CENTENNIAL STAR™ – yellow-pink hybrid tea rose – Meilland
Bring a touch of coastal glamour to your family garden with CENTENNIAL STAR™, a Romantica® hybrid tea whose golden-yellow and pink blooms glow even in breezy, seaside light. Its strong, sweetly spicy fragrance creates that “tea on the veranda after collecting shells” feeling, while tidy, bushy growth suits small beds and compact shingle spaces. As an own-root rose it offers dependable longevity, quietly rebuilding itself after harsh seasons for a stable display year after year. In containers of at least 40–50 litres it develops a reliable root anchor and copes well with brisk coastal air and well-managed drainage, provided you give it occasional watering and simple care. Expect roots to establish in the first year, stronger shoots in the second, and its full ornamental presence by the third.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Coastal veranda container (40–60 L) |
A generous pot allows deep rooting and steady moisture, helping the plant handle exposed positions while staying compact and upright beside seating. Occasional feeding keeps blooms coming for long summer teas by the sea – perfect for the relaxed coastal gardener at-home |
| Small front garden feature rose |
The bushy, clump-forming habit and medium height fit neatly into typical UK front gardens, providing a sunny welcome without overshadowing windows or paths; one well-placed plant gives a smart, “grown-up” focal point – ideal for image-conscious homeowners outside |
| Shingle or gravel bed accent |
Planted into improved soil pockets within shingle, its moderate water needs and tidy form work well where you want structure with minimal fuss; the warm yellow-pink tones sit naturally with beach pebbles and sea-worn textures – suited to design-minded gardeners coastal |
| Informal “girly” seating corner |
The large, cupped, romantic blooms and strong perfume turn a simple bistro set into a quietly glamorous retreat, especially combined with cushions and pastel planting; a single bush nearby perfumes the whole nook – perfect for those who value moments of calm unwind |
| Mixed border with sea kale and grasses |
Its clear flower shape and dark, glossy foliage contrast beautifully with sea kale, Festuca and other textural foliage, giving a soft seaside meadow feel without needing complex pruning; steady summer repeats keep the border lively – good for low-effort stylists mixing |
| Family garden rose bed |
Medium maintenance needs and repeat flowering make it a practical choice where time is limited but children and guests still expect colour; simple annual pruning and occasional disease checks are usually enough for a dependable show – helpful for busy households sharing |
| Cut-flower corner by the patio |
The long-stemmed, exhibition-bred blooms are excellent for vases, so one or two bushes by the back door supply scented stems without a dedicated cutting garden; regular picking even encourages fresh flushes – ideal for home florists and gift-givers indoors |
| Long-term “investment” specimen rose |
As an own-root plant it rebuilds from its base if winter or wind ever bite, maintaining ornamental value over many seasons, especially when planted once and left to mature steadily – reassuring for those planning a stable, long-lived garden structure future |
Styling ideas
- Seaside-veranda duo – Grow CENTENNIAL STAR™ in a 50–60 L container with blue-grey Festuca and a low sedum skirt to echo shingle colours – for balcony and veranda owners wanting instant coastal charm
- Romantic shell corner – Underplant in a gravel pocket with pale pink annuals and a scatter of seashells or cobbles to pick up its peach-pink tones – for those curating a soft, “girly” outdoor sitting area
- Golden-windbreak trio – Plant three bushes in a loose triangle near a fence to create a scented, visual windbreak that still feels light and airy – for families needing a sheltered nook without heavy hedging
- Cut-flower strip – Line a narrow bed by the path with CENTENNIAL STAR™ and Santolina for easy-to-reach, fragrant stems framed by silver foliage – for home florists who like quick, low-effort picking
- Shingle showpiece – Position a single bush in an island of enriched soil within shingle, ringed by sea kale and grey santolina, to create a luminous focal point – for design-led gardeners who prefer one strong statement plant
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea Romantica® rose, registered as MEInerau, marketed as Centennial Star™ Romantica®; ARS exhibition name ‘Centennial Star’, collection Romantica®, yellow-pink large-flowered garden and cut rose. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alain A. Meilland, Meilland International SA, France, 1996; parentage (‘Sunblest’ × ‘KORresia’) × ‘MEInarval’; registered 1997 with US Plant Patent PP10 668; introduced after 1997 via Star® Roses. |
| Awards and recognition |
Portland Rose Society Gold Award, recognising the quality of its blooms and garden performance under show conditions, with strong colour, fragrance and form valued by exhibitors and keen amateurs alike. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Medium bushy, clump-forming habit, about 90–130 cm tall and 70–95 cm wide; dense dark green glossy foliage, moderate prickling, suitable for beds, edging, containers and specimen use in family gardens. |
| Flower morphology |
Hybrid tea-type, large double blooms with 26–39 petals, cup-shaped on mostly solitary stems; remontant with a particularly abundant second flush, suitable for cutting and repeat ornamental display. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Yellow-pink bicolour; golden-yellow base with pink edges (RHS 14B outer, 12B inner); buds deep golden-yellow; tones fade to pale yellow and peach-pink, giving a changing, warm sunset effect over time. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, long-lasting fragrance with a sweetly spicy character that is noticeable on warm still days and in sheltered corners; effective both in the garden and indoors when used as a cut flower. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasional ellipsoidal hips, around 8–12 mm, orange-red when ripe; mainly of ornamental interest in late season, as the variety is typically maintained for its repeat flowering and scented blooms. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about -21 to -18 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 3, USDA 6b); medium resistance to black spot, mildew and rust, benefiting from good air movement, regular checks and basic preventative care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in fertile, well-drained soil; plant 50–55 cm apart in beds, 90 cm for specimens; partial shade tolerated; medium maintenance with occasional pest and disease control and regular deadheading for repeats. |
CENTENNIAL STAR™ offers romantic, fragrant blooms, compact structure and long-lived own-root reliability; a thoughtful choice if you want lasting coastal-style colour without demanding maintenance.
