METROPOLITAN ® – white hybrid tea rose – Meilland
Bring a touch of smart city chic to your coastal veranda with METROPOLITAN®, a refined white hybrid tea that feels at home even where gardens are shaped by wind and sea air, provided you offer drainage that copes gracefully with prolonged wet spells. This upright, evenly branching rose forms a compact structure that suits smaller UK family gardens, while the own‑root form promises dependable longevity, steady regrowth after harder pruning and reassuring stability after stormy seasons. In return for simple, regular care and timely deadheading, it rewards you with large, exhibition‑style blooms in a luminous snow‑white palette, each high‑centred flower ideal for bringing indoors as a cut accent. The medium, fruity fragrance drifts beautifully across a sheltered seating nook, especially when paired with grasses, sea kale or lavender in a 40–50 litre container, and its remontant nature means you can look forward to repeated flushes from late spring well into autumn.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Feature rose for small coastal veranda |
Its upright, relatively narrow habit fits balconies and verandas where space is tight but you still want a “showpiece” rose. Planted in a 40–50 litre pot with free‑draining compost, it anchors well and copes reliably with blustery, rain‑laden coastal weather – ideal for beginners. |
| Cut-flower corner near the house |
Large, high‑centred blooms on strong stems are perfect for cutting, so one or two plants by the back door will keep you in vases of snow‑white roses for most of the season. Repeat flowering ensures you can gather several stems at a time without stripping the plant – ideal for homeowners. |
| Formal front garden focal point |
The clear white flowers and neat, upright structure suit a more formal look at the front of a property, where consistency matters. Own‑root plants age gracefully, rebuilding from the base after harder pruning to keep the outline tidy for many years – ideal for busy. |
| Sunny terrace container with coastal-style companions |
In a large container, METROPOLITAN® combines well with blue Festuca, sea kale or compact lavender for a relaxed, shingle‑garden feel. Good branching gives a dense canopy over the pot, while its long season ensures interest from late spring onwards – ideal for veranda-owners. |
| Small family lawn edge or path-side accent |
One plant set beside a path or lawn edge provides a steady stream of elegant blooms where everyone passes daily. Repeating flushes mean there is usually at least one flower at its best, offering a gentle, everyday luxury without needing complex pruning – ideal for families. |
| White-and-silver themed border |
The pure white petals with a subtle ivory tone blend seamlessly into planting schemes of silver foliage and cool blues. Because the colour fades only slightly, the flowers stay visually crisp, helping you maintain a calm, cohesive scheme through much of the summer – ideal for stylists. |
| Perfumed seating nook in a sheltered spot |
Placed close to a bench or terrace table, its medium, fruity fragrance is easily appreciated on still days. The bloom form holds the scent well, and regular cutting for the house conveniently keeps the plant tidy around your seating area – ideal for fragrance-lovers. |
| Show-rose for hobby exhibitors |
With its high‑centred, pointed buds and strong stems, METROPOLITAN® is suitable for hobby showing and practice cutting for local shows, its remontant habit giving multiple opportunities to select prime buds through the season – ideal for enthusiasts. |
Styling ideas
- Coastal Veranda Calm – Grow METROPOLITAN® in a large, pale ceramic pot with sea kale and blue Festuca for a relaxed shingle‑beach look – perfect for coastal‑style veranda owners who want gentle structure and long flowering.
- White Tea Corner – Place one plant by a bistro set in a sunny nook, underplant with low thyme to soften the base – suited to beginners seeking an easy, fragrant companion for afternoon tea outdoors.
- City-By-The-Sea Border – Combine with lavender and silvery foliage in a narrow bed along a path – ideal for busy homeowners wanting a neat, upright rose that reads as smart and contemporary.
- Cut-Flower Row – Line two or three plants in a slim bed near the back door for quick access to cutting stems – designed for hobby florists who value reliable, elegant white blooms through the season.
- Moonlight Patio Duo – Pair METROPOLITAN® in matching containers flanking patio steps, where white blooms catch the evening light – for urban gardeners wanting simple, symmetrical structure without complex upkeep.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose; registered as MEIfaissel, marketed as METROPOLITAN ® – white hybrid tea rose – Meilland; ARS exhibition name METROPOLITAN; premium gold quality, authenticity verified 28 June 2025. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alain A. Meilland, Meilland International SA, France; parentage ‘White Knight’ × (‘Karen Blixen’ × ‘Lady Sylvia’); registered 2004 and introduced after 2004 as a hybrid tea for garden and cutting use. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly regarded exhibition‑type hybrid tea; Gold Medal, Fragrance Award and Journalists’ Prize at Rome rose trials 2003, highlighting its floral quality and scent value for discerning collectors and keen amateurs. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, well‑branched bush 100–140 cm tall and 55–85 cm wide, dense dark green slightly glossy foliage, moderately thorny stems; poor self‑cleaning so spent blooms usually benefit from prompt deadheading for best display. |
| Flower morphology |
Extra‑large, solitary blooms on strong stems, high‑centred, pointed‑bud form typical of exhibition hybrid teas; double with about 26–39 petals, remontant with abundant second flush, suitable for cutting and specimen display. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Snow‑white petals with subtle ivory centre, creamy white buds with faint green tips; RHS 155C outer, 155D inner; colour remains predominantly white, only slightly creamy towards ageing, with a gentle silky sheen at full bloom. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Pleasantly sweet, fruity scent of medium strength, noticeable at close range and around seating areas in still weather; suitable for cut stems where perfume is desired without being overpowering in smaller indoor spaces. |
| Hip characteristics |
Sets small hips in moderate quantities; spherical to inconspicuous fruits generally 0–5 mm in diameter, limited ornamental impact and typically removed during deadheading to encourage continued flowering. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Classified as H7, hardy to about −21 to −18 °C and USDA zone 6b; very sensitive to powdery mildew and black spot, moderate rust issues, so regular preventative care is recommended, especially in damp, mild regions. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with good air circulation and well‑drained soil; spacing 40–75 cm depending on use; ideal as specimen, hedge or cut‑flower rose; requires consistent feeding, watering and plant protection for peak performance. |
METROPOLITAN ® offers elegant, fragrant white blooms on a compact hybrid tea ideal for containers or small borders, with own-root resilience supporting long-term garden value; a considered choice if you enjoy cutting roses and structured planting.
