La Niña—Spanish for “the little girl”—is also the name of a significant climate pattern marked by unusually cool ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. In South Africa, La Niña events often bring rainier seasons and cooler weather. Given the profound influence of these phenomena, even on something as delicate as rose cultivation, we’ve named this extraordinary rose after it.

True to its name, La Niña showcases a “cool” and oceanic colour palette. The blooms are large and striking, with petals tightly packed into a deep cup that opens to reveal a quartered rosette form. The outer petals feature a unique green frill, transitioning into an off-white base infused with a lilac-pink sheen. At the heart of the flower, a captivating blend of pink and ocean-current blue-purple steals the show. True to its name in periods of very rainy weather, the huge blooms can be affected by Botrytis.

This variety grows vigorously, reaching heights of up to 2 metres. It flowers abundantly from top to bottom, and in many cases, the blooms are so heavy they arch the stems gracefully downward. La Niña is not just beautiful—it’s robust, healthy, and eco-chic, making it a standout specimen whether planted alone or as a focal feature.

The blooms are delightfully scented, adding to the rose’s pervasive charm and presence. A true statement piece in any garden