BOTTICELLI ® – pink bedding floribunda rose - Richardier
Imagine returning from the seaside, sand still on your shoes, to a sheltered veranda where clusters of porcelain-pink blooms bring instant refreshment. Botticelli® is a compact, bushy floribunda bred for reliable flowering in real-world coastal and family gardens, quietly coping with breeze and showers while its dense foliage helps it stay well anchored in typical British soils. In a 2‑litre own‑root form it settles in quickly, building a discreet network of durable roots that support long-term health and gradual regeneration after any weather knockback. Ideal for containers from 40–50 litres and small beds, it offers simplicity in planting and care, with medium maintenance needs that suit time-pressed gardeners. Over just a few seasons you will see the natural rhythm of year‑one establishment, year‑two shoot and branching build-up, and year‑three maturity with full ornamental impact, giving your coastal-inspired space a calm, wind-kissed glow.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Small coastal-style flower bed near a seating area |
Compact, 60–80 cm bushes form a low, airy screen of porcelain-pink clusters that cope well with breezy, showery UK conditions, adding shelter and colour without dominating the space – perfect for the coastal veranda–loving homeowner |
| Container on a sunny or lightly sheltered veranda |
The bushy shape and steady repeat flowering suit a 40–50 litre pot, where own-root resilience supports long-term growth and easy renewal if stems are cut back, keeping your outdoor seating area tidy and romantic – ideal for the busy veranda-owner |
| Low, informal hedge along a path or drive |
Regular spacing at 35–40 cm creates a neat, low hedge with dense foliage and clustered blooms; own-root plants live and perform for many years with modest care, suiting family gardens needing soft boundaries – reassuring for the practical gardener |
| Mixed border with sea-inspired perennials |
Botticelli®’s pastel pink sits beautifully with silvery grasses and coastal-style planting, while its repeat flowering from summer onwards ensures continuing colour among perennials, extending the season without complex pruning – attractive to design-aware beginners |
| Edging for a patio or terrace |
The moderate height and bushy habit frame hard landscaping without blocking views; medium self-cleaning means only light deadheading is needed to keep it smart, so the patio remains inviting with minimal fuss – suited to the relaxed city-dweller |
| Partial-shade corner in a family garden |
Tolerance of partial shade allows planting where sun is limited, such as beside fences or between buildings, still giving a good display of soft pink clusters and healthy foliage when many roses would disappoint – encouraging for shade-challenged owners |
| Low-maintenance family border with children and pets |
Medium maintenance and robust own-root structure mean it copes with occasional knocks, regenerating from the base over time, while modest height keeps thorns manageable, offering colour without demanding constant attention – reassuring for busy parents |
| Structured bedding or mass planting in front gardens |
Uniform, bushy growth and regular repeat blooms create a tidy, well-kept look even in exposed front gardens, helping the planting withstand wind and rain while remaining ornamental through the season – a strong choice for image-conscious homeowners |
Styling ideas
- Veranda-border drift – Plant a curved row in front of a south- or west-facing veranda, mixed with low Festuca and sea kale for a breezy, seaside feel – tailored to coastal-style lovers
- Romantic container duo – Place two 45–60 litre pots flanking French doors, underplanted with trailing thyme to soften edges and highlight Botticelli®’s porcelain-pink clusters – ideal for balcony and patio owners
- Soft front-garden hedge – Line a path with closely spaced plants, interspersed with Lavandula for fragrance and structure, creating a welcoming, low hedge that stays neat with light trimming – suited to family homes
- Pastel mixed border – Combine with Digitalis and pale grasses for height and movement behind Botticelli®’s bushy base, giving layered interest that flowers over a long season – appealing to hobby gardeners
- Shingle-coastal vignette – Set in a gravel or shingle bed with sea kale and low sedums, echoing Cornish and Devon shores while keeping maintenance simple and water use efficient – perfect for time-poor beginners
Technical cultivar profile
| Characteristic |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bedding rose, registered as MEIsylpho, marketed as Botticelli® bedding rose MEIsylpho; ARS exhibition name Botticelli; exhibition floribunda in the bedding rose collection. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Michèle Meilland Richardier at Meilland International, France; breeding completed 2003, registered 2003, introduced 2005; parentage not disclosed by the breeder. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated bedding rose: multiple medals in 2003–2004, including Gold Medals at The Hague and Bagatelle, Golden Rose of Geneva, and first prizes for bedding and landscape use at Monza. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Compact, bushy shrub 60–80 cm tall and 50–70 cm wide, with dense, slightly glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickles; medium self-cleaning spent blooms, benefitting from occasional deadheading. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, cupped, cluster-flowered blooms with more than 40 petals; extra-large flowers around 9 cm across; reliably remontant with particularly abundant second flush under normal garden care. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Uniform porcelain pink, ARS LP; RHS 65C outer, 65D inner; buds silky pink, opening soft pure pink, then lightening to powder-pink with a pale inner glow as blooms age, with very good colour retention. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Fragrance is very weak and barely perceptible, offering only a subtle, delicate note; primarily valued as an ornamental bedding and landscape rose rather than for scented garden use. |
| Hip characteristics |
Very double blooms reduce fruit set; hips are sparse, orange-red, spherical, around 6–10 mm diameter, adding minor late-season detail without notably affecting overall flowering performance. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7; USDA 6b; Swedish zone 3); good heat tolerance with watering in drought; resistant to powdery mildew, with medium susceptibility to black spot and rust. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to beds, edging, containers, patios, balconies and low hedges; plant 35–40 cm apart, 5.7–6.5 plants/m²; medium maintenance, with plant protection useful in extremely humid conditions. |
BOTTICELLI ® – pink bedding floribunda rose - Richardier offers compact, reliable flowering, versatile use in beds or 40–50 litre containers, and the long-lived stability of an own-root plant; a thoughtful option for low-fuss, soft coastal-style planting.
