MONA LISA® – scarlet bedding floribunda rose
Picture late-afternoon saltwind on a Cornish veranda: you settle with tea, sheltered behind low roses whose scarlet rosettes glow against shingle and sea. MONA LISA® is a compact floribunda bred for reliable coastal beds and containers, forming a neat, bushy habit with dense mid-green leaves that anchor it well in breezy gardens and help manage challenging moisture and drainage. Clusters of large, very double flowers appear repeatedly from early summer to autumn, giving a long season of saturated colour with minimal fuss. As an own-root plant in our pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre pot, it establishes steadily – roots in the first year, stronger shoots in the second, then full ornamental value by the third – for a quietly enduring presence in small family spaces and seaside-inspired verandas.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front-of-border in small family gardens |
The compact, bushy habit and 55–80 cm height make MONA LISA® ideal for the front of mixed borders where children and pets pass by, keeping colour close without overwhelming narrow beds; its dense structure suits average UK plots and gives reassuring, tidy impact for beginners. |
| Coastal shingle or gravel beds |
Its robust bedding floribunda character and dense foliage help it cope with exposed, breezy positions near the sea, where wind and salt-laden air are common, provided the roots enjoy reasonable drainage in improved soil; this dependable red anchor works well for coastal-owners. |
| Feature rose in 40–50 litre terrace containers |
Planted in a large 40–50 litre pot with good compost, MONA LISA® forms a rounded, floriferous shrub whose repeat-flowering rosettes brighten verandas and patios; own-root resilience supports long-term container culture with simple seasonal care for busy-residents. |
| Low, formal edging along paths or seating areas |
Recommended close planting distances allow you to create a low, scarlet edging that frames paths, front gardens or seating nooks; the uniform habit and repeat clusters of flowers bring structure and colour that remain easy to trim and maintain for order-lovers. |
| Mixed perennial beds with coastal-style companions |
The vivid scarlet flowers stand out against silvery or blue foliage, working especially well with plants like Festuca, yarrow or blue verbena for a beach-inspired palette; repeat flowering weaves colour through perennials, simplifying design choices for stylish-gardeners. |
| Season-long colour focal point near the house |
Abundant first and second flushes, followed by further clusters, give a long flowering window around doors, bay windows or verandas, so even small spaces feel lively for months; this sustained visual reward suits time-poor homeowners seeking impact for family-gardens. |
| Low-maintenance specimen in part-sun corners |
Suitability for partial shade means it can brighten those half-sunny, sheltered corners that stay usable on windy days; moderate care needs and own-root robustness mean less worry about replanting or graft failures, easing decisions for casual-gardeners. |
| Long-term, own-root planting for stable borders |
As an own-root rose, MONA LISA® can regenerate from its base if cut back hard or weather-damaged, maintaining its original characteristics and balanced habit over many years – a reassuring, quietly economical choice for long-view-owners. |
Styling ideas
- Harbour-Front Border – Combine MONA LISA® with sea kale, blue Festuca and dwarf yarrow in a stony strip along a drive or path for a soft, coastal feel – ideal for owners of compact seaside front gardens.
- Veranda Tea Corner – Plant one rose in a 50 litre terracotta pot beside a bistro set, underplanted with low marigolds, to enjoy scarlet blooms at eye level on breezy afternoons – perfect for balcony and veranda relaxers.
- Red-Rimmed Pathway – Use close spacing along both sides of a main garden path for a low scarlet edging that frames daily walks to the shed or washing line – suited to families wanting simple structure.
- Sunset Perennial Mix – Weave MONA LISA® through mixed beds with airy verbena and soft grasses, letting its repeat-flowering rosettes punctuate movement and texture – appealing to gardeners who favour romantic, naturalistic planting.
- Courtyard Focal Pot – Position a single, well-grown plant in a large, square container by the back door, where dense foliage and clusters of flowers greet you year-round – good for busy urban homeowners with limited space.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bed rose from the Romantica® collection, registered as MEIlyxir and marketed as MONA LISA® Romantica® MEIlyxir; approved ARS exhibition name MONA LISA, shrub/floribunda show categories. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred in France by Michèle Meilland Richardier for Meilland International SA, with 2003 as breeding, registration and introduction year; parentage officially recorded as unknown within the breeder’s programme. |
| Awards and recognition |
Bronze medal at the Monza International Rose Competition in 2003, ADR certification in Germany in 2004 and SNHF Grand Prix de la Rose first prize in 2011, confirming consistent garden and trial performance. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Compact bushy shrub 55–80 cm high and 40–55 cm wide, with dense, slightly glossy mid-green foliage and moderate prickliness; forms a rounded, well-branched plant suited to beds, borders and container use. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very double rosette-type blooms with 40+ petals, carried in clusters on floribunda-style trusses; remontant habit with an abundant second flush, sustaining display through the main growing season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Flowers show an intense, vivid scarlet-red shade (RHS 46A–45A), deepening slightly in cool weather and lightening marginally in heat; colour remains uniform and glossy across the petal surfaces at full bloom. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Fragrance is very weak, with only a faint classic rose note detectable at close quarters; bred primarily for colour effect, floriferousness and garden performance rather than for pronounced scent characteristics. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip set is limited because of the highly double flowers, but occasional small globular hips, approximately 6–9 mm in diameter, may form; these mature to a red colour and remain an inconspicuous element of the plant. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated H7 with approximate hardiness between –26 and –23 °C, broadly equivalent to USDA zone 5b; disease resistance is medium to main foliar pathogens, requiring occasional monitoring and standard rose care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in well-prepared garden soil or large containers, with regular watering in hot spells and moderate maintenance; recommended spacings from 25–50 cm depending on use, tolerating partial shade in many UK gardens. |
MONA LISA® offers compact habit, long-season scarlet flowering and dependable coastal bed performance in a resilient own-root form that rewards patient gardeners seeking lasting colour with a quietly confident choice.
