About the name
Name. 'White Meidiland'. 'Meidiland' is the brand name of Meilland's series of landscape roses (from 'Mei' — Meilland — plus '-land', signifying a park or landscape function). The series was developed as a replacement for traditional shrub roses in public spaces and parks. Names in other countries: Blanc Meillandécor (France), Super Swany (as an 'improved Swany'), Alba Meidiland.
Breeding. Bred by Marie-Louise (Louisette) Meilland-Paolino at Meilland (Antibes, France). Code MEIcoublan. Bred 1986, registered 1987; US Patent PP6,088 (26 January 1988). Parentage: 'Temple Bells' × 'Coppélia '76'. NOT R. sempervirens (that is the parentage of Swany 1977, its predecessor in the same series).
Significance. One of the most 'spreading' roses in the Meidiland family — its spread (up to 2 m) with a small height (60–90 cm) makes it an ideal ground cover. Disease resistance without chemical treatments 5/5 — a benchmark for organic gardens. USDA 4b — record hardiness for ground cover roses: all of Ukraine without protection. The Meidiland Marie-Louise Meilland family: together with Bonica (WFRS HoF 2003!), Scarlet Meidiland, Swany, Magic Meidiland and Pink Meidiland, they form a full set of standard landscape roses. 60–70 petals in a very double form — a rarity for ground cover roses (they usually have 5–15 petals). Glossy dark green leaves of 3–7 leaflets — an extra decorative element. Tolerates partial shade — a rarity for roses. No fragrance — a deliberate choice for the Meidiland series (priority on resistance and flower numbers). Not in the WFRS Hall of Fame: the list has HoF Bonica '82 (its 'older sister'), not White Meidiland.