Rosa x polyantha Louis Blériot

The Louis Blériot Rose is an exceptional landscape bush rose known for its vigour, floribundity, and disease resistance. This bold bush forms a large cushion where hundreds of small semi-double flowers, lightly scented, in light pompoms of two charming shades of mauve lavender and fresh pink, succeed each other for weeks. Forming a slightly hazy mass, this rose will make a big impact in beds, borders, or as ground cover without requiring much care.

The flowers of Rosa x polyantha Louis Bleriot 'Meibivers', gathered in terminal clusters, come from the polyantha rose, an old hybrid derived from Rosa multiflora and Rosa chinensis. This exceptional variety has won several awards in international competitions, including the SNHF Grand Prize for roses, the Buenos Aires Gold Medal, the 1st prize in Barcelona, as well as the prestigious German ADR label, which is a guarantee of excellent natural resistance to rose diseases. It is a vigorous small shrub that has a bushy and spreading habit, wider than it is tall, partially inclined. It will reach a height of about 80 cm (32in) with a spread of 90 cm (35in) to 1 m (3ft) in a few years, sometimes more depending on the growing conditions. The 6 cm (2in) diameter flowers are composed of 20 petals, have an open cup shape, and open to reveal a yellow heart filled with stamens. They bloom in clusters of 5 to 10 units, carried by reddish peduncles, continuously from June to October, as long as there is no frost. In case of dry summer, the flowering will stop and resume only when the rains return. This very vigorous variety, resistant to diseases, develops fine foliage, fairly light green, slightly glossy. Deciduous, it falls in autumn and reappears in spring. Its stems bear thorns.

Obtained by Meilland, 2008.

The Louis Blériot rose adapts to all soils that are not too dry and all climates, which allows it to be welcomed without reservation in many regions. It has slightly trailing branches that work wonders in rock gardens or on slopes where it will cover the ground. It can also be planted in groups of 3 plants, arranged in a triangle, as a focal point on a lawn in a small garden. When planted en masse, it can border pathways and highlight shrub beds. It integrates perfectly into beds of light or opulent perennials. It can also be incorporated into a small flowering hedge composed of Japanese quinces, botanical roses, and Deutzia, for example. Perennial geraniums, bellflowers, catmints, as well as perennial salvias make excellent companions for landscape roses and ground covers. If left to grow freely, this fantastic 'Louis Blériot' rose will form a flowery dome, delightfully romantic in front of a bed of flowering shrubs such as abelias, Kolkwitzia, mock oranges, Japanese cherry trees, or lilacs.