SHEHERAZADE® – pink floribunda bedding rose – Kimura
Sheherazade® brings a romantic, storybook charm to family gardens, with cupped, lilac‑pink blooms that repeat in generous clusters over a long season and fill the air with a very strong, lingering perfume for dreamy afternoon tea moments under an arbour. Its compact, bushy habit and moderate height make it easy to place in small to medium beds, cottage borders and larger containers, while own‑root planting supports a naturally long‑lived, reliable shrub that regenerates well after pruning. Well suited to typical British gardens where coastal breezes and wet spells test many roses, it gives stable ornamental value with only medium maintenance and straightforward seasonal care. In the first year it concentrates on roots, the second on stronger shoots, and by the third year it shows its full ornamental potential as an established, romantic feature. Few thorns and moderately dense, matt mid‑green foliage make everyday handling more comfortable, and its flexible use in borders, hedged lines or specimen plantings helps you create a cosy, cottage‑style retreat with minimal fuss.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front or mid‑border in a cottage‑style family garden |
The compact, bushy structure and 70–100 cm height fit neatly into mixed cottage borders without overwhelming neighbouring perennials, giving a balanced, softly mounded shape that repeats flower flushes through the season for dependable colour. Ideal for beginners |
| Romantic focal point near a seating or afternoon tea area |
Very strong, long‑lasting fragrance combined with double, cupped blooms in lilac‑pink tones creates a richly scented focal point beside a bench, pergola or arbour, turning everyday tea breaks into atmospheric moments with minimal extra garden upkeep. Ideal for fragrance‑lovers |
| Small specimen rose in lawn pockets or paved courtyards |
A single shrub holds its shape well and flowers in clustered heads, so even one plant set in a lawn bay or courtyard cut‑out offers a generous display, while own‑root growth supports gradual thickening and reliable re‑sprouting after harder pruning. Ideal for homeowners |
| Loose, low hedge edging along paths or driveways |
Recommended spacings of 45–55 cm allow informal, low hedges that guide visitors with a ribbon of colour and scent; the compact habit stays tidy with simple annual pruning, and sparse prickles make light clipping and child‑friendly access easier. Ideal for families |
| Large containers on terraces, balconies or patios |
Its moderate size and bushy outline make it well suited to 40–50 litre or larger tubs, where regular watering and feeding are easy to manage, giving town gardens or paved terraces a romantic rose presence without needing deep beds or heavy digging. Ideal for urban‑gardeners |
| Mixed planting with perennials and kitchen‑garden herbs |
Clustered flowering and soft pink‑lilac tones combine beautifully with airy companions like thyme, lesser calamint or low grasses, creating a gentle, “girly” English cottage mood while still leaving space for practical kitchen‑garden plants around it. Ideal for cottage‑style‑fans |
| Family gardens in breezier, rain‑exposed locations |
Medium disease resistance and reliable flowering help it cope when gardens face frequent rain and wind off the coast, provided drainage is reasonable, so you gain stable, long‑term ornament without specialist treatments, just normal rose care and feeding. Ideal for busy‑owners |
| Long‑term planting for durable structure and renewal |
As an own‑root floribunda, it builds up from a young plant into a sturdy shrub over several seasons, with the ability to replace older stems from the base and maintain flowering performance, supporting a long lifespan with straightforward yearly pruning. Ideal for long‑term‑planners |
Styling ideas
- Cottage Border Ribbon – thread Sheherazade® through a border with catmints and low grasses for a softly romantic pink‑and‑mauve band that repeats flower flushes – suited to lovers of traditional cottage gardens
- Perfumed Seating Nook – plant two or three shrubs beside a bench or arbour so their very strong scent and clustered blooms frame afternoon tea moments – suited to fragrance‑focused relaxers
- Courtyard Centrepiece – use one plant in a generous 50 litre terracotta pot as a compact, bushy focal point with long‑season colour on a paved terrace – suited to space‑conscious urban homeowners
- Low Storybook Hedge – line a front path with evenly spaced plants for a low, informal hedge, offering soft colour, light prickles and easy annual shaping – suited to families wanting gentle structure
- Herb‑Rose Patch – mix with creeping thyme and lesser calamint near a kitchen garden for a “girly”, country feel that blends ornament, fragrance and useful herbs – suited to rural kitchen‑garden keepers
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Floribunda, modern shrub rose; registered as KIMteller, marketed as Sheherazade® Bedding rose KIMteller; ARS exhibition name Sheherazad; bed rose, flowerbed floribunda type. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Takunori Kimura in Japan, 2013, from ‘Urara’ × ‘Jubilee Celebration’; introduced after 2015 via André Eve Roses Anciennes in France; selected for garden bedding use. |
| Awards and recognition |
Silver Medal, Nagaoka International Fragrant Rose Trials 2014; “Most Fragrant Rose” and Bronze Medal, Gifu Rose Trials 2016; Perfume Cup and Certificate of Merit, Monaco 2018. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Compact, bushy shrub 70–100 cm high and 50–80 cm wide, with moderately dense, matt mid‑green foliage and sparse prickles; suitable for borders, low hedges and container cultivation. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, cup‑shaped blooms with 26–39 petals, produced in clusters; strong remontant habit with abundant second flush; typical flower size 2.75–3.95 inches, good garden visibility. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Medium pink base with delicate violet‑lilac flush, deeper toward the centre; buds vibrant pink; fades to paler pink with grey‑purple tinges, holding better in cooler conditions; very good colour retention overall. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, long‑lasting perfume recognised by multiple fragrance awards; suitable for planting near paths and seating areas where the scent can be appreciated at close quarters across the flowering season. |
| Hip characteristics |
Produces moderate quantities of ellipsoid hips, 8–12 mm diameter, colouring orange‑red; ornamental interest mainly in late season, with limited impact on overall garden display or plant performance. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Medium resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust; hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); tolerates heat moderately with adequate watering and care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers sunny positions; plant 45–85 cm apart depending on use, at 3.3–3.8 plants/m² for bedding; medium maintenance with regular feeding and pruning; suitable for borders, containers and specimen roles. |
SHEHERAZADE® offers richly perfumed, repeat flowering on a compact, bushy shrub that thrives long‑term on its own roots, making it a graceful, low‑effort choice for those curating a romantic family garden.
