CARINA® – pink hybrid tea rose – Meilland
CARINA® is an elegant, mid‑pink hybrid tea rose that gives You classic, high‑centred blooms with a strong, traditional rose scent and an upright, tidy habit that suits small Irish family gardens beautifully. Bred by Meilland and grown on its own roots in a 2‑litre pot, it settles in steadily and is easy to manage even if You are still a beginner. Once planted in decent drainage, it copes well with our cool summers and frequent rain, even where the soil tends to stay heavy after wet weather, while its reliable disease resistance keeps leaf problems to a minimum. The long, straight stems and large, very double flowers are ideal for cutting, so You can enjoy florist‑style roses indoors without fuss. Although it blooms in one main summer flush, that flowering is generous, full of colour and fragrance, and the shrub’s tidy shape and dark foliage remain attractive afterwards. As an own‑root plant, CARINA® develops a strong framework that can regenerate calmly after pruning and gives You long‑term garden value with less upkeep. Think of its development as a gentle arc: in year one it quietly builds roots, in year two You see stronger shoots, and by year three it shows its full ornamental value as a stable, long‑lived feature by the front door or along a sunny path.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden focal point near the entrance |
The upright, compact shrub and perfectly shaped hybrid tea blooms create a formal, welcoming accent by your front door or gate, giving clear structure without overwhelming a smaller Irish front garden – ideal if You like a tidy, elegant look as a homeowner |
| Short row or low hedge along a path |
Planted at 50–60 cm intervals, CARINA® forms a neat, evenly spaced row; its straight stems, uniform pink colour and medium height give a classic, ordered edge to paths or drives while remaining easy to prune and keep in line for the busy gardener |
| Cutting patch for indoor flower arrangements |
The long, straight, florist‑style stems and high‑centred, very double blooms are made for vases; one strong summer flush gives plenty of stems for cutting so You can fill jugs and bouquets with fragrant roses at home as an enthusiastic arranger |
| Mixed bed with perennials in a family back garden |
Its dark green foliage, mid‑pink flowers and upright habit fit naturally among low perennials and grasses, adding height and classic rose charm without taking over the whole bed, which suits relaxed mixed plantings for the hobby gardener |
| Urban garden with partial shade periods |
CARINA® tolerates light or partial shade, so it can still perform where walls, fences or neighbouring houses cast shade part of the day, giving colour and scent in tight city plots where space and full sun hours are limited for the urban gardener |
| Coastal or exposed suburban sites |
With good disease resistance and reliable hardiness, this rose copes well where cool winds and frequent rain are common, provided the soil drains reasonably so roots are not waterlogged, which reassures the coastal and exposed‑site owner |
| Large container on balcony, terrace or paved area |
In a 40–50 litre container with quality compost and regular watering, CARINA® becomes a refined patio feature, giving You classic, scented blooms at nose height where border space is scarce, suiting balcony and terrace users who value easy access |
| Long‑term planting in a modest family garden |
As an own‑root rose with strong hardiness and ADR‑level health, it offers a durable framework that can regenerate well after pruning, giving long‑term structure and colour without needing complicated care, which is reassuring for time‑pressed beginners |
Decorating ideas
- Cottage Path Accent – Line a short path with CARINA® and soft blue Calamintha grandiflora ‘Elfin Purple’ to create a fragrant, romantic walkway – ideal for lovers of traditional cottage‑garden style.
- Formal Front Trio – Plant three CARINA® in a triangle near the entrance, underplant with low Artemisia for silvery contrast – perfect for homeowners wanting neat, structured front gardens.
- Cutting Corner – Dedicate a sunny corner to a small group of CARINA® with white Physostegia ‘Crystal Peak White’ to supply vases all summer – great for those who enjoy arranging their own flowers indoors.
- Patio Statement Pot – Place one CARINA® in a 40–50 litre terracotta container, surrounded by trailing thyme or lobelia for softness – suited to balcony and terrace users seeking a single elegant feature.
- Relaxed Mixed Border – Combine CARINA® with soft ornamental grasses and pale hydrangeas for a calm, modern border – appealing to busy families wanting gentle structure without complicated maintenance.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, florists rose; registered as MEIchim, trade name CARINA®. ARS exhibition name Carina. Part of the hybrid tea collection, used both as a garden and cut-flower variety. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alain Meilland, Meilland International, France. Parentage: ‘White Knight’ × (‘Happiness’ × ‘Independence’). Introduced 1963, with early distribution through Conard-Pyle (Star Roses) in the USA. |
| Awards and recognitions |
Genoa First Prize 1966 for garden performance and flower quality; ADR certification 1966 from the German General Rose Committee, highlighting health, robustness and reliable ornamental value in trials. |
| Growth and structure |
Upright, bushy habit, typically 80–110 cm high and 50–70 cm wide. Moderately dense, dark green foliage on moderately thorny stems. Presents a tidy, vertical outline suitable for beds, borders and small hedges. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very double, high-centred blooms with more than 40 petals, classic exhibition form and pointed buds. Flowers are typically solitary on long, straight stems, making them particularly suitable for cutting and show use. |
| Colour and phenology |
Clear, vivid mid-pink with excellent colour retention. Buds open deep pink, then remain a pure, bright mid-pink in full bloom, only lightening to a soft, powder pink in strong sun or just before fading. Main flowering flush in early summer. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, classic rose fragrance, noticeable from a short distance around the shrub. Full, traditional scent character typical of hybrid teas bred for both garden and cutting use, enhancing value for patios, entrances and indoor vases. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Rose hips are usually sparse due to the very double flowers. When present, they are small, spherical, 10–14 mm in diameter, and orange-red, providing occasional late-season interest without significant self-seeding. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Good overall disease resistance; generally resistant to powdery mildew, black spot and rust under normal garden conditions. Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (USDA 6b, RHS H7, Swedish zone 3), suitable for most Irish garden situations. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in sunny or lightly shaded beds, borders and urban green spaces. Allow 50–90 cm spacing depending on use. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil with regular watering in dry spells. Ideal as a low-maintenance, own-root, 2-litre garden rose. |
CARINA® offers classic pink, strongly scented blooms, an upright, space-saving habit and dependable disease resistance on a long-lived own-root framework, making it a reassuring choice if You would like a reliable, elegant rose to enjoy.
