FLUSHING MEADOW – cream-pink hybrid tea rose – Dorieux
Imagine sitting behind a gentle rose windbreak, sipping tea while the sea breeze dries the last seashells you collected with the family – this is the coastal elegance FLUSHING MEADOW brings to an everyday garden. Its compact, upright habit slips easily into modest UK plots, where reliable, repeat flowering and a calm cream‑and‑scarlet colour play provide structure from early summer onwards. Planted in a large 40–50 litre container or a snug front‑garden bed with sensible drainage and room to root, this own‑root rose establishes gradually – roots in the first year, fuller shoots in the second, and its full ornamental presence by the third. Medium maintenance and sturdy, mid‑green foliage make it a reassuring choice for breezier sites, offering a stable, long‑lived feature that copes steadily with rain and wind along the coast. Its hybrid‑tea, cupped blooms are ideal if you like to cut a few stems for the table without stripping the garden bare, giving you a subtly scented bouquet indoors while the shrub continues to perform outside for years.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Coastal veranda in a large container |
Best suited to a sunny, sheltered veranda or terrace, this hybrid tea stays compact enough for a 40–50 litre pot while still giving tall, elegant stems. Provide free‑draining compost so the root system anchors well for breezier coastal conditions, ideal for the busy beginner gardener. |
| Front garden statement rose |
The upright habit and 70–95 cm height slot neatly beside a path or low wall, giving a composed focal point without overwhelming a small plot. Dense, mid‑green foliage frames the flowers, creating a welcoming entrance for those who like smart but manageable kerb appeal homeowners. |
| Cutting patch for home bouquets |
Solitary, long‑stemmed blooms with over 40 petals are designed for vases, so you can cut several at a time and still have buds to follow. The mild, sweet scent suits indoor spaces, perfect for anyone wanting simple, garden‑to‑table floristry enthusiasts. |
| Small flower bed in family garden |
Plant at about 65 cm spacing in a sunny border for a structured, repeat‑flowering feature that families can enjoy from the kitchen window. Own‑root resilience means the shrub recovers well if accidentally knocked or pruned a little hard by helpers families. |
| Low, informal hedge line |
At 55 cm spacing the upright bushes form a loose, elegant boundary, softening hard edges along drives or paths. Medium care needs mean just basic feeding, watering and some deadheading keep the hedge presentable for time‑pressed property owners. |
| Water‑conscious, clay‑based planting |
Medium heat tolerance means it appreciates regular watering in long dry spells, yet its robust constitution suits water‑conscious designs when combined with sensible mulching. In heavier UK soils, improved drainage supports steady growth for practical, low‑worry garden planners. |
| Coastal shingle or salt‑tolerant scheme |
In mild, windy regions, site it where buildings or fencing break the strongest gusts, pairing with sea‑inspired grasses for an easy, seaside feel; its steady habit suits gardens that need to stand up gently but reliably to blustery, salt‑tinged weather for coastal style lovers. |
| Mixed border with long seasonal interest |
Remontant flowering delivers a generous second flush, especially when deadheaded, giving colour well beyond the first summer peak. Occasional orange‑red hips add autumn detail, making this a good backbone choice for relaxed but refined planting schemes for hobby gardeners. |
Styling ideas
- Shingle‑chic – Set in gravel with sea kale and blue Festuca to echo a Cornish beach palette – for coastal veranda owners who favour relaxed minimalism.
- Tea‑corner – Flank a small bistro set with two pots of FLUSHING MEADOW for cut‑flower luxury within arm’s reach – for busy homeowners who want reward with little effort.
- Pastel‑border – Combine with Lavandula and Calamintha ‘Elfin Purple’ for a soft, humming, cottage edge – for beginners seeking an easy, romantic look.
- Front‑gate – Line the path with a short run of evenly spaced plants to frame the entrance – for families wanting instant smartness in limited space.
- Modern‑hedge – Stitch into a low hedge with Japanese spirea for alternating cream‑pink and deep pink blocks – for design‑conscious gardeners who like structured colour.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid Tea rose, registered as DORnapa, marketed as FLUSHING MEADOW Hybrid tea rose DORnapa; ARS exhibition name FLUSHING MEADOW, cream‑pink exhibition‑type hybrid tea. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by François Dorieux II at Dorieux Pépinières, Montagny, Loire, France; parentage unknown; introduced and registered in 1988, initially distributed by Pépinières Jacques Briant. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, compact bush reaching around 70–95 cm high and 55–80 cm wide, with dense, mid‑green, slightly glossy foliage and moderate prickliness; weak self‑cleaning spent blooms. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very double, cupped hybrid tea flowers borne mainly singly on stems; over 40 petals per bloom, remontant with a plentiful second flush when regularly deadheaded in summer. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Cream inner petals edged scarlet‑red; buds deep red to cream; tones fade to pink and buttery yellow, reducing contrast; ARS code RB, RHS 45A outer, 11D inner; classified cream‑pink. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Soft, sweetish fragrance of mild strength, noticeable at close range but not overpowering; primarily appreciated as an ornamental cut flower rose rather than for strong scent impact. |
| Hip characteristics |
Produces small numbers of spherical orange‑red hips, around 12–18 mm in diameter, adding modest autumn interest if flowers are not deadheaded late in the season. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to around −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 3, USDA 6b); medium overall disease resistance, with good resistance to powdery mildew and black spot, rust medium. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers a sunny position and fertile, well‑drained soil; suitable for beds, edging, front gardens and cutting; medium maintenance, needing feeding, watering and occasional pest and disease control. |
FLUSHING MEADOW offers elegant cuttable blooms, compact structure and reliable repeat flowering in a durable own‑root form, making it a thoughtful choice if you would like a quietly impressive coastal‑ready rose.
