Nahema

Full Description:

Some roses are admired first for their flowers. Nahema is remembered first for its fragrance. Long before its elegant blooms come into view, its perfume announces its presence, filling the surrounding space with a richness that feels more like fine perfumery than a traditional garden rose.

Created by Georges Delbard and named after the iconic Guerlain perfume, Nahema was bred with fragrance as its defining purpose. Rather than simply carrying a pleasant scent, it was designed to evoke the complexity, elegance and emotional power associated with one of the world's great perfumes.

The large, deeply cupped flowers open in delicate shades of soft pink, their many petals arranged in a romantic old-rose form. The blooms appear repeatedly throughout the season, combining graceful beauty with one of the richest fragrances ever achieved in a climbing rose.

Nahema develops vigorous stems reaching approximately 2.5 to 3 metres, making it an outstanding choice for arches, pergolas, pillars, fences and sunny walls. As it matures, the flowering stems create a cascading effect that softens structures while surrounding them with perfume.

Its healthy, attractive foliage provides an elegant backdrop for the flowers and offers good resistance to disease. Because the blooms continue to appear from May until the first frost, the garden remains filled with both colour and fragrance for many months.

Nahema is also an excellent rose for cutting. Freshly picked flowers bring their remarkable perfume indoors, remaining attractive in a vase for approximately five days while filling a room with fragrance that rivals many luxury perfumes.

Its exceptional qualities have earned Nahema eight international distinctions, including prestigious fragrance awards in Monza (1997) and New Orleans (2003). These honours recognise what gardeners quickly discover for themselves: few climbing roses can match the emotional experience created by its extraordinary scent.

Nahema is not simply planted to cover a structure. It is planted to create an atmosphere—one where every walk through the garden becomes an invitation to slow down, breathe deeply and enjoy the rare luxury of a truly unforgettable fragrance.

Frequently asked questions:

Is Nahema really one of the most fragrant climbing roses?
Yes. Nahema has earned multiple international fragrance awards and is widely regarded as one of Delbard's finest scented roses. It was specifically bred with perfume as one of its defining characteristics.

Does it flower repeatedly?
Yes. Nahema produces successive flushes from May until the first frost, allowing both its flowers and fragrance to be enjoyed throughout the growing season.

How tall does Nahema grow?
It reaches approximately 2.5 to 3 metres when mature, making it ideal for arches, pergolas, walls, fences and other substantial climbing supports.

Does it need a support?
Yes. Like other climbing roses, Nahema should be tied to a trellis, arch, pergola or wires. Training the main stems horizontally or diagonally will encourage more flowering shoots along their length.

Where should I plant Nahema to enjoy the fragrance?
Position it close to a terrace, seating area, entrance or pathway where people naturally pass. A sheltered sunny location allows its remarkable perfume to be appreciated every day.

Can I cut the flowers for the house?
Absolutely. Nahema produces beautiful cut flowers that generally remain attractive for around five days while bringing their exceptional fragrance indoors.

Is Nahema difficult to grow?
No. Once established, it is a vigorous climber with attractive foliage and good disease resistance. Like all climbing roses, it benefits from annual pruning and regular tying-in of new stems.

Why has Nahema received so many awards?
Its international distinctions recognise the rare combination of outstanding fragrance, romantic flower form, repeat flowering and reliable garden performance—qualities that make it one of Delbard's most celebrated climbing roses.

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 beside a sturdy support in full sun, water thoroughly after planting and begin training the young stems as they grow. For detailed instructions, visit our complete planting guide →.