CIMAROSA – pink nostalgia rose – Lens
This romantic nostalgia rose combines elegance and reliability in a compact shrub that fits perfectly into Irish family gardens, even where soils are heavy and drainage can be a concern. Cimarosa forms a neat, rounded bush with glossy bronze-green foliage and clusters of large, very double rosette blooms in soft, salmon-pink tones – a classic cottage look without complicated care. As an own-root plant in the pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre pot, it is already well established, giving You a reassuringly easy start and a rose that regenerates from its own roots for long lifespan and stable shape over the years. With moderate maintenance needs and medium disease resistance, it suits busy gardeners who want to enjoy flowers rather than constant spraying. The strongly scented, slightly sweet perfume brings a romantic feel to your front garden, while its remontant habit ensures repeat displays of blossom from early summer onwards. In its first year it concentrates on roots, the second on stronger shoots, and by the third season it reveals its full ornamental value with generous, nostalgic blooms.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden feature rose |
Compact, 60–85 cm growth makes Cimarosa ideal near paths, driveways and low windows, giving structure and romance without overwhelming smaller Irish front gardens; its nostalgic rosette blooms create an instant “welcome home” feeling for the returning homeowner |
| Low edging or border line |
The neat, shrub-like habit and 40–55 cm spread allow planting in a gentle, low edging line along lawns or paths, where remontant flowering provides regular colour without the need for complex pruning, suiting the time-poor beginner |
| Small groups in ornamental beds |
Planted in groups of 3–5, Cimarosa quickly forms a rounded, harmonious display; own-root growth gives a long-lived, balanced planting that gradually settles into the bed and rewards the patient gardener |
| Cottage-style mixed planting |
The soft, peach-pink tones and rosette flowers blend beautifully with perennials and cottage favourites, creating a romantic, slightly old-fashioned effect that appeals to the rural cottage-garden enthusiast |
| Cut flowers from a small garden |
Long-stemmed clusters of large, double blooms with strong fragrance provide nostalgic bouquets even from a modest bed, making it easy to bring garden scent indoors for the busy urban resident |
| Coastal or exposed suburban plots |
Robust shrub structure and H7 hardiness help it cope in open, windier gardens where many roses struggle, making it suitable for those gardening in breezier coastal suburbs and wanting dependable colour |
| Low-maintenance family planting |
Medium maintenance needs and self-cleaning flowers mean only occasional deadheading and basic care, so You can enjoy colour and scent without constant work, ideal for a practical family-garden owner |
| Large patio pot or container rose |
Performs well in a generous 40–50 litre container with good drainage, making it suitable for paved front gardens and balconies where a single, fragrant, nostalgic rose can be a focal point for the space-conscious city-dweller |
Decorating ideas
- Cottage Border Charm – Combine Cimarosa with Verbena hastata ‘Pink Spires’ and low grasses for a soft, waving edge to a front lawn – ideal for lovers of relaxed country-garden style
- Romantic Entrance Pair – Plant two Cimarosa in large matching containers on either side of your front door for symmetry and scent – perfect for homeowners who want a smart but welcoming entrance
- Pastel Bed Harmony – Group 3–5 plants with pale hydrangeas and soft blue catmint to create a gentle, pastel bed that flowers over a long season – suited to busy families wanting calm colour
- Small-Space Scent Corner – In a 40–50 litre pot with lavender and rosemary at the base, Cimarosa becomes a compact perfume corner on patios or balconies – great for urban gardeners with limited ground
- Classic Cutting Patch – Dedicate a short border strip to Cimarosa, interplanted with annuals like cosmos for a steady supply of scented stems – attractive to hobby gardeners who enjoy arranging flowers indoors
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Trade name Cimarosa – Romantic rose – LENlifra; registered cultivar name LENlifra; ARS exhibition name Cimarosa; belongs to the Romantica shrub and Romantic rose groups. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Louis Lens in Belgium from ‘Little Angel’ × ‘Fragrant Delight’; breeding completed in 1986 and introduced and registered in 1989 by Lens Roses / Louis Lens N.V. |
| Growth and structure |
Compact shrub 60–85 cm tall and 40–55 cm wide, moderately thorny, with moderately dense, glossy foliage showing a bronze-green hue; suitable for beds, edging and smaller garden spaces. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very double, rosette-shaped blooms with over 40 petals; cluster-flowering inflorescences; remontant with a generous second flush, giving good ornamental value through the main season. |
| Colour and phenology |
Pale orange-pink to salmon-pink with peach undertones; buds peach-pink, opening to creamy salmon-pink with brighter centres; colour lightens in strong sun and deepens slightly in cooler conditions. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, long-lasting scent with a slightly sweet character; flowers are primarily ornamental but also suitable for cut use where their fragrance can be enjoyed indoors in vases or simple arrangements. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Produces moderately abundant, small, spherical red hips around 6–10 mm in diameter, adding modest late-season interest if spent flowers are not removed after the main flowering period. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C (H7, USDA 6b); disease resistance medium for mildew, black spot and rust; appreciates regular watering in prolonged drought and benefits from basic preventive care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with well-drained soil; medium maintenance with some deadheading and occasional plant protection; spacing 25–50 cm depending on use; 10–12 plants/m² recommended for mass planting. |
Cimarosa offers compact, romantic blooms, strong fragrance and reliable repeat flowering on a long-lived own-root shrub, making it an easy, enduring choice for your garden if You would like a rose that quietly performs.
