Almost-black eye
Very dense anthocyanin at the base absorbs more light and creates a visually black centre.
Rosa Babylon Eyes® 'Diva' 3lt
Normal price
€20,00
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Rosa ‘IPB135416’ Diva Babylon Eyes®
Dark red heart… because the drama should show on the petals 🎭
- Red-purple flowers
- Very dark basal eye
- Open single corolla
- Compact long flowering
Rosa ‘IPB135416’ Diva Babylon Eyes® is the most theatrical Babylon Eyes: red and purple petals converge on an exceptionally dark centre that appears almost black from a distance. The open single corolla keeps the pattern clear and lets the golden stamens act as a small spark of light. Its low compact crown repeats the flowers from early summer into autumn, creating intense colour without occupying a large space.
Show it against a calm pale background or beside airy white flowers, allowing the almost-black centre to remain the focal point rather than becoming another dark mass.
What makes it distinctive
Three elements define this exact cultivar’s form and presence.
Red-to-purple outer petal
Hue shifts with age, temperature and the acidity of cellular sap.
Open stamen disc
The single corolla exposes a bright ring of anthers immediately inside the dark blotch.
Why you will love it: because the almost-black eye occupies much of each red-purple petal, creating the most theatrical contrast in the series.
In the garden & on the terracePlacement & plant combinationsAllow 40–60 cm of width in full sun, with air around the low crown and fertile free-draining soil.
Ideal position
Allow 40–60 cm of width in full sun, with air around the low crown and fertile free-draining soil.
Compatible combinations
Keep the flower colour clear with blue, silver or yellow accents from plants sharing full sun, airflow and free-draining soil.
- Oenothera lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ — moving white flowers brighten the dark centre without repeating its pattern
- Dianthus ‘Kahori’ — low fine foliage and small pink flowers fill the front gaps
- Molinia caerulea ‘Moorhexe’ — fine dark stems create a vertical background that remains transparent
Care at a glance
Light
Full sun, ideally at least six hours, with air moving around the foliage.
Watering
Water deeply when the upper 3–4 cm have dried; avoid small daily amounts.
Climate & resilience
A hardy deciduous plant; protect the pot from prolonged hard frost and drying wind.
Safety
Not intended for eating. Wear gloves around prickly canes and keep treated plant parts away from children and animals.
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, watering, soil, feeding, pruning and problem prevention.
Position & light
Full sun, ideally at least six hours, with air moving around the foliage.
Watering & drainage
Water deeply when the upper 3–4 cm have dried; avoid small daily amounts.
Soil & repotting
Deep fertile but free-draining soil with organic matter and no standing water around roots.
Feeding
Balanced feed at growth onset and a second light application after the first flush, always on moist soil.
Pruning & habit
Prune in late winter according to the natural habit, removing dead, weak or crossing canes. Keep the low framework open with a few clean late-winter cuts and avoid dense shade from neighbouring plants.
Problem prevention
Water at the root, clear fallen leaves and inspect young shoots for aphids or fungal spotting.
Development through timeFrom establishment to mature habitFrom first establishment to the exact plant’s natural mature habit.
First season
From its first spring it forms a narrow cluster of short basal stems and single flowers on the youngest tips.
Establishment
Lateral branching increases the number of dark centres without opening the compact crown excessively.
Mature scale
At maturity it reaches 40–60 cm high and 40–50 cm wide, concentrating its intense red-purple colour within a small footprint.
Mature habit & dimensions
2–5 yearsHeight 40–60 cmWidth 40–50 cmnarrow compact rounded deciduous shrub
The deciduous shrub settles at 40–60 cm high and 40–50 cm wide without losing its natural branching.
Form through time
Seasonal cycleSeasonally changing crownnarrow compact rounded deciduous shrubTwo truthful states
Early summer–autumnSingle red-purple flowers with almost-black centres open in repeated flushes.
WinterThe deciduous crown clears, leaving a narrow low framework ready for basal renewal.
Both drawings show the same natural architecture as foliage, flowers and active growth change.
What to expect after planting: Plant it without tall growth in front; the low crown needs a clear sightline for the almost-black eyes to read properly.
History & originCultivar originThe documented history of the exact cultivar and the limits of what is known.
‘IPB135416’ was bred by Interplant Roses in the Netherlands and released as Diva Babylon Eyes®; it also appears under the trade name Devil.
It belongs to the Babylon Eyes Roses group and was selected for red-purple flowers, a very dark basal eye, single corollas and compact repeat flowering. Interplant has not published the exact cross or original selection year for ‘IPB135416’.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical detail for anyone who wants to know what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Almost black does not mean black pigment
The centre contains an exceptionally high concentration of red and purple anthocyanins; light absorption makes it appear black.
Acidity changes anthocyanin hue
Vacuolar pH and pigment association with other molecules can shift the same pigment family from red towards purple.
Frequently asked questions
Six practical answers covering position, water, seasonality, pruning, mature scale and safety.
01How much light does it need?
Full sun, ideally at least six hours, with air moving around the foliage.
02When should it be watered?
Water deeply when the upper 3–4 cm have dried; avoid small daily amounts.
03Can it stay permanently in a pot?
Yes; a sunny 35–40 cm pot with airflow around the narrow crown displays the colour and makes deep watering straightforward.
04When and how should it be pruned?
Prune in late winter according to the natural habit, removing dead, weak or crossing canes.
05How large does it become?
At maturity it reaches about 40–60 cm high and 40–50 cm wide, with a natural narrow compact rounded deciduous shrub.
06Is it safe to eat or for pets?
Not intended for eating. Wear gloves around prickly canes and keep treated plant parts away from children and animals.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.