VELASQUEZ® – deep pink hybrid tea rose – Meilland
If You dream of a rose that simply settles in and performs, VELASQUEZ® is a reliable hybrid tea that rewards You with luxurious, long-stemmed flowers without demanding expert care. Bred by Meilland and supplied as a pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL own-root plant, it develops into an upright, elegant bush with dense, dark green foliage that looks tidy in beds, borders and front gardens. The XL, high-centred blooms open from velvety buds into very full, deep-pink flowers with a lilac sheen and a strong fragrance that lingers around paths, patios and seating areas. Its recognised garden quality is backed by multiple international awards, while its disease resistant foliage makes life easier in our damp Irish climate, even where rainfall and heavy soil challenge many roses. As an own-root plant it builds a stable, long-lived framework, regenerating well after pruning and settling into Your routine; roots establish in year one, bush structure fills out in year two, and by year three You enjoy full, enduring impact.
Use cases
| Target area | Reason |
|---|
| Front garden focal point near the entrance |
The XL, high-centred deep-pink blooms on long, upright stems give a formal yet welcoming look by the front door, staying neat thanks to dense foliage and a structured habit; perfect if You want visitors to be greeted by colour |
| Cutting bed for home bouquets |
Originally bred as a cut-flower type, VELASQUEZ® produces exhibition-style, solitary blooms that last well in the vase and carry a very strong scent, so just a few stems can perfume a room for days, ideal for those who love indoors |
| Low-maintenance rose border in a family garden |
With good disease resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust, this variety keeps its dark green leaves even in a wet Irish summer, reducing spraying and fuss to a minimum, suiting gardeners who prefer easy, reliable care |
| Long-term specimen rose in lawn or gravel |
As an own-root, hardy hybrid tea, it builds a durable framework that can be rejuvenated if ever cut back hard, making it a sound choice where You want a showpiece rose to stay for years, reassuring anyone planning for long-term value |
| Remontant rose bed for season-long colour |
VELASQUEZ® flowers in generous flushes and then repeats strongly, with an abundant second flowering, so beds and borders do not look bare between peaks, ideal for gardeners who like steady, rolling display |
| Sunny patio in a large decorative container |
Its upright, compact spread suits a quality container of at least 40–50 litres, where regular watering and feeding will reward You with richly scented flowers around seating areas, appealing to those who garden mostly in pots |
| Border planting in heavier Irish soils |
Once established with decent drainage, this robust own-root rose copes steadily where high rainfall and heavier clay conditions often challenge roses, making it particularly useful for typical Irish plots that still want lasting structure |
| Mixed cottage-style bed with perennials |
The classic hybrid tea form and deep pink colour pair beautifully with hydrangeas, echinacea and fine grasses, giving a romantic yet orderly cottage look that is easy to maintain year after year, ideal for relaxed, time-pressed homeowners |
Decorating ideas
- Elegant Entrance Pair – Plant two VELASQUEZ® roses flanking your front path or gate, underplanted with low lavender for scent and edging, creating a formal welcome – ideal for owners who like a classic, tidy approach.
- Romantic Cottage Strip – Combine VELASQUEZ® with hydrangea ‘Annabelle’, catmint and soft grasses along a sunny fence to blend structured roses with looser cottage plants – suited to those after an easy, storybook garden feel.
- Scented Patio Feature – Grow one plant in a 40–50 litre terracotta pot with trailing thyme and viola at the base, placing it beside outdoor seating so the strong fragrance is enjoyed on summer evenings – perfect for balcony and terrace users.
- Cutting-Garden Corner – Dedicate a sunny border strip to several VELASQUEZ® plants with rows of cosmos and dahlias behind, giving a steady supply of long-stemmed blooms for vases – great for people who love fresh flowers indoors.
- Calm Pink Border – Set VELASQUEZ® among echinacea, fine Stipa tenuissima and white flowering perennials to create a balanced, near-natural border that stays structured yet soft – ideal for busy gardeners seeking low-effort harmony.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose; registered as MEImirtylus, marketed as Velasquez® PERFUMELLA® MEImirtylus. Belongs to the PERFUMELLA® collection; ARS exhibition name Velasquez, premium silver merit rating. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alain Meilland (Meilland International SA), France. Breeding year 2010, registered 2010 and introduced 2011 via Meilland Richardier. Named in honour of painter Diego Velázquez. |
| Awards and recognitions |
Highly decorated hybrid tea: Grande Rose du Siècle and Prestige de la Rose (Lyon, 2011), best large-flowered rose in Dublin and Hradec Králové, silver medal Tokyo, Audience Prize Avignon, carries the Label Rouge mark. |
| Growth and structure |
Medium-tall, upright bush 100–140 cm high, 50–70 cm wide. Dense, slightly glossy dark green foliage, moderately thorny shoots. Forms a well-balanced, vertical structure suitable for beds, borders and specimen plantings. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, high-centred blooms with 40+ petals, classic exhibition hybrid tea form on mostly solitary stems. Extra-large flower size (from about 3.5 inches), ideal for cutting and strong visual focus in the garden. |
| Colour and phenology |
Velvety, vivid deep pink with a subtle lilac sheen; bud dark crimson-pink, opening to cherry-pink with slightly purplish outer tips. Colour lightens to mid-pink with a lilac edge as it ages, maintaining attractive tones while fading. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, long-lasting scent that carries well around the plant and into the house when cut. Exact fragrance notes are not documented, but intensity and persistence are rated as high among scented hybrid tea roses. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Hip set is usually low due to the very double flowers. When present, hips are ovoid, 12–18 mm in diameter, orange-red in colour, appearing only occasionally and not a dominant ornamental feature. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Good disease resistance; rated resistant to powdery mildew, black spot and rust. Winter hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C (USDA 6b, RHS H7, Swedish zone 3) with moderate heat tolerance; requires watering during prolonged drought. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers a sunny position and well-drained soil; space 60 cm for mass plantings or 90 cm as a specimen. Suitable for borders, cut-flower beds, specimen use and large containers; maintenance needs are generally low for a hybrid tea. |
VELASQUEZ® offers award-winning deep-pink flowers, strong fragrance and reliable disease resistance on a durable own-root framework, making it a beautiful long-term choice for Irish gardens if You would like a rose You can simply plant and enjoy.
