Guillot N°1

Full description:

Every great rose house has moments when history begins again. For Guillot, one of those moments came with Guillot N°1: the very first rose created by its new SIRPHE breeding team after years of research, selection and testing.

The name could hardly be more appropriate. Guillot N°1 is not an attempt to imitate the past, but to carry it forward. Its romantic flowers have the rounded, generous character associated with old French roses, while the plant itself was selected for exactly what modern gardeners increasingly value: exceptional health, generous flowering and straightforward garden performance.

The blooms open in soft pearly pink, sometimes becoming slightly deeper in colour as the season progresses. At first they have an almost globular shape, then gradually open into a more quartered form, allowing the flower to change character as it matures.

Its fragrance is refined rather than overpowering. Delicate myrrh notes are joined by a subtle peppery character at the base of the perfume, recalling the distinctive scents often associated with historic roses.

Flowering continues generously from May until November. New clusters repeatedly replace older blooms, while the spent petals fall naturally, helping the shrub retain a fresh and attractive appearance throughout the season.

The plant develops an upright, balanced form around 1.1 m tall and approximately 1 m wide. Dense dark-green foliage remains exceptionally healthy, giving Guillot N°1 one of its greatest practical advantages: outstanding resistance to common rose diseases.

Its combination of romance and reliability quickly attracted attention beyond the Guillot nursery. In 2020, gardeners themselves chose it for the Public Prize at the prestigious Bagatelle rose competition in Paris.

Guillot N°1 therefore represents more than a beautiful pink rose. It is the first page of a new breeding story—one that respects nearly two centuries of French rose tradition while looking confidently towards the gardens of the future.

Frequently asked questions:

Why is this rose called Guillot N°1?
It was the first rose created by SIRPHE, the breeding team established to develop a new generation of French roses for Guillot. The name marks the beginning of this new chapter in the nursery's long breeding history.

Is Guillot N°1 the first rose ever created by the Guillot family?
No. Guillot has been creating roses since the nineteenth century. Guillot N°1 specifically represents the first creation of the modern SIRPHE breeding team.

What colour are Guillot N°1 flowers?
The blooms are a soft pearly light pink. They may take on slightly stronger pink tones later in the growing season, particularly as temperatures change.

What shape are the flowers?
The buds and young flowers are rounded and globular. As they open, they develop a more quartered, old-fashioned form, giving the same bloom a changing appearance over time.

How large are the flowers?
Individual blooms measure approximately 8 cm. They are carried in clusters, so their overall garden impact is greater than their individual diameter might suggest.

How fragrant is Guillot N°1?
The perfume is delicate and refined rather than extremely powerful. Its character combines light myrrh notes with a subtle peppery base reminiscent of traditional old roses.

Does Guillot N°1 flower repeatedly?
Yes. It is very repeat flowering, producing successive clusters from May until November and providing a long season of garden interest.

Does the plant stay tidy after flowering?
One attractive characteristic is that mature blooms naturally shed their petals rather than remaining unattractively dried on the plant. This helps the shrub retain a fresher appearance between flowering flushes.

How tall and wide does Guillot N°1 grow?
It reaches approximately 1.1 m in height and around 1 m in width, forming a substantial but well-balanced shrub.

Is Guillot N°1 resistant to disease?
Yes. Exceptional disease resistance is one of the variety's defining qualities. Guillot specifically selected it for extremely healthy foliage and ease of cultivation.

Is Guillot N°1 suitable for beginners?
Yes. Its outstanding disease resistance, balanced habit and generous repeat flowering make it especially reassuring for gardeners who want beautiful results without choosing a difficult rose.

Where should I plant Guillot N°1?
Choose a sunny position with fertile, well-drained soil. It works well as an individual specimen, in a rose bed, as part of a group or in a generous mixed border.

Can Guillot N°1 be grown in a container?
Yes. Guillot recommends it for large containers. Use a deep pot with excellent drainage and provide regular watering and feeding throughout the active growing season.

Can Guillot N°1 be used for bouquets?
Yes. The pearly pink clustered flowers have good vase performance and create soft, romantic bouquets with an elegant French-garden character.

Why did Guillot N°1 win the Public Prize at Bagatelle?
The award was decided by visitors to the prestigious Bagatelle rose competition in Paris. Its combination of romantic flowers, healthy foliage, generous flowering and overall garden appeal clearly resonated with the public.

Which plants combine well with Guillot N°1?
Lavender, nepeta, blue salvia, white perennials and silver foliage complement its pearly pink flowers beautifully. Deeper pink or burgundy companions create a more dramatic contrast.

What makes Guillot N°1 different from other pink roses?
It combines romantic old-rose flower form with exceptional modern disease resistance, very generous repeat flowering and the historic significance of being the first creation of Guillot's new SIRPHE breeding programme.

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 full sun, water thoroughly and keep the soil evenly moist while the roots establish. For detailed instructions, visit our complete planting guide →.