Bienvenue

Full description:

Some rose names seem made for the place where the plant belongs. Bienvenue means “welcome” in French, and few roses could be more naturally suited to greeting you at a garden gate, climbing beside a doorway or spilling flowers around an arch you walk beneath every day.

Created by the French house Delbard, Bienvenue combines the romance of an old rose with the usefulness of a modern repeat-flowering climber. Its large, delicate pink flowers open into deep, generously filled cups, their silky petals softly ruffled rather than perfectly arranged. The effect is relaxed, romantic and unmistakably French.

The flowers reach approximately 12 cm and are often carried in small clusters of three to five blooms. Against the dense, dark-green foliage, their softer colouring stands out beautifully without becoming overpowering.

But Bienvenue reveals its real personality when you come closer. Its perfume is intense and unusually complex: fresh lemon and aromatic basil appear first, followed by the rich scent of rose, while a green note reminiscent of ivy gives the fragrance its distinctive finish.

That perfume has been recognised internationally. Bienvenue received a fragrance award at the Monza Rose Trials and was later named Most Fragrant Rose at the Gifu Rose Trials in Japan, where it also received a Bronze Medal.

The plant is vigorous and upright, reaching approximately 1.5–2 m under typical garden conditions. Its long stems can be trained against a wall or fence, around a pillar or over an arch or pergola. Delbard recommends bending and tying the stems progressively as they grow, which encourages a fuller flowering display along the trained branches.

Bienvenue repeats its flowering through the season and combines its vigorous growth with very good disease resistance and winter hardiness to approximately −20°C. The blooms are also beautiful for cutting, allowing that remarkable perfume to follow you indoors.

Plant Bienvenue where its name can become part of the garden itself: beside the entrance you come home through, around the arch that leads into another part of the garden, or near the terrace where friends gather. With pink flowers overhead and fragrance in the air, “welcome” becomes more than its name—it becomes the atmosphere it creates.

Frequently asked questions:

What does Bienvenue mean?
“Bienvenue” means “welcome” in French. It is an especially fitting name for a climbing rose planted around an entrance, gate or arch, where its flowers can create a beautiful first impression.

Is Bienvenue a climbing rose?
Yes. Delbard classifies Bienvenue as a climbing rose. Its long, vigorous stems can be trained onto walls, fences, arches, pergolas, pillars and other garden supports.

How tall does Bienvenue grow?
Delbard gives a typical mature height of approximately 1.5–2 m. Growth can vary with climate, soil, pruning and growing conditions.

Does Bienvenue need support?
Yes. Although the plant produces vigorous stems, climbing roses do not attach themselves to structures. Tie the stems securely to wires, trellis or another suitable support as they grow.

How should I train Bienvenue?
Rather than allowing every stem to grow vertically, gently fan or arch the flexible main stems across the support. This helps create a broader framework and can encourage flowering along more of each stem.

What do Bienvenue's flowers look like?
The large pink flowers have a romantic old-fashioned appearance, with many silky, softly ruffled petals forming deep, generous cups.

How large are the flowers?
The blooms are large, typically around 12 cm across, and are often carried in small clusters of approximately three to five flowers.

Is Bienvenue strongly fragrant?
Yes. Fragrance is one of the variety's defining qualities, and its perfume has received recognition at international rose trials.

What does Bienvenue smell like?
The fragrance is unusually layered. Fresh lemon and basil appear first, followed by an intense rose character and a green ivy note at the base.

Where should I plant Bienvenue to enjoy its fragrance?
An arch, entrance, terrace wall or fence beside a frequently used path is ideal. Positioning the rose where you naturally walk past it allows its perfume to become part of everyday garden life.

Does Bienvenue repeat flower?
Yes. Bienvenue is repeat flowering, producing successive flushes rather than giving only one display each year.

Is Bienvenue resistant to disease?
Yes. Delbard rates the variety as having very good disease resistance, an important advantage for a climbing rose that may eventually cover a substantial structure.

Is Bienvenue winter hardy?
Delbard lists the variety as hardy to approximately −20°C. Local conditions, exposure and winter protection can still influence performance, particularly when grown in containers.

Can Bienvenue grow in a large container?
It can be grown in a sufficiently large, deep container provided it has a strong permanent support, excellent drainage and consistent watering and feeding. For long-term performance, planting in the ground is generally easier for a vigorous climber.

Can I cut Bienvenue for a vase?
Yes. Its large romantic flowers are suitable for cutting, and bringing a few stems indoors is one of the best ways to appreciate its complex fragrance at close range.

Which plants combine well with Bienvenue?
Clematis in violet, purple or deep burgundy can create beautiful contrast on a nearby support. At ground level, lavender, nepeta, salvia and white-flowering perennials complement its delicate pink flowers.

What awards has Bienvenue received?
Its fragrance received recognition at the Monza Rose Trials, and Bienvenue later won the Most Fragrant Rose award and a Bronze Medal at the Gifu Rose Trials in Japan.

What makes Bienvenue special?
Few climbing roses combine such a fitting name with such a complete garden experience: large ruffled pink flowers, an unusual award-winning fragrance, repeat flowering, vigorous growth and very good disease resistance.

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 begin training the main stems towards the support as they develop. For detailed instructions, visit our complete planting guide →.