Rosa Yann Arthus-Bertrand - Shrub Rose

The Yann Arthus-Bertrand shrub rose is capable of becoming a mountain of flowers exceeding 2m (7ft) high in a few years, if the conditions are right. All it needs is fertile soil and very minimal pruning. From late spring to the first frost, it delivers a multitude of changing wild roses, in warm tones of rose jasper, orange, apricot, and copper, with stamens that turn red when mature. Following this flowering spectacle, there are abundant hips that become dazzling in autumn, bringing joy to the gardener and the birds. There is something unique about this rosebush with a very "botanical" temperament, whose exceptional resistance to diseases has been recognised by the demanding German ADR label. This informal bush has the stature of a giant. In the garden, it will go well with other unpretentious plants.

Modern roses are often criticised for their stiffness and poor disease resistance, but the Yann Arthus-Bertrand variety, obtained in 2009 by Meilland, truly stands out. This unique rose, classified as a shrub rose, forms a small bushy, upright shrub with fleible branches. If regularly pruned, it will reach a height of about 90cm (35in) and almost the same width, but if left to grow freely or only lightly pruned, it can reach up to 2.5m (8ft) high and 1.5m (5ft) wide. From June until the first frost, beautiful single flowers with open and wavy, 5-6cm (2in) wide cups, bloom on glossy dark green foliage. They appear multicoloured and their colour can vary depending on the climate and nature of the soil, appearing more pink in some gardens and more orange in others. Abundant hips are produced that turn from tender green to bright red when ripe. They persist on the bare branches in winter, until eaten by birds.

Yann Arthus-Bertrand is a strong and hardy plant, easy to grow in all regions, and drought-tolerant once well established. Its vigour and ease of maintenance mean it will thrive in an informal hedge. It can also be used in a large border or shrub bed, with regular pruning. In a hedge, the warm and vibrant colours of its flowers will enhance the foliage of dogwoods, spireas, and viburnums. It pairs perfectly with yellow-flowered roses (Persian Yellow, Rosa hugonis, Canary Bird), orange-flowered roses (Fighting Temeraire, Amber Sun, Mrs Oakley Fisher), or white roses (Nevada, Kew Gardens).

About the ADR label: Created in 1950, this German label, an acronym for 'Allgemeine Deutsche Rosenneuheitenprüfung', is awarded every year to exceptional roses. They are judged under different growing conditions and on various criteria, including the beauty of the plant, its habit, the abundance of its flowering, its hardiness, and its disease resistance without preventive or curative treatment. Since the creation of this label, more than 1700 roses have been tested and examined, but only 183 have obtained the label.