LIONS CHARITY – salmon-pink nostalgic rose - Vissers
Imagine returning to your London terrace on a damp evening, brushing past salmon-pink blooms that release a strong, sweet, fruity scent while the foliage shrugs off typical British showers and humidity with reassuring ease. LIONS CHARITY builds into a compact, bushy hedge or generous front-garden feature, its very double, cup-shaped flowers opening in repeat flushes for a long, nostalgic display from early summer well into autumn. In its first year the own-root plant concentrates on roots, the second brings more substantial shoots, and by the third season it settles into a stable, long-lived ornamental rhythm. Medium maintenance needs and reliable winter hardiness suit busy homeowners who want lasting structure and colour more than constant tasks, while the 2-litre own-root format gives you a practical, resilient start for a sustainable, rain-watered city garden.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front garden focal shrub |
The compact 65–95 cm height and bushy habit make LIONS CHARITY ideal beside a front gate or bay window, where the warm salmon-pink tones and classic cup-shaped blooms create a welcoming focal point with minimal pruning for busy urban gardeners |
| Low hedge along paths |
Planted 40–50 cm apart, its dense mid-green foliage and moderately thorny stems form a neat, low hedge that subtly guides visitors while discouraging unwanted shortcutting, giving year-round structure and seasonal flowers for family garden owners |
| Romantic flower bed groups |
Grouped at around 4–5 plants per m², the very double, 40+ petal blooms repeat flushes, filling a small border with nostalgic colour and strong fragrance, yet only requiring occasional disease checks that suit hobby rose enthusiasts |
| Feature rose in large containers |
In a 40–50 litre peat-free container with good drainage, its moderate spread and bushy outline provide a long-flowering, fragrant accent on city patios or balconies, needing just regular watering and light feeding for space-conscious city dwellers |
| Partially shaded town gardens |
This variety tolerates partial shade, so it copes well with the dappled light and reflected heat between terraced houses, maintaining flower production and foliage quality where many roses would sulk, supporting shade-challenged homeowners |
| Weather-resilient coastal beds |
Medium disease resistance, robust foliage and tolerance of cool, damp spells suit exposed or breezier sites, offering reliable flowering where frequent rain and wind test other roses, especially in gardens facing unsettled Atlantic weather for coastal-region gardeners |
| Cut flowers for the home |
The large, cup-shaped, salmon-pink blooms with a soft creamy heart and strong, sweet fragrance make excellent short-stemmed cuts; harvesting regularly encourages further flowering and brings classic rose character indoors for home decor lovers |
| Long-term, low-input plantings |
As an own-root shrub with H7 hardiness, LIONS CHARITY establishes steadily, comes back reliably after harsh winters, and regenerates well from pruning or weather damage, building long-term structure with moderate effort for time-pressed beginners |
Styling ideas
- TerraceWelcome – Line a short front path with a loose hedge of LIONS CHARITY underplanted with soft grasses, creating a scented, welcoming route – ideal for sociable family homeowners
- RomanticCluster – Plant in a drift of three to five shrubs with Carpathian bellflower and horned viola at the front for a pastel, cottage-garden effect – suited to nostalgic style-seekers
- BalconyStatement – Grow one plant in a 40–50 litre pot with trailing violas, pairing salmon-pink blooms with tumbling colour – perfect for small-balcony urban gardeners
- SoftScreen – Use as a low, flowering screen between drive and front garden, backed by dwarf fountain grass for movement and texture – attractive for privacy-conscious households
- EveningPerfume – Place near a bench or doorstep with lavender or nepeta, so the strong fragrance greets you on damp evenings – appealing to relaxation-focused garden users
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Shrub rose from the Romantic rose collection; registered as VISmelgo, marketed as LIONS CHARITY – salmon-pink nostalgic rose, approved exhibition name LIONS CHARITY for show purposes. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Martin Vissers in Belgium from ‘Melglory’ × ‘Golden Celebration’; registration year 2019, commercial introduction 2020 through Viva International BVBA for European garden use. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, compact shrub reaching about 65–95 cm in height and 60–85 cm spread, with dense, matt, mid-green foliage and moderate prickles, forming a tidy, well-rounded plant outline in beds or hedges. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, cup-shaped blooms with more than 40 petals, large-flowered clusters on branching stems, remontant habit with an abundant second flush that extends ornamental value across the main season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Warm salmon-pink with a delicate cream base; buds open intense salmon before fading to pastel salmon-cream, maintaining recognisable colour from opening through full bloom and gradual softening at petal edges. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, well-pronounced rose fragrance with a distinctly sweet, fruity character, particularly noticeable in still, humid air and around path edges or seating areas where repeated passes release the scent. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasional small, spherical orange-red hips about 8–12 mm in diameter may develop, but overall hip set is slight, so ornamental interest is focused primarily on the flowers rather than autumn fruit. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated to around −21 to −18 °C, RHS H7, USDA 6b; medium resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust, benefits from standard rose care practices, good air circulation and balanced nutrition. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suitable for beds, groups, low hedges, solitary specimens, parks and cutting; plant 40–75 cm apart depending on use, medium maintenance with periodic health checks and consistent watering in dry spells. |
LIONS CHARITY offers compact, fragrant, nostalgically double blooms on a hardy, long-lived own-root shrub that settles in steadily for reliable colour and gentle structure; a considered choice if you prefer lasting ease over constant upkeep.
