BOTERO® GPT. – deep red climbing rose – Meilland
If You would like a dramatic, romantic rose that simply gets on with the job in an Irish family garden, Botero® Gpt. is a superb choice. This large-flowered climber covers arches, walls and fences with sumptuous, velvety crimson blooms and an indulgent, long-lasting damask fragrance. Even in our damp, changeable weather it keeps its foliage healthy, coping reliably with a humid climate where fungal diseases are often a worry. The plants are naturally upright and well-furnished with dark green leaves, forming a tidy, easy-to-manage flowering screen rather than a tangle. On its own roots it settles in for a long lifespan, regenerating from the base and staying attractive year after year with modest maintenance. During year one it concentrates on roots, in year two on strong new shoots, and by year three it reveals its full impact as a richly flowering feature beside Your home.
Use cases
| Target area | Reason |
|---|
| Front-garden arch or porch entrance |
Very strongly scented, velvety red rosette blooms create an immediate sense of occasion as You approach the house, ideal for turning a modest front garden into a welcoming, romantic entrance for beginners |
| Clothed fence between neighbouring gardens |
Upright, well-branched growth with dense foliage forms an elegant flowering screen that softens boundaries without taking over the border, suiting compact family plots and privacy-conscious homeowners |
| Rose pillar or obelisk near a seating area |
The tall 200–300 cm height and sparsely thorned canes make it easy to guide up a pillar, while the rich perfume drifts around patios and decks, bringing classic rose character to relaxation spots for urbanites |
| South- or west-facing cottage-garden wall |
Reliable repeat flowering with a generous second flush keeps colour coming through summer, pairing beautifully with cottage companions while staying manageable for time-pressed families |
| Partially shaded side of the house |
Tolerant of partial shade, it continues to bloom and hold its colour in spots that do not receive sun all day, helping You turn awkward side paths into worthwhile planting areas for beginners |
| Cut-flower corner in a mixed border |
Extra-large, very double blooms on good stems provide luxurious, fragrant cut flowers, so a single plant can supply vases indoors while still decorating the garden, pleasing practical-minded gardeners |
| Long-term feature in a small family garden |
Own-root growth gives a durable framework that can regenerate from the base and age gracefully, offering stable ornamental value without frequent replanting, ideal for forward-planning owners |
| Coastal or windswept front garden boundary |
Healthy foliage and strong disease resistance combine with the ability to cope with moist, breezy conditions typical of Atlantic-influenced gardens, giving dependable cover even in exposed plots for coastal residents |
Decorating ideas
- COTTAGE FRONT ARCH – Train Botero® over a simple metal arch, underplant with lavender and nepeta to echo the rich red blooms and perfume the path – ideal for romantic cottage-style enthusiasts
- RUBY PATIO CORNER – Grow it against a sunny house wall beside a small seating area, mixing with pots of rosemary and white hydrangeas for contrast – perfect for busy urban homeowners
- FAMILY PRIVACY SCREEN – Let it clothe a wire or timber fence, interplanted with coreopsis for golden highlights among the dark foliage – suited to families wanting beauty and gentle enclosure
- EVENING SCENT WALK – Position along a garden path near a gate or side door so its strong fragrance greets You on late returns – great for commuters who enjoy the garden after work
- CLASSIC ROSE BORDER – Combine this climber at the back with shorter perennials like catmint and geraniums in front for layered colour and texture – appealing to beginners building a first rose border
Technical cultivar profile
| Property | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Climbing rose from the Botero® line; large-flowered climber. Registered cultivar name MEIafonesar, trade name Botero® Gpt. Exhibited under the approved name Botero® in show schedules. |
| Origin and breeding |
Sport of the hybrid tea ‘Botero’, bred by Alain Meilland for Meilland International in France. Selected in 1999 and introduced in 2003, maintaining the famous fragrance in climbing form. |
| Awards and recognitions |
Honoured for exceptional scent: Baden-Baden Fragrance Prize and Geneva Perfume Cup in 1999, Madrid Pere Dot Fragrance Award in 1999, Saverne Fragrance Award in 1999, Nantes Grand Prix International du Parfum and Fragrance Award in 2001. |
| Growth and structure |
Upright, medium-vigorous climbing habit reaching about 200–300 cm in height with a 70–130 cm spread. Well-furnished with matte dark green foliage, sparsely thorned canes and a balanced, easy-to-train structure. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, rosette-shaped blooms with more than 40 petals and extra-large flower size. Predominantly solitary flowers on the stems, remontant with a generous, reliable second flush given normal garden care. |
| Colour and phenology |
Deep, velvety red with crimson tones; buds nearly black-red. Fresh blooms show ruby-red highlights, then deepen to burgundy with darker edges before petal drop. Colour holds and intensifies rather than fading in strong light. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, long-lasting fragrance with classic damask character enriched by fruity notes. Suited to planting near paths, doors or seating where scent can be appreciated, and excellent for perfumed indoor cut flowers. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Hip set is generally low because of the very double flowers. When present, hips are ellipsoidal, 12–18 mm in diameter and bright red, adding modest late-season interest without heavy seeding. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Robust health with documented resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust. Hardy to approximately −23 to −21 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6a, Swedish zone 3), tolerating heat but needing watering in prolonged dry spells. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Ideal on arches, pergolas, walls and fences; also for high-end cut flowers. Space 150 cm for mass planting, 140 cm for hedging or 250 cm as a specimen. For containers, use at least a 40–50 litre pot with good drainage. |
Botero® Gpt. offers richly scented deep-red blooms, reliable repeat flowering and long-lived own-root strength, giving You an enduring, low-maintenance climbing feature worth choosing with confidence.
