub
Dimensions
100–150 cm tall
Support
Not needed — a self-supporting bush.
Shoots
Sturdy, with large bright-green leaves
Branching
Good

Flower

8–10 cm
Bud shape
Round, greenish
Open flower
Very double, full rosette of old-fashioned type; diameter 8–10 cm
Centre
Compact, filled with petals
Fullness
Very double
Flower carriage
Singly and in small groups

Fragrance

Medium

Medium, with hints of rose hip (characteristic of the Rokoko line).

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

Good overall; preventive care in a damp summer.

Sun

Sun or partial shade

In cool weather and partial shade the green tone is brighter and lasts longer.

Thorns

Moderate
thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Moderately prickly.

Foliage

Large, bright green.

All characteristics in a table
Group
Floribunda / shrub
Breeder
Tantau; Rokoko line
Bud shape
Round, greenish
Open flower
Very double, full rosette of old-fashioned type; diameter 8–10 cm
Centre
Compact, filled with petals
Colour
An unusual greenish cream: the flower keeps a fresh light-green tone and gradually lightens to cream — a rare phenomenon among roses (the green form of the line, known as 'Lemon Rokoko')
Fullness
Very double
Flower carriage
Singly and in small groups
Flowering
Repeat-flowering through the season
Fragrance
Medium, with hints of rose hip (characteristic of the Rokoko line)
Habit
Spreading bush / small shrub
Branching
Good
Shoots
Sturdy, with large bright-green leaves
Thorns
Moderately prickly.
Dimensions
100–150 cm tall
Support
Not needed — a self-supporting bush.
Foliage
Large, bright green
Resistance
Good overall; preventive care in a damp summer
Variety line
The Rokoko family (Tantau) has several colour forms — apricot (the original), lemon-green, pink; this one is greenish

Colour scheme

An unusual greenish cream: the flower keeps a fresh light-green tone and gradually lightens to cream — a rare phenomenon among roses (the green form of the line, known as 'Lemon Rokoko')

Rose neighbours

Green Fashiongreenish creamElfecreamy greenishLovely Greengreen-creamCaramellacaramel yellow · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla)chartreuseLavenderlavenderCatmint 'Faassen'sky blueHeucherapurpleSpurge (Euphorbia)Spurge (Euphorbia)

Neighbouring roses

The greenish bloom looks best beside whites and creams, so it reads as a rare accent:

Green FashionElfeLovely GreenCaramella

Perennial companions

Chartreuse and silver foliage echoes the green of the bloom:

lady's mantle (Alchemilla)lavendercatmint 'Faassen'heucheraspurge (Euphorbia)

Contrasting accents

Purple foliage and lavender flowers highlight the unusual green:

Purple heucheraLavenderOrnamental grassesBlue hosta

More about the variety

Variety line
The Rokoko family (Tantau) has several colour forms — apricot (the original), lemon-green, pink; this one is greenish

How to grow

Where to plant. A collection bed, a rose garden, a container; an unusual green accent among white and cream varieties. Striking as a cut flower too — green roses are highly prized in floristry.

Climate. Tolerates frosts to about −23 °C, USDA 6–9. In the Forest-Steppe and Steppe it overwinters with light protection; in the north protection is essential.

Care. Formative pruning in spring, removal of spent flowers, disease prevention in a damp summer. In cooler conditions the green tone lasts longer.

About the name

Name. The full name of the variety is 'Lovely Rokoko'. 'Rokoko' (rococo) — after the lavish, ornamental art style of the XVIII century; the name highlights the very double, 'old-fashioned' flower form. The Rokoko line has several colour forms.

Breeding. The Rokoko family was bred by the German nursery Rosen Tantau (the original variety dates from 1987). The line has several colour forms; this one is greenish-cream.

Significance. Valued for its rare greenish-cream colour and its full, very double flower in the style of old roses — a true highlight of a collection and an unusual accent in the garden and in a bouquet.

Frequently asked questions about Lovely Rokoko

Does Lovely Rokoko need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −23 °C (USDA zone 6–9). Overwintering depends on the conditions. Forest-Steppe, Steppe; in the north — with protection.

How many times a season does Lovely Rokoko flower?

Repeat-flowering through the season.

How big does Lovely Rokoko grow?

100–150 cm tall.

Which diseases affect Lovely Rokoko?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Good; basic preventive care in a damp summer.

How much sun does Lovely Rokoko need?

Sun or partial shade; in cool weather and partial shade the green tone is brighter and lasts longer.

What does Lovely Rokoko smell like?

Medium, with hints of rose hip (characteristic of the Rokoko line).

Gardeners' photos and reviews

My climate

Choose a reference temperature to compare with the cultivar’s data. This is not an overwintering forecast or advice on winter protection; consider wind, moisture and the duration of frost.

Regional data are generalised. USDA describes average annual extreme minima, not a forecast; the values in the list are rounded. Check the conditions at your site. More information: Roses in Ukraine's climate.