Rosa Lavender Dream - Shrub Rose

The Lavender Dream rose grafted on a tall stem possesses extraordinary charm. The original variety, with a very free habit, forms a slightly trailing crown that is very attractive. In summer, it transforms into a mass of pink-mauve flowers that exude a unique, fresh, and light fragrance. This rose, holder of the ADR label, is also renowned for its robustness and natural resistance to diseases. It deserves a prominent place in the garden or in a large pot on the patio.

Standard roses are obtained by grafting a variety (here Lavender Dream) onto a single and upright stem belonging to a different rose (Rosa laxa or R. multiflora),  with the graft being made at a certain height, here at about 1m (3 feet) from the ground. In very cold regions, it may be useful to protect the rootstock in winter.

The Lavender Dream rose belongs to the floribunda rose group, which produces flowers grouped in clusters. It is a hybrid of Rosa rugosa obtained through the hybridisation of the Yesterday and Nastarana roses, which has received numerous awards in Europe. Grafted onto a stem, this rose has a semi-weeping habit. The young stems, bronze-purple and irregularly covered with prickles, quickly turn green. The foliage, not very dense, is composed of leaves divided into strongly toothed leaflets, with a shiny dark green colour. The flowering is abundant in June, and again in August-September. The roses, almost single, with a diameter of 4 cm (2in), are composed of 8 to 15 lilac-pink petals washed with mauve with a lighter centre, revealing a yellow heart. They are gathered in clusters of 15 to 30 units. This flowering exudes a light and unusual fragrance reminiscent of lily of the valley.

The 'Lavender Dream' standard rose can be planted prominently, in the centre of a flower bed, among perennials or low shrubs, in a row along a pathway, near a patio, or even in a large pot on a balcony. It can also be planted in groups of 3 plants, arranged in a triangle, or as a solitary plant on a lawn. Its habit, as well as the shape and colour of its roses, will bring a touch of the countryside to your garden. Don't hesitate to combine it with perennials or even with other bush or shrub roses. To accompany it, consider creeping ceanothus, catmints, foxgloves, and lavenders, for example. The Golden Wings rose would also be a good partner. The combination of their two colours will bring an interesting freshness to the mix.

Obtained by G. Peter Ilsink in 1984.