PINK PANTHER™ – pink hybrid tea rose – MEIcapinal
Imagine arranging your own garden-cut roses for afternoon tea under an arbour: PINK PANTHER™ brings romance to small family gardens with its coral-pink, exhibition-quality blooms and classic, may-rose fragrance. This upright hybrid tea thrives in typical UK conditions, even where gardens face salty breezes and wind from more exposed, coastal areas. The dense, glossy foliage frames each large, goblet-shaped flower, which repeats dependably from early summer into autumn, offering steady colour in cottage borders and kitchen plots. As an own-root plant it matures into a long-lived, stable shrub that regenerates well after pruning, with its first year focused on roots, the second on new shoots, and by the third rewarding you with full ornamental impact. Whether grown as a feature in a deep border or in a generous 50–60 litre container, it suits beginners and time-pressed gardeners who still want a refined, traditional display.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Main view rose near patio or seating area |
The upright habit and large, solitary flowers give a clear focal point without taking over a small garden, while repeat flushes keep the border interesting from summer to autumn. Ideal for those wanting a reliable eye-catcher for family gardens. |
| Cottage-style mixed border with perennials |
PINK PANTHER™ slots neatly among classics like lady’s mantle and hardy geranium, its medium height and dense foliage filling gaps while coral-pink blooms add a romantic, English-countryside note. Best suited to lovers of relaxed, traditional cottage-borders. |
| Cutting patch for home flower arrangements |
The hybrid tea form, long stems and well-shaped buds make it excellent for vases and table settings, extending the pleasure of the garden indoors with fragrant, exhibition-style roses. Perfect for home arrangers who value garden-grown bouquets. |
| Feature rose in a large container |
In a 50–60 litre pot it forms a compact, vertical accent for terraces or front doors, with own-root vigour helping it recover well after light pruning and repotting. A good match for balcony and patio owners seeking structured, low-fuss containers. |
| Sunny, heat-exposed front garden |
Good heat tolerance allows it to cope with south-facing aspects and reflective paving, provided it is watered during prolonged dry spells, keeping blooms and foliage presentable. Suited to householders dealing with warm, sun-baked frontages. |
| Informal hedge or row along a path |
Planted at the recommended spacing, the upright bushes line paths with an elegant run of colour, while moderate disease resistance and own-root resilience keep long-term care manageable. Ideal for gardeners wanting a classic rose walkway effect. |
| Family garden with variable weather exposure |
This cultivar offers dependable flowering and stable growth even where borders see blustery days and salty breezes rolling in from more exposed, coastal areas, provided soil drainage is managed sensibly. Fits busy families needing tough yet pretty planting. |
| Low-maintenance, long-term rose investment |
As an own-root hybrid tea it re-sprouts from its base if cut back hard or winter-damaged, supporting a long lifespan and steady ornamental value with only basic seasonal pruning. Best for beginners wanting a forgiving, future-proof rose. |
Styling ideas
- Arbour-entrance pair – Flank a simple wooden arch with two PINK PANTHER™ specimens in the ground, underplanted with lady’s mantle for a soft, frothy edge – for romantics creating a storybook garden entrance.
- Kitchen-door posy bed – Plant a small square of bushes near the back door so you can cut fragrant stems for jugs on the table – for home cooks who enjoy decorating the kitchen with their own roses.
- Patio focal pot – Grow a single plant in a 50–60 litre clay container with trailing thyme at the base – for terrace owners wanting a neat, vertical accent that flowers for months.
- Cottage ribbon border – Repeat PINK PANTHER™ along a narrow front-garden strip, interspersed with nepeta and hardy geranium – for those aiming to echo classic village frontages in limited space.
- Shared-family walkway – Line a main path with evenly spaced bushes on one or both sides to enjoy colour and scent on the daily school run – for families who want a simple, traditional look with clear structure.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose; registered as MEIcapinal, marketed as PINK PANTHER™ hybrid tea rose MEIcapinal; ARS exhibition name Pink Panther, verified cultivar identity for garden and show use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Marie-Louise Meilland (Meilland International) in France from ‘Coppélia 76’ × ‘MEInaregi’; introduced and registered in 1981 by Meilland Richardier for ornamental and cutting use. |
| Awards and recognition |
ADR-certified in Germany (1981) and decorated with multiple European medals, including gold at The Hague and silver at Le Roeulx, Geneva, Monza and Saverne, plus a noted fragrance award. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Compact, upright bush 80–105 cm tall and 50–70 cm wide, with dense, dark green, glossy foliage and moderate prickliness; maintains a tidy outline suitable for beds, low hedges and containers. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very double, goblet to cup-shaped blooms, typically solitary on stems, with over 40 petals; remontant habit providing an initial flush followed by abundant repeat flowering in summer. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Warm coral to salmon-pink base with deeper pink edges; colour softens to powdery, pearly pink as blooms age. Outer petals RHS 65D, inner 62C, with overall medium-deep pink effect in full flower. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Medium-strength, distinct classic rose scent with a may-rose character; fragrance is noticeable on still days and lends itself well to cutting for indoor enjoyment near seating or dining areas. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasional small, spherical red hips produced, typically 6–10 mm diameter, adding modest late-season interest without significantly affecting the plant’s repeat-flowering performance in gardens. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b); moderate resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust; benefits from good air circulation and basic preventive care in humid seasons. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in sunny sites with well-drained soil; moderate maintenance with occasional pest and disease checks; suitable for beds, low hedging, specimen planting and large containers at 50 cm spacing. |
PINK PANTHER™ offers classic hybrid tea blooms, reliable repeat flowering and a compact, long-lived own-root shrub that recovers well from pruning; an excellent choice if you would like a refined yet practical garden rose.
