Rosa x floribunda Alain - Floribunda Rose

The 'Alain' Rose is one of the already trusted polyanthas whose reputation is well established. Flowering and reliable, this great classic of flower gardens offers semi-double roses of a bright red revealing a small yellow centre, gathered in beautiful bouquets enhanced by beautiful foliage that is quite resistant to diseases. This vigorous bush provides a perpetual flowering, which can be encouraged by regularly removing faded flowers. It is ideal for creating borders and sunny flower beds in small spaces or the terrace.

The 'Alain' Rose is a French creation by Francis Meilland dating back to 1946. This variety, belonging to the floribunda rose family, quickly forms a solid, ramified and compact bush, with thorny stems, 1.10m (4ft) in height and an average spread of 70-80cm (28-32in). It is covered with shiny foliage, initially red and turning dark green in summer. Its flowering is abundant in May-June, and then more or less regularly continues until November if it is regularly pruned. Its corollas, 6-7cm (2-3in) wide, are semi-double, composed of 8 to 15 petals, gathered in bouquets of 5 to 7 flowers. The tightly closed burgundy buds open into globular flowers, with slightly undulate petals, gradually unfolding into flat and well-opened cups with a small yellow stamen center. The petals are a primary and powerful red, sometimes crossed by a small white stripe. The fragrance of this rose is light but pleasant.

The floribunda roses allow for the creation of beautiful small hedges, planted mixed along the edge of the terrace or in small-sized shrub beds. Combine them with abelias, nandinas, or caryopteris, for example. They are good companions for paniculate phlox and tall gypsophila. The vigour and resistance of 'Alain' make it an interesting variety for all gardens, even small ones, and for cultivation in large pots. Its use is versatile, according to the desires of each gardener: in a rose bed, accompanied by white varieties ('Marie Pavie', 'Swanny'), or mauve ones ('Blue Boy', 'Rhapsody in Blue', 'Roman Waltz'), or mixed with easy-to-grow perennials such as perennial geraniums, small-flowered carnations, campanulas, or asters. And its roses are so warm in bouquets!