Rosa Sophie Luise

Rosa Sophie Luise combines the nostalgic charm of old-fashioned roses with the qualities of modern roses. Its opulent flowers are fully double, in a rich pink-red colour. Their intense fragrance is reminiscent of Damask rose. The bush is vigorous and it is resistant to diseases. It blooms continuously throughout summer, until the first frosts. It looks stunning in flower beds and provides beautiful flowers for bouquets.

Rosa Sophie Luise was introduced in 2019 by the German rose breeder Tantau. It has been repeatedly named in international competitions such as the Rosarium Uetersen in Germany in 2013, and was voted Rose of the Year 2010 in New Zealand. It is similar to English roses, with repeat flowering, producing large flowers grouped in small bouquets. The bush, with an upright habit, will quickly reach a height of 1.2m (4ft) and a width of 70cm (28in). Its cup-shaped roses measure 10cm (4in) wide. They are divided into quarters, composed of over 41 petals in a deep pink-fuchsia colour with magenta highlights. Each flower exudes a powerful fragrance. The foliage is divided into leaflets of a vibrant green colour, and it remains healthy under good growing conditions. The plant is deciduous and loses its leaves in winter.

This enchanting bush is perfect for flower beds, planted in groups of 3. It can be combined with many perennials or annuals with light flowering, such as paniculate gypsophila, tall phlox, perennial geraniums, love-in-a-mist, or catmints. It is not too sensitive to competition from the roots of other plants, which means it can be planted in a flower bed with modest-sized flowering shrubs (deutzias, abelias). Also consider combining it with small-sized clematis, in violet, blue, or white flowers.