Thierry Marx

Full description:

A rose named after Thierry Marx was never going to be ordinary. The celebrated French chef has built his reputation around precision, creativity and the transformation of familiar ingredients into something unexpected. The Delbard rose that carries his name follows much the same idea: recognisably romantic at first glance, but far more intriguing when you come closer.

Colour provides the first surprise. The densely filled flowers open with a concentrated centre of purple-pink and mauve, surrounded by progressively paler lilac-pink petals. Some outer petals can become remarkably light as the flower matures, creating a beautiful gradient from the darker heart towards the edges.

The flowers are approximately 8 cm across and contain a remarkable number of petals, forming deep, very full cups with the character of an old-fashioned rose. They may appear individually or in small clusters, standing clearly above the glossy dark-green foliage.

Then comes the fragrance—and this is where Thierry Marx becomes particularly memorable. Part of Delbard's Les Grands Parfums collection, the rose has a strong perfume built around classic rose and tea character, lifted by fresh lemongrass and vivid citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit.

It is a fragrance with contrast: floral yet fresh, rich yet bright. Plant Thierry Marx beside a path, terrace or seating area and there is good reason to stop rather than simply walk past.

The plant forms a vigorous but compact, upright shrub, typically reaching around 80–100 cm in height and 50–60 cm in width. Its large, glossy dark-green leaves provide a particularly effective background for the unusual lilac and mauve flowers, while good natural foliage health contributes to its garden performance.

Flowering repeats in successive flushes through summer and into autumn. Its manageable dimensions make it equally useful in a dedicated rose bed, mixed border, small group or large container, while the strongly scented flowers are particularly beautiful when cut for the house.

Thierry Marx is a rose of details: the dark centre becoming pale lilac at the edges, the densely layered petals and the unexpected freshness of citrus within its perfume. Like the chef whose name it carries, its character is revealed not by one ingredient, but by the way several distinctive elements come together.

Frequently asked questions:

Who bred the Thierry Marx rose?
Thierry Marx is a Delbard rose, not a Guillot variety. It was introduced by the French rose house Georges Delbard in 2019 and carries the variety code DELviopar.

Who is the rose named after?
It is named after Thierry Marx, the celebrated French chef known for combining technical precision with an innovative approach to cuisine.

What colour is Thierry Marx?
The flowers combine mauve, purple-pink and lilac-pink. The centre is generally deeper and more saturated, while the outer petals become progressively paler.

Does the flower colour change?
Yes. The balance between deeper mauve and softer lilac-pink changes as the flower develops and can also vary with weather and growing conditions.

How large are the flowers?
The blooms are approximately 8 cm across. They are very densely filled, so they have considerable visual presence despite the plant's relatively compact dimensions.

What shape are the flowers?
They are very full and deeply cupped, with the romantic appearance of an old-fashioned rose.

Is Thierry Marx strongly fragrant?
Yes. Fragrance is one of its defining qualities, and the variety belongs to Delbard's Les Grands Parfums collection.

What does Thierry Marx smell like?
Its strong rose and tea fragrance is lifted by particularly fresh citrus notes, including lemongrass, lemon and grapefruit.

Where should I plant it to enjoy the fragrance?
Plant it near a path, terrace, entrance or seating area where you can approach the flowers easily. Its complex perfume is best appreciated at close range.

Does Thierry Marx repeat flower?
Yes. It produces successive flushes through summer and into autumn, giving a much longer season of colour and fragrance than a once-flowering rose.

How large does the plant become?
Expect approximately 80–100 cm in height and around 50–60 cm in width once established, depending on climate and growing conditions.

Is Thierry Marx suitable for a small garden?
Yes. Its compact, upright growth makes it a useful choice when you want the flower and fragrance of a substantial rose without giving over a large amount of border space.

Can Thierry Marx be grown in a container?
Yes. Its compact habit makes it suitable for a large, deep container with excellent drainage. Regular watering and feeding are especially important when roses are grown in pots.

Is Thierry Marx disease resistant?
Delbard describes Thierry Marx as having very good disease resistance. Providing good air circulation, sun and appropriate watering will help the plant perform at its best.

Is Thierry Marx suitable for cutting?
Yes. The very full lilac-pink flowers make distinctive bouquets, and cutting them also allows the citrus-rich perfume to be appreciated indoors.

Which plants combine well with Thierry Marx?
Its mauve colouring works beautifully with white roses and perennials, soft pinks, silver foliage and deeper purple companions. Blue salvias and nepeta can create a particularly harmonious border.

What makes Thierry Marx different from other mauve roses?
It combines an unusual gradient from deep purple-pink to pale lilac with very full old-fashioned flowers and a strong perfume in which classic rose is sharpened by fresh lemongrass, lemon and grapefruit notes.

What does the rose look like on delivery?
Its appearance depends on the delivery season and natural stage of growth. For examples and explanations, see What roses look like on delivery →.

What should I do after planting?
Plant it in a sunny position, water thoroughly and keep the soil evenly moist while its roots establish. For detailed instructions, visit our complete planting guide →.