GRAND MOGUL – cream-white tea-hybrid rose - Delbard-Chabert
If You dream of a classic, high-centred hybrid tea rose that looks at home in an Irish family front garden, Grand Mogul is a dependable choice. Its upright, well-balanced bush carries elegant, exhibition-style blooms in soft ivory and buttery cream-white, perfect for cutting and for admiring from the kitchen window. The medium, classic rose fragrance adds gentle evening charm without overwhelming small spaces, while the sturdy growth takes typical Irish rain and cool summers in its stride, even when the soil holds moisture and needs reliable drainage in a heavy spot. As an own-root plant it settles in steadily, building long-lived roots, then stronger shoots, and by the third year gives You its full ornamental display with less fuss. In a sunny bed, border or large container, this medium-maintenance rose fits a relaxed routine yet still feels reassuringly reliable for busy gardeners wanting elegant, long-lived flowers and healthy mid-green foliage on a well-shaped bush that remains quietly refined season after season.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden focal point by the path or doorway |
Grand Mogul forms an upright, well-proportioned bush that naturally holds its shape, giving You a tidy, formal accent without constant clipping – ideal where You want structure that behaves itself for the busy beginner |
| Sunny flower bed for repeat blooms through summer |
Remontant flowering with a generous second flush keeps cream-white blooms coming across the season, so one or a few plants can carry a small family bed without gaps, rewarding simple deadheading for the time-poor homeowner |
| Cutting patch near the house for vase flowers |
High-centred, pointed buds on strong stems are ideal for cutting, giving classic tea-rose form indoors; plant 3–5 together and You can regularly pick stems without leaving the garden looking bare for the home flower-lover |
| Small group planting in a mixed cottage-style border |
The soft ivory to buttery-yellow tones blend easily with perennials and cottage planting, so a tight group of 3 roses can weave into heucheras or lady’s mantle, adding gentle formality without clashing for the romantic gardener |
| Rural or suburban family garden with average care |
Moderate maintenance requirements suit gardeners happy to water in dry spells and do occasional pest checks, without needing specialist skills, while own-root vigour supports a long, stable garden presence for the casual hobbyist |
| Coastal or exposed site with heavier, wetter soil |
Once established, the robust bush copes well with cool, damp conditions typical of Irish weather, provided basic drainage is in place where the soil tends to stay heavy and moist after rain, reassuring the west-coast gardener |
| Feature specimen in a large patio container |
In a 40–50 litre or larger container, the upright habit and glossy foliage create a smart, vertical accent; with regular watering and feeding it will flower reliably on a terrace or balcony for the small-space owner |
| Long-term planting for a stable, enduring rose display |
As an own-root rose it regenerates well from the base, avoiding graft-related ageing issues, so the plant can mature gracefully over many seasons, maintaining its ornamental value with modest ongoing care for the long-term planner |
Decorating ideas
- COTTAGE TRIO – Plant three Grand Mogul in a triangle with Alchemilla mollis at their feet for frothy lime-green edging and cream blooms above – ideal for lovers of relaxed cottage borders
- PATHWAY ELEGANCE – Line a short front path with evenly spaced bushes and underplant with dwarf coral bells for year-round foliage contrast – perfect for neat, low-effort front gardens
- ROMANTIC BED – Combine Grand Mogul with soft pink roses and Gypsophila repens ‘Knuddel’ as a living “baby’s-breath” carpet – suited to those who enjoy pastel, romantic schemes
- PATIO CENTREPIECE – Grow one specimen in a 40–50 litre pot with trailing thyme around the rim for scent and ground cover – great for balcony or terrace gardeners
- QUIET CORNER – Place a pair of bushes near a bench, backed by hydrangeas, where the medium fragrance can be enjoyed on calm evenings – best for people seeking a restful sitting area
Technical cultivar profile
| Characteristic |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Grand Mogul is a hybrid tea rose distributed by Delbard; commercial type hybrid tea rose, ARS exhibition name Grand Mogul, part of the Hybrid tea rose group, suited to garden and exhibition use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by André Delbard-Chabert in France from ‘Sultane’ × ‘Chic Parisien’, introduced by Delbard / Georges Delbard SA in 1965, with registration and breeding year both recorded as 1965. |
| Growth and structure |
Medium-tall upright bush, around 100–140 cm high and 65–95 cm wide, with moderately dense, glossy, mid-green foliage and moderate prickliness; self-cleaning is weak so spent blooms benefit from removal. |
| Flower morphology |
Double, high-centred, pointed-budded blooms in classic cut-rose style, usually borne singly on stems; around 26–39 petals with medium flower size between roughly 4–7 cm, remontant with a generous second flush. |
| Colour and phenology |
Flowers open ivory to cream-white with a subtle buttery-yellow shimmer, warming toward the centre, then fade to almost snow-white with a slight greenish edge; colour retention is modest and tones soften as blooms age. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Displays a medium-strength, classic rose scent typical of hybrid teas, noticeable at close range without overpowering nearby seating areas; best appreciated from freshly opened blooms in sheltered, sunny positions. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Rose-hip formation is generally sparse due to the full double flowers, though occasional small, spherical, orange-red hips about 8–12 mm can appear late in the season, adding a discreet seasonal detail. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish Zone 3); shows resistance to powdery mildew and black spot, with moderate rust susceptibility, and benefits from watering support during prolonged drought. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with free-draining soil; medium maintenance with occasional pest and disease checks, regular deadheading and feeding. Recommended spacing 55 cm for beds, 50 cm for hedges, 90 cm as a specimen. |
Grand Mogul offers elegant cut-quality blooms, a tidy upright bush and dependable repeat flowering, while its own-root nature supports long-term vigour and recovery, making it a reassuring choice if You would like a reliable, classic rose.
