TOURMALINE™ – white-pink tea hybrid rose – Delbard-Chabert
Bring a sense of seaside refreshment to your garden with TOURMALINE™, a gently scented hybrid tea whose elegant, high-centred blooms echo the soft hues of shells on a shingle beach. Bred by Delbard in 1965 and supplied as a pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre own-root plant, it establishes steadily and is well suited to smaller, family gardens where you want reliable colour rather than complicated work. Its medium-height, upright habit makes it easy to place as a veranda accent or near a seating area, while its moderate disease resistance supports lower-input maintenance. Over time the own-root structure promotes quiet endurance, helping the plant recover from wind, pruning or the occasional lapse in care. In the first year it concentrates on roots, in the second on strong shoots, and by the third it typically reveals its full ornamental value. In breezy, exposed districts it copes well once anchored in soil that handles winter wet and summer drainage, making it a reassuring choice for those coastal-inspired spaces where you want lasting, light-scented tea-rose charm without a demanding care routine.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Compact coastal-style front garden |
The upright, 100–140 cm habit fits narrow beds by paths or driveways, giving an elegant focal point without overwhelming a small plot. Its moderate disease resistance and own-root resilience support low-input care for beginners. |
| Veranda or patio in a large container |
Grows reliably in a 40–50 litre or larger pot, where its high-centred blooms can be appreciated at eye level. A steady, medium growth rate and manageable spread make feeding and pruning straightforward for busy-owners. |
| Sheltered seating corner with “tea in the wind” mood |
Light, classic rose fragrance and pastel white-pink flowers create a calm, relaxing backdrop for an afternoon chair or bench. The remontant flowering keeps colour returning across the season for home-owners. |
| Coastal veranda with shingle and grasses |
Pairs well with sea-themed planting such as Festuca and light sedges, visually echoing shells and foam. Once rooted in soil that copes well with winter wet and summer drainage, it stands up to breezier conditions for coastal-lovers. |
| Mixed border in a family back garden |
The moderate height and slightly glossy foliage integrate neatly with perennials without dominating them, adding structure and repeated blooms. Own-root durability supports long-term planting plans for family-gardeners. |
| Feature rose in a “girly” pastel corner |
White-pink flowers that fade to near-white bring a soft, romantic look next to lavender, lamb’s-ear or pale verbena. Continuous repeat flowering gives reliable prettiness from early summer onwards for pastel-lovers. |
| Cut-flower row for home arrangements |
Hybrid tea, high-centred blooms on upright stems are ideal for vases, while the subtle fragrance suits indoor spaces. Own-root plants regenerate well after cutting, maintaining a steady supply of stems for home-florists. |
| Low-maintenance rose bed for long-term planting |
Medium maintenance needs and moderate resistance to black spot and powdery mildew reduce the frequency of interventions. The own-root system supports long lifespan and stable performance, appealing to planning-conscious gardeners. |
Styling ideas
- Seashell Veranda – combine TOURMALINE™ in a 50-litre tub with Carex flacca ‘Blue Zinger’ and pale gravel to echo shingle and surf – for coastal-style lovers seeking a soft, breezy sitting area.
- Pastel Ribbon – line a narrow path with repeating plants at 55 cm spacing, underplanting with low lavender for scent and texture – for homeowners wanting calm, feminine structure without visual clutter.
- Tea-Corner Trio – plant three roses in a loose triangle near a bench, with Stachys byzantina as a silvery carpet – for small-garden users creating an intimate “cup-of-tea” retreat.
- Cut-Flower Row – arrange a short row along a sunny fence, keeping underplanting simple with Verbena hastata ‘White Spires’ – for hobby florists who like to cut elegant, long-stemmed blooms.
- Soft Border Anchor – place one plant as a central accent among airy grasses and white perennials, letting its pink fade harmonise with surrounding tones – for beginners wanting an easy focal point.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as DELfri, marketed as TOURMALINE™ Hybrid tea rose DELfri; ARS exhibition name Tourmaline; white-pink, cut-flower style blooms for garden use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by André Delbard-Chabert, France, 1965; parentage Chic Parisien × (Michèle Meilland × Bayadère); introduced and initially distributed by Georges Delbard SA. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated in 1965: Bagatelle, Paris Certificat de Mérite; Lyon First Prize, Gold Medal and “Plus Belle Rose de France”; Madrid “Rose of Madrid” and Gold Medal awards. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright bush, approximately 100–140 cm tall and 50–70 cm wide, moderately thorny; foliage moderately dense, light green and slightly glossy, forming a refined, vertical garden presence. |
| Flower morphology |
High-centred, pointed-budded hybrid tea blooms, medium-sized at 1.5–2.75 inches, double with 26–39 petals, typically borne singly on stems; remontant with a notably abundant second flush. |
| Colour data and phenology |
White-pink blend; ARS LP, RHS 68A outer, 62C inner. Buds deep pink, opening to pastel pink with darker edges, then fading to very pale pink or near-white with a fine pink margin as flowers age. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Light, subtle rose fragrance with a classic rosy character; scent is present but understated, adding refinement around seating areas without overwhelming nearby spaces or indoor arrangements. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasional small, spherical red hips, approximately 8–12 mm diameter; decorative in a modest way and mainly of interest where spent flowers are not removed late in the season. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C; RHS H7, Swedish zone 3, USDA 6b. Moderate overall disease resistance; black spot and powdery mildew resistant, rust susceptibility moderate. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Medium maintenance; occasional pest and disease checks advised. Space at 45–85 cm depending on use; around 3.3–3.8 plants/m² in mass plantings. Prefers well-drained soil and regular feeding for best flowering. |
TOURMALINE™ Hybrid tea rose DELfri offers elegant repeat flowering, compact upright growth and long-lived own-root reliability; consider it if you would like lasting, gently scented structure in a smaller garden.
