Rosa x polyantha Cherry Bonica

The 'Cherry Bonica' Rose bush is a beautiful red-flowered version of the famous Bonica rose, from which it has inherited exceptional qualities. Just like its parent, this extraordinary landscaping rose bush can withstand anything, it is never sick, tolerates harsh winters as well as hot summers, and provides continuous flowering from early summer until the first frost. Its dense vegetation, adorned with abundant dark green foliage, is dotted with pretty round cup-shaped flowers in a bright pinkish-red colour, grouped in small bouquets. This generous bush deserves a spot in a flower bed, along a path, in a low hedge, on a slope etc. It will not disappoint, whether in the countryside or in the city!

The 'Cherry Bonica' Rose belongs to the group of polyantha roses whose flowers are gathered in terminal clusters. It was introduced in 2014 by Meilland. This exceptional variety has won numerous awards: the German ADR* in 2015, 1st Prize and Public Choice at Paris Bagatelle in 2013, 1st Prize in Lyon in 2013, Gold Medal and Best Urban Landscape Rose Award in Monza (Italy) in 2013. Certificate of Merit Paysage Paris Bagatelle in 2014, Remontance and Resistance Award in Lyon 2014, 1st Prize Baden B. Wien (Austria) in 2014. Environmental Award Orléans in 2015, Gold Medal of the City of Glasgow (Scotland) in 2015, and finally 1st Prize SNHF in 2015.

'Cherry Bonica' has a fairly flexible, compact and dense bushy habit. Its growth is rapid, reaching an average height of 80 cm (32in) with a spread of 60-70 cm (24-28in). If pruned short, this bush behaves like a small polyantha. Its flowering renews itself without interruption from June until the frost. Its flowers are gathered in clusters of 2 to 5 units. They are double, delicately turbinate at first, then open into wide cups of 6-7 cm (2-3in), beautifully crumpled. They bloom from red buds and open into a cherry red or strawberry red colour, fading slightly over time. When faded, they fall off in a shower of petals, leaving the plant always neat. The sturdy stems with scattered thorns of this rose bush carry abundant foliage, a shiny dark green colour, often tinged with bronze on young shoots. This foliage remains beautiful until autumn, staying attached to the branches for a long time before falling.

The extravagant flowering of the Cherry Bonica rose surprises and delights fans of lush gardens without constraints, including those who are new to gardening. It adapts to all soils that are not too dry and to all climates, allowing it to be welcomed without reservation from north to south of our region. It can be planted in groups of 3, arranged in a triangle, or as a solitary plant on a lawn. It will work wonders when planted en masse along a path or to accentuate shrub borders. Create stunning borders by mixing your landscaping roses. It will also fit perfectly in beds of light or opulent perennials. For example, it can be combined with perennial geraniums, catmints, snapdragons, or Stachys. Left to its own devices, its slightly blurry habit will be wildly romantic in front of a flowered shrub border. For example, consider abelias, caryopteris, shrubby salvias etc. It will happily border a large pot on the terrace, balcony, or a flower-filled planter.

ADR is the label of the German Federation of Rose Breeders. The ADR designation is only granted to varieties that have passed the strictest tests in the world. The plants are tested simultaneously in 10 different locations, in various soil and climate conditions for several years. The tests focus on hardiness, perennial character, and flowering without the use of any pesticides.