Rosa 'The McCartney Rose'

Repeat-flowering hybrid tea rose with large, fragrant flowers and glossy dark green foliage right down to the ground. The pink flowers are semi-double, 7-10 cm wide, dark rosy pink in bud. Hips are not particularly ornamental.

Registered name: Rosa 'MEIzeli', bred by Meilland International in France. Offered to Sir Paul McCartney as a birthday gift from his record company. Also sold as Rosa 'Sweet Lady' or Rosa 'Paul McCartney'.

Tolerates light shade, but plant in full sun for best flowering and disease resistance. Can be grown in any soil that is well-draining and contains a generous amount of organic matter. Responds well to rose fertiliser. Quite susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, including black spot, so will need excellent growing conditions, and may need spraying.  Dead-head during the flowering season, and prune in winter.

Lovely rose for flower display, fragrance and cutting. Could also be grown as an informal hedge.