CYCLAMEN PIERRE DE RONSARD ® – deep pink climbing rose – Margaret Mae
Create a romantic focal point with this ROMANTICA® climbing rose that covers arches, walls and pergolas in waves of full, deep pink blooms. The large, cup-shaped flowers appear in generous clusters from early summer, repeating well into autumn, while the glossy dark foliage remains an attractive backdrop even between flushes. Its moderate care needs suit busy gardeners who still want a long-lived feature rose, and the own-root, 2-litre plant arrives well rooted so it can gradually adapt to typical Irish gardens with heavy soil and a humid climate. Over time the bush forms a naturally balanced framework of strong canes, giving lasting structure and reliable flowering. In year one it focuses on roots, in year two it builds shoots, and by year three it reveals its full ornamental value in both summer colour and winter outline. Ideal if You prefer to plant it once, let it climb, and simply enjoy the unfolding display.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front-garden arch or arbour near the entrance |
The large, very double, deep pink blooms create an immediate sense of welcome as they repeat through the season, while the glossy foliage frames the pathway and gives the entrance lasting structure for visitors and passers-by who like a romantic look for beginners. |
| Wall or fence in an average-sized family garden |
Its 2.4–3.6 m height and dense foliage allow it to clothe bare boundaries with a soft, flower-covered screen, giving privacy without feeling heavy, and the own-root plant gradually settles into the soil and care routine for homeowners who appreciate low-fuss, long-term planting for starters. |
| Rose pillar or obelisk as a vertical accent |
Trained around a sturdy support, the flexible canes can be tied in to form a vertical column of colour, ideal for adding height in smaller borders where ground space is limited but You still want abundant clusters of romantic, cupped blooms for novices. |
| Large container on a sunny patio or balcony |
In a minimum 40–50 litre container with good drainage, this climber can be grown as a statement plant, where regular watering and feeding are easy to manage and the long flowering period gives reliable colour close to seating areas for time-pressed urban gardeners who want impact with confidence. |
| Mixed cottage-style border with perennials |
The deep pink flowers blend beautifully with airy companions such as coreopsis or baby’s-breath, and the moderate growth habit allows it to weave through other plants without overwhelming them, perfect for those seeking a soft, traditional cottage feel for enthusiasts. |
| Pergola walkway in exposed or coastal gardens |
Once established, the sturdy framework and dense canopy help it cope with breezy sites, and it responds well where drainage is improved for wetter Irish conditions, offering dependable flowering even where Atlantic winds and frequent rain are part of life for coast-dwellers. |
| Feature specimen rose near a terrace or seating area |
Planted with generous spacing, it develops an elegant, balanced structure that can be trained to show off the fullest blooms at eye level, turning everyday seating spots into a special corner without demanding complex pruning for families. |
| Cut-flower corner for home arrangements |
The extra-large, very double blooms with good colour retention make impressive, long-lasting cut flowers, so a few well-placed canes can supply bouquets across the season, suiting home gardeners who enjoy bringing garden flowers indoors for hosts. |
Decorating ideas
- Storybook Arch – Train Margaret Mae over a metal or wooden arch and underplant with lavender or catmint to frame your front path in soft colour – ideal for romantic-style gardeners.
- Cottage Pergola – Let the climber drape over a timber pergola, mixing with clematis and airy baby’s-breath for a layered, country-cottage effect – suited to rural homeowners.
- Patio Showcase – Grow it in a 40–50 litre terracotta pot with trailing thyme and low geraniums at the base to create a compact yet luxurious focal point – perfect for balcony and terrace users.
- Colour-Wash Fence – Space plants along a sunny fence and combine with thread-leaved coreopsis for a yellow-and-pink tapestry that brightens small gardens – great for busy families.
- Romantic Corner – Place a bench beneath a simple rose pillar covered in blooms, softening the area with calamint and ornamental grasses – best for those seeking a quiet retreat.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Climbing rose from the ROMANTICA collection. Registered cultivar name Margaret Mae; trade name Cyclamen Pierre de Ronsard ROMANTICA Margaret Mae. ARS exhibition name Margaret Mae, large-flowered climber group. |
| Origin and breeding |
Spontaneous colour mutation (sport) of ‘Pierre de Ronsard’ (= ‘MEIviolin’, ‘Eden Rose’). Bred by Reg Tomerlin in the United States before 2010, with introduction by Meilland International in 2017. |
| Growth and structure |
Climbing habit with 2.4–3.6 m height and 1.8–3.2 m spread. Forms strong, trainable canes and dense, glossy dark green foliage. Moderately thorny shoots, suited to arches, pergolas, walls and free-standing supports. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, cup-shaped, cluster-flowered blooms with more than 40 petals. Extra-large flower size from about 3.5 inches, borne in trusses. Remontant, with a generous second flush and further blooming in suitable conditions. |
| Colour and phenology |
Rich, deep pink flowers with a slight silvery hue on outer petals. Buds open dark cyclamen-pink, then slowly fade to a mid-pink with silvery-pink edging. Colour holds well, providing a long ornamental period on the plant. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Fragrance recorded as very weak to barely perceptible; primarily grown for visual impact rather than scent. Best suited where colour and flower form are more important than strong perfume in the garden. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Occasional spherical rose hips, about 12–18 mm in diameter, orange-red (RHS 40A). May offer modest ornamental interest late in the season, though not usually produced in large numbers. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to approximately –21 to –18 °C (RHS H7, USDA zone 6b, Swedish zone 3). Disease resistance moderate; some susceptibility to powdery mildew and black spot, rust more likely. Requires regular watering, dislikes prolonged drought. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Recommended spacings: 2.4 m for mass planting, 2.3 m for hedging, 3.6 m as specimen. Planting density around 0.2 plants/m². Needs occasional deadheading and tying-in; works in large containers and structures. |
CYCLAMEN PIERRE DE RONSARD ® – Margaret Mae offers abundant deep pink blooms, adaptable climbing growth and long-lived own-root reliability, making it a reassuring choice if You want a romantic climber without complicated care.
