CECIL DE VOLANGES – pale pink nostalgia rose – Kimura
Set the scene for afternoon tea beneath a rose‑covered arbour with CECIL DE VOLANGES, a compact shrub rose whose pastel blooms bring a quietly romantic, storybook atmosphere to small and medium family gardens. Its rosette flowers open from pearly buds to very double, powder‑pink petals that slowly fade to almost white, creating a soft, layered colour effect that works effortlessly with cottage‑style perennials and clipped hedging. Well suited to UK gardens exposed to rain and breeze by the coast, it combines reliable structure with a gentle, fresh fragrance that never overwhelms your seating area. As an own‑root plant in our 2‑litre container, it is bred for long‑term stability, gradually forming a well‑anchored root system that supports dense growth and dependable flowering year after year. Give it reasonable care and light, regular feeding and it will reward you with repeat flushes from early summer to autumn, perfect beside a path, under a window, or near the kitchen garden gate. CECIL DE VOLANGES thrives in mixed borders, low hedges or large containers, helping you build a coherent, feminine cottage‑garden palette with minimal replanting, so you can enjoy its nostalgic charm while the rest of the garden matures around it.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front of cottage-style mixed border |
The compact habit and 85–115 cm height allow CECIL DE VOLANGES to sit neatly at the front of a mixed border without hiding plants behind it, giving a soft, pastel focal point that repeats flower through the season for homeowners who value gently romantic planting styles |
| Low, romantic flowering hedge |
Planted at 30 cm intervals, this shrub builds a low, lacy hedge with overlapping pale-pink rosettes that read as a continuous band of colour, ideal for edging paths or separating a kitchen garden from a lawn for families who enjoy clearly framed yet traditional garden layouts outside |
| Feature planting near seating or terrace |
The medium-sized, very double blooms have a mild, fresh rosy scent that is noticeable close up but never overpowering, making them well suited to benches, terraces or arbour seating areas for those who like quiet fragrance while relaxing with tea or a book nearby |
| Statement specimen in a large container |
In a 40–50 litre pot, the compact structure and moderate spread let the shrub form a well-balanced dome of foliage and flowers, ideal for small patios or urban spaces where in-ground planting is limited, for busy city gardeners wanting a romantic accent with manageable scale indoors |
| Pastel-toned nostalgia rose collection |
The delicate colour transition from powder pink to near white brings depth to collections of romantic shrubs, sitting harmoniously with other soft shades without clashing, which appeals to collectors and cottage-garden lovers curating a subtly coordinated pastel scheme together |
| Structured rose bed in family garden |
Its compact, upright framework makes it straightforward to arrange at the recommended planting distances, creating an orderly yet soft-edged rose bed that is easy to read and maintain, suiting families who like a traditional rose area that still feels relaxed and inviting nearby |
| Wind-aware planting in exposed gardens |
The moderate height and sturdy branching cope well where gardens are open to rain and wind, helping flowers present cleanly rather than being battered, a reassuring choice for coastal or breezier plots where owners want romance without constant replacement or staking outside |
| Long-term, own-root focal point |
As an own-root shrub, CECIL DE VOLANGES naturally renews from its base, supporting a long planting life and stable shape even after harder pruning, which benefits beginners and busy gardeners seeking a rose that can mature gracefully with their garden over many years beside |
Styling ideas
- Pastel-porch welcome – Pair with dwarf French marigolds and soft blue sedges by the front path for a gentle, storybook entrance – ideal for homeowners who want a romantic but easy-to-read first impression
- Kitchen-garden border – Line a vegetable plot or herb bed with these pale-pink shrubs for a “girly” cottage edge – perfect for those who like their productive garden to feel decorative as well as practical
- Arbour-tea corner – Use as flanking shrubs at each side of a seat or simple arch, underplanted with Penstemon ‘Husker Red’ for contrast – suited to garden owners dreaming of an afternoon-tea retreat
- Pastel-harmony bed – Combine with other low romantic roses and silver-foliage perennials for a cohesive, powdery palette – for enthusiasts building a soft, nostalgic rose collection in a modest space
- Container-romance – Plant a single shrub in a 50-litre clay pot with trailing thyme or lobelia at the rim – convenient for balcony or patio gardeners wanting maximum charm from one movable feature
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
CECIL DE VOLANGES, shrub nostalgia rose in the Romantic rose collection; current trade name CECIL DE VOLANGES – pale pink nostalgia rose – Kimura; ARS exhibition name not recorded. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Takunori Kimura at Keisei Rose Nursery, Japan, bred and introduced in 2011; parentage not documented, developed as a compact, romantic shrub rose for ornamental garden use. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Compact shrub, typically 85–115 cm tall with 40–60 cm spread; moderately thorny stems and mid-green, slightly glossy foliage of medium density; suitable for beds, edging and feature planting. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double rosette flowers with more than 40 petals, produced in clusters; medium flower size around 4–7 cm, remontant with abundant second flush; stamens partly concealed by petals. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Pale pastel pink (RHS 65C outer, 65D inner) fading to near white; buds soft pale pink with pearlescent sheen; colour lightens through flowering, with moderate retention and gentle, nostalgic appearance. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Mild, fresh rosy fragrance with subtle character; best appreciated at close range near seating or paths; not overpowering, intended to complement rather than dominate surrounding planting compositions. |
| Hip characteristics |
Produces spherical red hips, around 6–10 mm in diameter, in moderate quantities; hips add seasonal interest in late season without significantly affecting overall flowering performance. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C (USDA 6b, RHS H7, Swedish Zone 3); disease resistance weaker, with high susceptibility to powdery mildew and black spot and moderate sensitivity to rust. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers a sunny, airy site with regular plant protection in disease-prone areas; plant 30–55 cm apart depending on use; maintain through timely pruning, feeding and good hygiene to support health. |
CECIL DE VOLANGES offers compact structure, delicate pastel blooms and gentle scent in a long-lived own-root form that settles into family gardens with quiet reliability; a thoughtful choice if you favour romantic planting that matures gracefully.
