CARTE D'OR® – yellow bedding Floribunda rose - Meilland
Imagine stepping onto your coastal veranda after a blustery walk, the air still tasting of sea spray, and being greeted by a low, steady drift of sunny blooms: CARTE D'OR® settles comfortably into British family gardens, coping reliably with blustery days and salt-laced breezes. This compact, bushy Floribunda keeps its rich canary-yellow flowers glowing from early summer well into autumn, offering months of colour without demanding intricate pruning or expert care. Own-root plants build up quietly underground before pushing stronger shoots and, by the third season, a full display of stable structure and long-lived vitality. Its dense, glossy foliage and moderate height make it easy to tuck into small beds or generous containers on sheltered patios, where its softly sweet fragrance and luminous tones feel like a warm, refreshing pause between the garden and the sea. Thoughtful watering and good drainage help it remain well-anchored and composed in exposed, weather-prone corners, giving you dependable ease year after year.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Coastal family flower bed near a seating area |
Its compact, bushy habit (around 60–85 cm) and dense, glossy foliage form a low visual windbreak around seating, while the bright yellow clusters stay clear and unfaded in strong sun. Ideal where you want structure and colour but simple upkeep for coastal veranda owners. |
| Small front garden bed along a path |
The modest spread (40–60 cm) and regular repeat flowering make it perfect for edging a narrow path or drive without overwhelming the space. Own-root growth means it recovers well if knocked in passing, maintaining a neat, long-lived line for busy homeowners. |
| Large coastal containers (40–50 litre and above) |
In a generous pot with good drainage, its bushy form and reliable flowering give months of colour on verandas or sunny steps, even where soil is poor or stony. Containers keep roots protected and stable in exposed, breezy situations for urban balcony gardeners. |
| Mixed “girly” border with grasses and perennials |
The warm canary-yellow flowers pair gracefully with silver-blue Festuca, sea kale or soft lavenders, adding a bright, feminine accent without harshness. Its medium maintenance needs suit relaxed borders that are not tended daily by hobby gardeners. |
| Low seasonal hedge or boundary line |
Planted at 25–30 cm spacings, it knits into a continuous, waist-high flowering ribbon that defines spaces without creating a solid wall. The bushy habit and moderate prickliness give just enough deterrent at the edge of play lawns for family garden planners. |
| Partially shaded patio corner |
Suitable for partial shade, it continues to flower well where sun is limited to a few good hours, such as beside a fence or veranda post. This flexibility helps brighten awkward corners that might otherwise remain bare for beginner gardeners. |
| Cutting patch for informal indoor posies |
The large, double, cluster-flowered stems provide plenty of medium-sized blooms for small jugs and vases, while own-root vigour supports regular cutting without weakening the plant, suiting relaxed, low-fuss arranging by creative home decorators. |
| Exposed, rain- and wind-prone beds in heavy soil |
With moderate disease resistance and solid hardiness down to about -20 °C, it copes well in typical British winters, provided drainage is improved to avoid waterlogging so roots stay firmly anchored in stormy weather. This reassures cautious, time-poor new gardeners. |
Styling ideas
- Coastal-Romantic Border – weave CARTE D'OR® through sea kale, Festuca and soft pink asters for a breezy, shingle-garden feel with long, low-maintenance colour – ideal for coastal-style lovers.
- Sunny Pathway Edge – repeat-plant along a front path, letting the compact, bushy plants form a bright yellow edging ribbon that stays neat without constant clipping – perfect for busy family households.
- Veranda Showcase Pot – one rose in a 50-litre tub, underplanted with trailing thyme, creates a glowing focal point that thrives in wind-sheltered, salty air – suited to small veranda and balcony spaces.
- Soft-Yellow Cutting Nook – group several plants with white daisies and airy grasses to provide easy stems for jugs indoors while keeping the border looking full – appealing to casual home florists.
- Play-Friendly Hedgelet – plant as a low, loose hedge edging a lawn, giving definition and long-season bloom without towering over children’s play areas – helpful for practical family gardeners.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bed rose; registered as MEIdresia, marketed as CARTE D'OR® bedding rose. Belongs to the bedding rose collection and accepted for exhibition as an exhibition floribunda. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alain Meilland, Meilland International, France, with parentage not published. Introduced and registered in 2001, selected for reliable bedding performance and strong yellow colour. |
| Awards and recognition |
Certificate at The Hague rose trials in 2005 and Gold Medal at Courtrai/Kortrijk in 2007, confirming its ornamental bedding value and stable garden performance in European climates. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Compact, bushy shrub about 60–85 cm high and 40–60 cm wide, with dense, dark green glossy foliage and moderate prickles. Forms a rounded outline suitable for edging, bedding and low hedging. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, cup-shaped blooms with 26–39 petals carried in clusters. Remontant habit with a notably abundant second flush, providing repeated flowering through the main garden season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Powerful, sun-yellow flowers, ARS Y, RHS 9B outer, 9A inner petals. Colour is stable with excellent retention, barely fading even under strong sun, and remains a clear, bright yellow at full bloom. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very light, delicately sweet scent that is often barely noticeable in the garden. Primary appeal lies in colour and bedding effect rather than fragrance intensity or long-distance scent. |
| Hip characteristics |
Sparse hip production; occasional small spherical hips 5–8 mm across, orange-red RHS 40A. Decorative effect is minor, so plants are grown mainly for their continuous flowering display. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Moderate resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust; requires routine monitoring. Hardy to about -21 to -18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b), handling typical UK winters with standard care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in well-drained soil with regular watering during heat, suitable for partial shade. Plant 25–50 cm apart in beds or hedges, or in containers of at least 40–50 litres for stable, long-term growth. |
CARTE D'OR® bedding rose MEIdresia offers compact, long-season yellow colour in small spaces, with adaptable planting options and the quiet resilience of an own-root rose; a thoughtful choice if you value lasting beauty with limited upkeep.
