NICCOLO PAGANINI ® – deep red bedding floribunda rose - Meilland
Imagine ending a blustery coastal afternoon with tea on the veranda, sheltered by the rich, velvety red of Niccolo Paganini® swaying in the breeze: this compact floribunda brings generous colour into everyday family gardens with surprisingly little effort. Bred by Meilland for reliable, season-long flowering, it forms a bushy, well-branched shrub that looks at home in neat beds, informal mixed borders or smart containers. In British coastal gardens it stands firm and flower-filled, calmly handling gusty winds and regular rain if the soil drains reasonably well. Own-root planting means dependable longevity and the reassuring ability to regenerate if winter or salt-laden gales ever knock it back. Over time you can expect a natural rhythm: first year rooting, second year stronger shoots, and by the third year full ornamental impact with dense, glossy foliage and clusters of cupped blooms that keep beds looking tidy between your visits.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front garden bedding strip |
Its compact, bushy habit and medium height create a low, formal ribbon of deep red along drives or paths, giving a classic look without complicated pruning or staking, ideal for neat front gardens managed by busy homeowners. |
| Coastal veranda containers |
In a 40–50 litre pot, Niccolo Paganini® anchors well and copes with blustery showers and changeable coastal weather, giving you an upright, flower-packed focal point that remains stable and attractive for veranda gardeners. |
| Small family back garden bed |
At around 65–95 cm, it fits easily into modest borders, offering a long sequence of red clusters from early summer onwards, so a single short row can carry the main flower display for family gardeners. |
| Low flowering hedge |
Planted at 35–40 cm intervals, the dense foliage and repeat-flowering clusters knit together into a colourful, semi-formal hedge that visually separates play areas and seating corners for practical planners. |
| Urban courtyard or patio |
Its moderate maintenance needs and reliable repeat flowering suit small paved spaces where you want maximum visual return from a few plants, keeping the scene fresh between occasional tidy-ups for city dwellers. |
| Mixed border with perennials and grasses |
The saturated deep red sits beautifully against airy grasses and light perennials, giving a strong, long-lasting colour anchor that does not disappear once early perennials fade, useful for design-conscious owners. |
| Seasonal cut flowers for the house |
Clustered, medium-sized stems cut well for short arrangements, and the subtly spicy scent and velvety texture provide classic, reliable material for vases without needing a dedicated cutting patch for home arrangers. |
| Weather-exposed coastal border |
Good heat and moderate drought tolerance, plus a bushy, low centre of gravity, mean it keeps its shape and flowering even in showery, wind-swept conditions typical of open coastal gardens for seaside gardeners. |
Styling ideas
- Shellwalk Border – edge a shingle path with Niccolo Paganini® and sea kale, letting deep red blooms glow against silver foliage and pale gravel – for coastal-style enthusiasts.
- Harbour Veranda – plant three roses in separate 50 litre tubs with compact lavender to frame a seating area, giving a structured yet soft windbreak – for tea-on-the-deck traditionalists.
- Crimson Ribbon – run a low hedge of Niccolo Paganini® along your front fence with Festuca grasses behind, creating a smart, low-upkeep streetside accent – for low-maintenance front-garden keepers.
- Sunset Trio – combine the rose with white Liatris and airy Gypsophila in a small bed so the red flowers read as a steady backdrop to seasonal spikes – for colour-balance lovers.
- Patio Focus – place a single, well-grown plant in a large clay pot near the back door, underplanted with creeping thyme, to enjoy quick-impact blooms where you pass daily – for space-limited patio users.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Niccolo Paganini® (MEIcairma), floribunda bedding rose; bed rose group. ARS exhibition name Niccolo Paganini. Collection: Bedding rose. Verified cultivar authenticity and premium silver quality grade. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alain Meilland, Meilland International, France. Parentage MEIjulita × (MEIdanu × Uncle Walter). Bred, introduced and registered 1990 by Meilland International as a floribunda bedding shrub. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated floribunda: Lyon Gold Medal 1990, Plus Belle Rose de France 1990 and Medal of the Great Rose of the Century 1990, confirming established performance and ornamental value. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, well-branched shrub 65–95 cm tall, 40–60 cm spread. Dense, mid-green, glossy foliage with moderate prickliness. Self-cleaning is moderate, with some spent blooms dropping naturally between deadheading rounds. |
| Flower morphology |
Double, cupped flowers with a medium-height centre, 26–39 petals. Medium-sized, cluster-flowered trusses. Remontant habit, providing a generous second flush after the main early-summer flowering period. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep, velvety-toned red; ARS code dr, RHS 187A–187B. Buds dark burgundy with blackish tint, opening to rich red, later darkening slightly. Colour holds well in sun, with only minimal fading through the season. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Mild but noticeable scent with a subtly spicy rose character. Not overpowering near seating areas, yet adds a traditional garden-rose nuance when flowers are brought indoors as small cut sprays. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip set is usually scant because of the full double blooms. When produced, hips are spherical, orange-red, around 8–12 mm in diameter, adding modest late-season interest without seeding issues. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated to about −21 to −18 °C; RHS H7, Swedish zone 3, USDA 6b. Heat tolerance good and copes with moderate drought if watered. Disease resistance moderate to black spot, powdery mildew and rust. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with free-draining soil. Plant 40 cm apart in beds, 35 cm for hedging or 60 cm as specimens; 6.3–7.2 plants/m² for mass effect. Medium maintenance; occasional plant protection and deadheading. |
NICCOLO PAGANINI ® offers compact, deep red clusters, reliable repeat flowering and a bushy, space-efficient habit on a durable own-root framework, making it a considered choice for long-term coastal and family gardens alike.
