What defines the House of Meilland’s approach to rose breeding?

The House of Meilland combines long-standing breeding knowledge with a forward-looking focus on how people live, garden, and grow today.

Why does adapting roses to modern lifestyles matter?

Smaller gardens, terraces, and balconies require varieties that perform well in limited space while remaining easy to grow and visually strong.

How does Meilland balance heritage with innovation?

Heritage provides the foundation, while continuous testing, market dialogue, and global trials ensure new varieties remain relevant and reliable.

What role do professional partnerships play in Meilland’s work?

Ongoing collaboration with growers, retailers, and partners worldwide helps guide breeding priorities and refine future introductions.

House of Meilland, a Global Reference Built on Heritage and Innovation

For more than six generations, the House of Meilland has shaped the way the world experiences roses. Founded in 1850, the family-run breeder continues to stand as a global reference, not only because of its heritage, but because of its ability to evolve with the way people live, garden, and grow. They are bringing this vibe and touch to IPM Essen 2026

“Each year at the IPM Essen and other shows, our objective is to reinforce Meilland’s position as a global reference in rose breeding and innovation,” says Olivia, Marketing and Development Manager at Meilland. “It is a moment to meet long-standing partners, connect with new ones, and exchange with professionals about how the market is evolving.”

For Meilland, these conversations are essential. They inform breeding direction, guide product positioning, and ensure that innovation remains connected to real market needs, from garden centers and growers to florists and end consumers.

An Immersive Presence at IPM Essen

At IPM Essen, the Meilland stand is designed as an immersive expression of the brand’s heritage and future vision. Rather than functioning as a traditional product display, it tells the story of the House of Meilland. From its six-generation legacy dating back to 1850 to its ongoing commitment to quality, protection of varieties, and innovation.

“Our stand is designed to engage visitors in the story of the House of Meilland,” Olivia explains. “It reflects our savoir faire, our passion for roses, and our vision for how roses fit into modern lifestyles.”

Visitors will encounter a carefully curated selection of garden and cut roses, with a strong emphasis on varieties adapted to contemporary growing conditions and new uses. Compact growth, strong resistance, generous flowering, and long performance periods define the presentation.

Showcasing Roses for Modern Lifestyles

A key focus at IPM Essen is Meilland's approach to breeding roses for small spaces, balconies, terraces, and urban gardens. These criteria are increasingly important for today’s consumers, and Meilland has placed them at the centre of its recent breeding work.

Among the highlights is the Galaxy® range, a new generation of mini roses developed to deliver a strong visual impact in compact environments. With thousands of small flowers and a naturally well-balanced habit, Galaxy® varieties offer long lasting presence from spring until the first frosts. The collection includes Antares, Vega, Naos, and Arcturus, designed to be combined to create cohesive visual compositions.

Galaxy Meilland Richardier on terrace — *Galaxy® Meilland Richardier*

Another key introduction presented at IPM Essen is the new pink addition to the Zepeti® family. Zepeti® Pink Glow combines continuous flowering with exceptional tolerance to fungal diseases, heat, and frost. Its compact form allows it to perform equally well in pots or planted into garden settings.

ZEPETI Pink Glow Meissoniet — *Zepeti® Pink Glow Meissoniet*

Also featured is Sugar Candy Rose® Meiconfiz, a compact variety developed to bring strong colour impact across the season. Its resistance, bushy habit, and adaptability to small spaces reflect Meilland’s focus on performance without complexity.

Innovation and Durability as a Long-Term Commitment

At IPM Essen, Meilland also highlights its broader breeding direction for 2026 and beyond. Innovation is driven by changing lifestyles, biodiversity, resistance, fragrance, drought tolerance, and new growing methods such as short-cycle roses, budding, and cuttings.

“We are reinforcing our work on durability and no-spray roses,” says Olivia. “Extensive trials around the world ensure our varieties remain reliable and easy to grow in a wide range of conditions.”

This long-term perspective allows Meilland to anticipate how people will interact with roses in the future, ensuring that new introductions remain relevant across markets and climates.

IPM Essen as a Strategic Anchor for Global Growth

For Meilland, IPM Essen is not a standalone event but a strategic anchor within its global business. It is where partnerships are strengthened, feedback is gathered, and future priorities are aligned.

By participating each year, Meilland reinforces its international presence while maintaining a close connection with the professionals who shape the market.

As the House of Meilland looks ahead through 2026, its focus remains clear. To continue refining its assortment, introducing roses adapted to modern living, and ensuring that each new variety carries the signature of a house that has shaped rose breeding for generations.