Rosa Queen Elizabeth - Standard Floribunda Rose

The standard version of the 'Queen Elizabeth' hybrid tea rose is a timeless classic. This variety owes its popularity to the elegance of its large, perfectly shaped roses in a very pure light pink colour. While it has been planted in gardens en masse since its creation in 1954, its vigour and continuous flowering from June to October also contribute to its appeal. Despite being criticised for its stiff habit, it still produces long, sturdy stems that are ideal for long-lasting bouquets. This standard rose deserves a prominent place in the centre of a rose bed, for example.

Standard roses are obtained by grafting a variety (in this case, Queen Elizabeth) onto a single, upright stem belonging to a different rose (Rosa canina, R. laxa or R. multiflora). The graft is made at a certain height, here at 90 cm (35in) - 1 m (3ft) from the ground. In very cold regions, it may be necessary to protect the rootstock in winter.

The Queen Elizabeth Hybrid Tea Rose, introduced in 1954 by Dr. Walter E. Lammerts (USA), is one of the modern hybrid tea roses belonging to the 'grandiflora' group. Obtained by crossing hybrid teas with floribundas, they are as floriferous as the latter and display the perfect beauty of the former. This variety was awarded an AARS in the USA in 1955, the most prestigious award guaranteeing the quality of a rose after 2 years of testing in all climates. More recently, in 2015, it received an Award of Excellence for Best Established Rose, also in the United States.

As a standard rose, Queen Elizabeth has the characteristic habit of a small tree, with a slightly stiff and sometimes irregular crown. Its robust branches bear large prickles and medium green, glossy foliage that can be susceptible to diseases. It is not uncommon for some of its stems to reach a height of 2 m (7ft). This continuously flowering rose blooms from June to October. It produces solitary or clusters of 3 or 4 roses at the end of very straight stems. Turbinate in shape, measuring 10 to 12 cm (4 to 5in) across, they are composed of 26 to 40 well-arranged petals. Their colour is a medium intensity pure pink, and very fresh. These flowers are scentless.

Although it can be somewhat challenging to integrate into a flower bed due to its unnatural habit, the Queen Elizabeth Standard Rose is adaptable to poor soil and difficult conditions. This rose will find its place in the centre of a large rose bed, as a standalone feature in a well-maintained garden, in a row along a pathway, or even in a container on the patio. Throughout the summer season, it offers abundant flowers that can be used to create lovely bouquets. In a classic and tasteful bouquet, their perfect form can be complemented by forget-me-nots, catmints, foxgloves, peach-leaved bellflowers, and clouds of pink or white baby's breath.