About the name
Name. 'Yves Piaget' — after Yves Piaget (born 1942), the Swiss jeweller and watchmaker, president of the Piaget house (founded in 1874 in La Côte-aux-Fées, Switzerland). Piaget has been a passionate rose enthusiast since 1977. First patron of the WFRS (World Federation of Rose Societies). Initiator of the Geneva International Rose Trials and the Monaco Rose Trials — two of the most influential European rose competitions. A poetic dedication from Meilland to the most influential rose enthusiast in the world.
Breeding. Bred by Marie-Louise Meilland at Meilland (Antibes, France). Code MEIvildo. Bred 1975, introduced in France in 1983. US Patent PP6,895 (1989). Parentage: [(Pharaoh × Peace) × (Chrysler Imperial × Charles Mallerin)] × Tamango® — a complex 5-ancestor formula that explains its exceptional fragrance. Belongs to the Romantica® / Meilland Jardin & Parfum series — a Meilland series focused on fragrant HTs with good garden performance.
Significance. ~8 INTERNATIONAL AWARDS FOR FRAGRANCE — one of the most decorated fragrance varieties of all time: Bagatelle Fragrance Cup (Paris) 1982, Geneva Gold Medal 1982 + Golden Rose + City Prize + Fragrance Cup 1982, Saverne Silver Medal 1982, Le Roeulx Gold Medal. PEONY-SHAPED CUPPED FORM with ~80 wavy lace petals — unique among modern HTs; it resembles a peony bloom. One of the most fragrant varieties of the modern era — a classic rose with anise. The legacy of Marie-Louise Meilland: the legendary French breeder (the same one behind Bonica WFRS HoF, Scarlet Meidiland and Swany). 3 synonyms in different countries: Queen Adelaide (Australia), Pink Vesuvia, The Royal Brompton Rose. Not inducted into the WFRS Hall of Fame: this is a common myth in secondary catalogues. Checked on worldrose.org/hall-of-fame — the list of 31 varieties does not include Yves Piaget. An ironic fact: Yves Piaget is himself a WFRS patron, which gives him the authority to influence the Hall of Fame, yet no variety bearing his name is in it.