Pierre de Ronsard Rose (Eden Rose)
Rosa 'Pierre de Ronsard' (Eden Rose 85)
Height
200–300 cm
Flower size
10–12 cm
Bloom time
June – September (repeat blooming)
Light
Full Sun (min 6 hours)
Watering
Abundant (20 L)
Hardiness
Zone 6 (requires winter cover)
Fragrance
Very mild, barely perceptible
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Incredibly beautiful, double 'old-fashioned' blooms
- Very abundant first flowering (bush is literally covered in flowers)
- Thick, sturdy canes with few thorns
- High resistance to leaf diseases
Disadvantages
- Almost complete lack of fragrance (unexpected for such looks)
- Heavy buds may droop in the rain and rot
- Stiff canes are very difficult to bend to the ground for wintering
- Slow growth rate in the first 2 years
Use in Landscape Design
A classic climber. Perfect for decorating arches, pergolas, gazebos, and house walls. Important: requires a strong support as the mature plant is quite heavy. It can be grown as a tall shrub without support, but this will require significant pruning.
Variety Description and History
Pierre de Ronsard (or Eden Rose 85) is a Meilland masterpiece named after the French Renaissance poet. This rose has character: it combines the charm of old roses with the endurance of modern hybrids. The flowers are large, heavy, globular, creamy-white on the outside and rich pink in the center, creating a 'glowing' effect. The foliage is tough, dark green, and fungal-resistant. В In cool climates, the flowers may not open fully, remaining in tight 'cabbage' shapes.
Planting and Support
This powerful rose needs a nutrient-rich hole (min 60x60 cm) filled with 2-3 buckets of humus or compost. Choose a sunny but ventilated spot so petals dry quickly after dew. Important: leave at least 50–60 cm of space from a wall or fence to prevent roots from overheating and allow air circulation. Bury the graft union 5-7 cm deep.
Watering and Fertilization
Pierre de Ronsard has a massive vegetative volume that needs plenty of hydration. In heat, it requires up to 20–30 liters of water per adult bush once a week. The variety is a 'heavy feeder': fertilizers are mandatory for repeat blooming. Spring — nitrogen; summer — alternating organic (mullein infusion 1:10) and mineral complexes. Potassium deficiency will cause buds to fail to open.
Pruning and the Secret to Blooms (Horizontal Training)
This is the most critical part. Climbing roses bloom most abundantly on lateral shoots that grow from horizontal branches. 1. Training: Do not let canes grow strictly vertical — only the tips will bloom. Distribute branches 'fan-like' on the support or spiral them around a pillar. The more horizontal the branch, the more flowers it will produce. 2. Pruning: In spring, remove only winter-killed and very old (4+ years) canes. Shorten lateral branches to 2-3 buds. Try to preserve the main long canes — they are the base for flowering.
Winter Preparation
The main challenge for gardeners is laying it down for winter. The canes are thick and brittle. Start bending them early, in late September while it's still warm. Do it in several stages, lowering them a bit each day and securing with twine. Place evergreen boughs or foam under the canes to prevent contact with the ground. Cover with a double layer of 60 g/m² spunbond over hoops.
Diseases and Pests
The variety shows excellent resistance to black spot and powdery mildew. The main issues are thrips and blossom beetles, which love light, fragrant flowers. They eat the bud centers, causing them to rot. If small black beetles are found inside petals, immediately treat with systemic insecticides like 'Mospilan' or 'Confidor'.