Romantica Rose 'Rouge Royale': Meilland's Red Majesty

Introduced in 2001 by Meilland, 'Rouge Royale' (PP14039, also known as MEIkarouz, Alain Souchon, Caruso, Father's Love, Valentina Casucci) is a Romantica/hybrid tea/shrub that commands attention with its deep, velvety red blooms and powerful fragrance. The multiple names reflect its international marketing—each a different facet of its royal personality.

Botanical Profile

The flowers are large, deeply cupped and quartered, a saturated crimson-red with a velvety texture. The fragrance is strong and complex—old rose, damask, and spice. The plant is versatile: grown as a shrub it reaches 4-5 feet; as a hybrid tea it produces long cutting stems; as a Romantica it offers antique form with modern vigor. The foliage is large, leathery, dark green. Meilland's Romantica line targets the gardener who wants it all: fragrance, form, color, and health. 'Rouge Royale' delivers a red kingdom in a single plant.