DONATELLA® – light pink hybrid tea rose - Richardier
Step off the pavement into a front garden of balance and calm with DONATELLA®, a light pink hybrid tea rose that feels at home in compact London terraces and neat suburban plots alike, even where wet weather and heavy clay demand careful drainage. Its generous, XL, very double blooms and romantic rosette form bring a softly girly look to railings, low hedges and mixed borders, while the strong, classic rose fragrance drifts down the path after summer rainfall. As an own‑root rose it settles in reliably, building a long‑lived, regenerating framework with minimal effort, so you can look forward to years of stable ornamental value. Upright, densely foliaged growth, glossy dark leaves and proven disease resistance support low‑input, environmentally minded gardening, and in a 40–50 litre container it offers long‑term patio elegance without dominating a small, rainwater‑friendly urban garden.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front‑garden focal point by the path |
The XL, very double rosette blooms and soft pastel pink colouring create an immediate sense of romance beside a narrow front path, giving you show-bench hybrid tea flowers at eye level with very little ongoing work – ideal for the busy homeowner. |
| Low, fragrant hedge along a boundary |
The upright habit, 90–130 cm height and dense, glossy foliage allow DONATELLA® to form a tidy, perfumed hedge on a 50–60 cm spacing, offering structure and scent without heavy clipping or complex pruning – reassuring for the beginner gardener. |
| Container rose for terrace or balcony |
Planted in a 40–50 litre peat‑free container with good drainage, its compact spread and repeat flowering give long seasonal colour in tight urban spaces, while own‑root resilience supports years of use without frequent replacement – perfect for the apartment dweller. |
| Feature plant in a rainwater‑managed front garden |
In small city plots using permeable surfaces and rainwater butts, DONATELLA® copes well with regular wetting if excess water can drain from heavy soils, complementing sustainable layouts with classic charm – well suited to the eco‑conscious owner. |
| Long‑season flowering border anchor |
Its strongly remontant performance with an abundant second flush means colour carries from early summer into autumn, while own‑root strength lets it build from modest first‑year growth into a full display by year three – attractive for the patient planner. |
| Cut‑flower row for home arrangements |
Bred as an exhibition hybrid tea, the long, straight stems and large, very double blooms in even light pink tones are ideal for vases, giving you reliable, scented cut flowers from your own garden – rewarding for the home flower‑lover. |
| Mixed planting with perennials and shrubs |
The balanced, mid‑sized habit and romantic colouring combine beautifully with lavender, nepeta or variegated dogwood, adding vertical interest without overwhelming neighbours and fitting into low‑maintenance, nature‑minded schemes – appealing to the design‑focused gardener. |
| Low‑intervention family garden rose |
High resistance to black spot, mildew and rust, plus moderate heat tolerance, means routine feeding and light pruning are usually enough to keep plants healthy, supporting relaxed gardening in busy households – ideal for the time‑pressed family. |
Styling ideas
- Terrace romance – Grow DONATELLA® in a 40–50 litre clay pot with peat‑free compost and underplant with trailing thyme for scented steps – suited to balcony and small‑terrace residents.
- Soft hedge – Plant a loose row along the front boundary, interspersed with lavender for contrast in colour and texture – good for homeowners wanting a gentle, elegant screen.
- Pastel border – Combine with nepeta, pale salvia and silver foliage plants for a cool, calming scheme – ideal for those seeking a restful, low‑maintenance family garden.
- Cottage strip – Line a narrow path with DONATELLA® and low-growing pinks to echo its rosy fragrance and colour – perfect for terraced‑house fronts with limited depth.
- Feature container – Place a single plant by the front door in a large, stable pot, adding spring bulbs at the base – attractive for visitors and practical for busy urban gardeners.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as MEIkerira, marketed as DONATELLA® Romantica®; ARS exhibition name Donatella; female given‑name reference within the Romantica® collection. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Michèle Meilland Richardier at Meilland International, France; breeding completed 2009, registered 2009, introduced 2011, with parentage undisclosed by the breeder. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated exhibition hybrid tea with Gold Medals at Baden‑Baden, The Hague and Rome, plus a dedicated Fragrance Award at Roeulx, confirming its ornamental and scent quality. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, medium‑vigorous shrub reaching 90–130 cm high and 55–85 cm wide, with dense, dark green glossy foliage and moderate prickles; forms a tidy, vertical accent in borders or hedges. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, rosette‑shaped blooms with over 40 petals on XL‑sized flowers, often borne in clusters; strongly remontant with an abundant second flush, but weak self‑cleaning spent blooms. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Light‑pink blooms, ARS code lp, RHS 65C–65D; buds mid‑pink, opening to uniform pastel pink that gradually softens to a pale, silvery‑rose tone before petals finally fade and drop. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, long‑lasting classic rose fragrance characteristic of exhibition hybrid teas; primarily ornamental with double flowers that largely obscure stamens and limit pollinator access. |
| Hip characteristics |
Only occasional hips form due to deadheading of double blooms; when present they are 10–14 mm, ovoid and orange‑red, adding small seasonal accents rather than a major display feature. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
RHS H7, hardy to around –21 to –18 °C; shows good resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust, with moderate heat tolerance if watered during extended dry periods. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to borders, hedges, specimens and large containers; plant 50–90 cm apart, 2.8–3.2 plants/m²; thrives in sun or partial shade with low maintenance under routine feeding and pruning. |
DONATELLA® offers XL pastel blooms, strong fragrance and low‑maintenance, disease‑resistant performance on a durable own‑root framework, making it a refined, long‑term choice for those ready to welcome a reliable romantic rose into their garden.
