SONG OF PARIS – lavender-lilac tea-hybrid rose – Delbard-Chabert
If You dream of a romantic yet reliable rose for an Irish family garden, SONG OF PARIS offers classic hybrid-tea elegance with modern ease. Its upright, tidy habit and medium height make it naturally orderly along paths or in front beds, while the large, high‑centred blooms bring true florist‑style beauty straight into Your own borders. The mallowy, fruity fragrance adds gentle romance without overwhelming small spaces, and the lavender‑purple petals with a silvery sheen create soft colour accents that suit both urban front gardens and rural cottage planting. Bred for strong disease resistance, it stays healthy even in our damp, fungus‑prone weather, so You can enjoy flowers instead of spraying regimes. As an own‑root plant, it settles in for a long lifespan, regenerating from its own base and building strength year after year. Planted in free‑draining soil that copes well with Ireland’s heavier rainfall, it establishes steadily – roots in the first year, stronger shoots in the second, and full, showy performance by the third.
Use cases
| Target area | Reason |
|---|
| Front garden feature by the entrance |
The upright, medium‑tall habit forms a neat, structured bush that frames a doorway without blocking light, giving a welcoming, elegant look with minimal shaping, perfect for a low‑maintenance but smart first impression for busy homeowners |
| Cutting bed for home flower arrangements |
Large, high‑centred blooms on strong, straight stems are ideal for vases, giving You florist‑style flowers to cut from just a few plants, so one small bed can supply the house with romantic, lavender‑purple roses for creative gardeners |
| Rose border in a family back garden |
Consistent remontant flowering provides waves of blooms through the season, so the border never looks bare, rewarding simple care with steady colour and scent that fits around family life and occasional deadheading for time‑pressed parents |
| Low‑effort, long‑term planting near patios |
As an own‑root rose, the bush rebuilds from its own base over time, helping it recover from knocks and pruning and remain decorative for many years, a thoughtful, once‑planted investment that matures gracefully for long‑view planners |
| Ornamental bed with lavender and rosemary |
The lavender‑purple flowers with a silvery tint blend beautifully with grey‑green Mediterranean foliage, creating a harmonious, subtly scented scheme that feels sophisticated yet relaxed, easy to keep tidy with light pruning for style‑conscious owners |
| Small group planting in a cottage‑style border |
Planted in groups of three to five, the colour and form repeat rhythmically, giving a soft, romantic look that echoes traditional cottage gardens while staying reasonably compact and manageable for romantic beginners |
| Coastal front garden with good drainage |
Strong disease resistance helps the foliage stay clean in breezy, humid sites, and with soil prepared to drain away surplus rainwater the plant maintains healthy growth and flowering despite frequent wet spells for Irish coastal gardeners |
| Large container on a sheltered balcony or terrace |
In a 40–50 litre pot with regular watering, its upright shape and repeat blooms create a vertical accent without sprawling, turning limited space into a small, fragrant retreat that is easy to access and care for for urban apartment dwellers |
Decorating ideas
- COTTAGE RIBBON – Plant a short row of SONG OF PARIS along a path, underplant with Campanula persicifolia and honesty for a soft, old‑fashioned look – ideal for lovers of relaxed cottage gardens
- ENTRANCE ELEGANCE – Flank your front door with two large pots of SONG OF PARIS and low Lonicera nitida ‘Maigrün’ for year‑round structure and seasonal colour – suited to busy homeowners wanting quick kerb appeal
- LAVENDER BORDER – Combine SONG OF PARIS with a drift of lavender and rosemary in a sunny strip for a restrained, scented edge that stays smart with little effort – perfect for compact urban front gardens
- PATIO POSY CORNER – Group one rose in a 40–50 litre container with smaller pots of herbs and annuals, creating a movable cutting and scent corner – great for beginners testing roses on a terrace
- TWILIGHT TONES – Mix SONG OF PARIS with white hydrangeas and silver‑leaved perennials to highlight its silvery lavender sheen in evening light – appealing to those who enjoy after‑work garden relaxation
Technical cultivar profile
| Property | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose. Registered cultivar name: Song of Paris. Trade name: SONG OF PARIS – lavender‑lilac tea-hybrid rose – Delbard‑Chabert. ARS exhibition name: Song of Paris. Group: Hybrid Tea. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by André Delbard‑Chabert, France, 1964. Parentage: (Holstein × Bayadère) × Prélude. Introduced after 1966 by Armstrong Nurseries (USA) and Delbard/Georges Delbard SA (France). Registration year 1966, US Plant Patent PP 2669. |
| Growth and structure |
Upright hybrid tea with moderately dense, matt mid‑green foliage and moderate prickliness. Typical height 100–140 cm, spread 65–95 cm. Forms a tidy, vertical bush suited to borders, paths and specimen planting. |
| Flower morphology |
Very full, double flowers with 40+ petals, large size (approx. 2.75–3.95 in) and a high‑centred, pointed, classic hybrid‑tea form. Flowers borne mainly in clusters; self‑cleaning is poor, so deadheading of spent blooms is recommended. |
| Colour and phenology |
Pure lavender‑purple with a silvery tint. Buds deep lavender purple, opening to light lavender with silvery edging. Colour fades gently to pastel tones with a silky sheen. Remontant, with an abundant second flush and repeat flowering in season. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Medium‑strength, well‑scented hybrid tea rose with a mallowy, fruity character. The perfume is noticeable at close range without being overpowering, making it suitable for seating areas, entrances and cutting for indoor enjoyment. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Rose‑hip formation expected to be limited because of the very double flowers. Where present, hips are ellipsoidal, about 10–14 mm in diameter, coloured orange‑red and mainly of ornamental rather than wildlife value. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Good disease resistance; assessed as resistant to powdery mildew, black spot and rust. Hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 3, USDA zone 6b). Requires regular watering, with only moderate heat and drought tolerance. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in a sunny position with free‑draining soil. Recommended spacing: 55 cm for mass planting, 50 cm for hedging, 90 cm as specimen; 3.2–3.7 plants/m² depending on layout. Suited to borders, cutting gardens and specimen uses with low maintenance needs. |
SONG OF PARIS gives you romantic lavender blooms, reliable repeat flowering and strong disease resistance on a long‑lived own‑root plant, making it a thoughtful choice if you want lasting beauty with straightforward care.
