Hybrid tea rose (Rosa 'Meizeli' THE MCCARTNEY ROSE)
Rosa 'Meizeli' THE MCCARTNEY ROSE is a showy, highly fragrant Hybrid tea rose perfect for cutting, blooming pink from May to frost.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Rosa ‘Meizeli’ THE MCCARTNEY ROSE, known commercially as THE MCCARTNEY ROSE, is a highly regarded Hybrid tea rose cherished for its intense fragrance and vigorous growth habit. This classic florist-type rose produces large, semi-double blooms notable for their captivating scent, making them highly desirable for gardens and bouquets alike. As a robust deciduous shrub, it offers consistent garden color and structure, fulfilling the classic vision of a Hybrid tea rose.
This variety matures to a manageable size, typically reaching 3 to 4 feet in height, making it versatile for various landscape applications. It demands full sun exposure for the best flowering performance and disease resistance, rewarding attentive gardeners with flushes of pink flowers beginning in May and continuing until frost. Successful cultivation of Rosa ‘Meizeli’ THE MCCARTNEY ROSE relies on good cultural practices standard for hybrid roses.
Gardeners will find the deep green, glossy foliage provides an excellent backdrop for the showy pink flowers. Because it falls into the Hybrid tea category, it benefits from yearly severe pruning to maintain its shape and encourage the sought-after long-stemmed blooms that define this class of rose.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-4 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: May to frost
- Bloom Description: Pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Plant Rosa ‘Meizeli’ THE MCCARTNEY ROSE in rich, well-drained garden loams that are slightly acidic. While they tolerate some light shade, maximum flower production and improved disease resistance are achieved when sited in locations receiving full sun. Morning watering is ideal, providing deep, regular moisture without wetting the foliage to prevent fungal issues down the line.
Ongoing care centers on moisture retention and air movement. Apply a summer mulch to cool the roots, suppress weeds, and conserve water. Good air circulation is crucial for discouraging common rose diseases; site plants where air can move freely around the canopy. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to promote continuous reblooming throughout the season.
As a Hybrid tea rose, routine pruning is necessary. In late winter, particularly in colder climates like that of St. Louis, prune back canes severely—often to 12-18 inches from the ground—to shape the plant and maximize spring vigor. In harsh winters, providing winter protection for the lower crowns of Rosa ‘Meizeli’ THE MCCARTNEY ROSE is a wise precaution. Throughout the season, immediately remove and destroy any diseased leaves to minimize pathogen spread.
Landscape Uses
Rosa ‘Meizeli’ THE MCCARTNEY ROSE excels both functionally and aesthetically in the garden. It works perfectly when used as an accent plant, drawing the eye with its magnificent scented blooms, or planted in small groups to form attractive, fragrant borders near walkways or patios. Its height and structure also lend themselves well to foundation plantings where structure is required throughout the growing season.
As a premier cut rose noted for its size and powerful fragrance, ensure it has easy access for harvesting blooms. When designing beds, pair this Hybrid tea rose with plants that share similar full-sun and medium-water needs, such as Lavender or sturdy Peonies, which provide textural contrast when the rose is not in full flower. It can also be utilized effectively in structured cottage gardens or dedicated rose gardens where its fragrance can perfume the entire space.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Rosa is the genus for approximately 150 species of deciduous shrubs known for their often fragrant, complex flowers borne on prickly stems. Hybrid tea roses, like Rosa ‘Meizeli’ THE MCCARTNEY ROSE, are the archetypal florist roses, distinguished by high centers and long stems, typically producing one bloom per shoot, though this specific cultivar offers repeat flushes. ‘MEIzeli’ is famous for its extremely fragrant pink flowers, measuring up to 3-4 inches across with 20-40 petals per semi-double bloom.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Roses are inherently susceptible to several major diseases, including black spot, powdery mildew, and rust, along with common pests like aphids, scale, and spider mites. The best initial defense against these issues is rigorous cultural adherence: ensuring full sun, providing deep morning water only, and maintaining good air circulation to keep foliage dry. If diseases persist, preventative fungicide applications throughout the humid growing season are often necessary.
Consistent garden hygiene is vital for managing common problems affecting Hybrid tea roses. Always remove and destroy any fallen or diseased leaves found on the ground during the growing season and during the final dormant cleanup in winter to limit overwintering fungal spores. If pest infestations occur, consult local extension services for specific recommendations on safe and effective treatments for aphids or borers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Rosa ‘Meizeli’ THE MCCARTNEY ROSE suitable for?
This Hybrid tea rose is hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9, though protection for the crown may be needed in the coldest parts of Zone 5.
How large does Rosa ‘Meizeli’ THE MCCARTNEY ROSE grow?
At maturity, this vigorous shrub typically reaches a height between 3 and 4 feet and spreads to 2 or 3 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Rosa ‘Meizeli’ THE MCCARTNEY ROSE need?
For optimal flowering and the best resistance to foliar diseases, Rosa ‘Meizeli’ THE MCCARTNEY ROSE requires full sun exposure daily.
When does Rosa ‘Meizeli’ THE MCCARTNEY ROSE bloom?
This beautiful plant begins flowering in May and continues to put on repeat flushes of its pink blooms right up until the first hard frost.
Conclusion
Rosa ‘Meizeli’ THE MCCARTNEY ROSE stands out as a cornerstone Hybrid tea rose due to its exceptional fragrance and vigorous reblooming habits, delivering performance well beyond its moderate maintenance requirement. Its glossy dark green foliage provides year-round interest when combined with its season-long pink display. Ensure this plant is sited in full sun and receives deep, targeted watering to enjoy the best of what THE MCCARTNEY ROSE has to offer in your climate zone.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate neighbors is key to creating a healthy rose garden for Rosa ‘Meizeli’ THE MCCARTNEY ROSE. Plants with similar needs regarding moisture and sun, but differing foliage textures, make excellent companions. Consider planting silvery-leaved herbs like Lavender or Artemisia nearby; their drought tolerance often complements the rose’s medium water needs once established, and their aromatic qualities can sometimes confuse certain pests.
When planting near the base of this Hybrid tea rose, use low-growing annuals or perennials that do not compete aggressively for root space near the shallow feeders of the rose. Good choices include Sedum varieties or Geraniums that thrive in full sun and won’t shade the lower canes, which helps maintain good air circulation vital for disease prevention around the base of Rosa ‘Meizeli’ THE MCCARTNEY ROSE.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Late Winter/Early Spring preparation is critical for this Hybrid tea rose. This is the ideal time to perform the necessary severe pruning, cutting back canes based on your climate zone to encourage strong new growth. As new shoots emerge, begin a preventative spray schedule for common rose diseases if you have historically experienced black spot or mildew in your area.
Mid-Summer care should focus heavily on consistent water delivery and feeding, as the plant is producing flushes of fragrant blooms. Water deeply at the base in the morning, and deadhead spent flowers promptly to direct the plant’s energy back into producing flower buds rather than seeds. Apply a fresh layer of mulch if the base layer has broken down.
Late Autumn cleanup is essential for long-term health. Absolutely rake up and destroy all fallen leaves from around the base of Rosa ‘Meizeli’ THE MCCARTNEY ROSE to eliminate fungal spores that would otherwise overwinter. If you are in the upper edge of Zone 5, apply winter protection around the graft union before the ground freezes hard.
