ALEC'S RED™ – red hybrid tea rose – Cocker
Imagine late afternoon seabreeze, a sheltered cup of tea on your veranda and the rich perfume of ALEC'S RED™ drifting over shingle and gravel, its velvety red blooms bringing classic elegance to a compact coastal garden. This strongly scented hybrid tea offers impressive longevity as an own-root shrub, growing steadily from establishing roots, to building shoots, to full ornamental value by its third season. In a well-drained spot that copes calmly with frequent wind and salt-laden air, it develops into a sturdy, upright presence that is easy to live with and simple to prune. Large, exhibition-quality flowers repeat through summer, so even a single plant in a generous container becomes a striking focal point for relaxed evenings, while the medium maintenance needs suit busy beginners who still want something truly special.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Coastal veranda in a large container |
ALEC'S RED™ grows upright and compact enough for a generous pot, giving you large, showy blooms right where you sit and relax. Use a frost-proof container of at least 40–50 litres so the root system anchors well and supports reliable flowering for many years – ideal for the coastal-style balcony owner audience |
| Wind-sheltered seating corner |
The classic hybrid tea form produces XL, high-centred flowers whose strong fragrance is best appreciated in a semi-enclosed nook. Plant near a bench or windbreak so the garden-filling scent collects around the sitting area, mirroring a quiet coastal tea corner for the fragrance-loving homeowner audience |
| Small family front garden focal point |
Its upright habit and 80–110 cm height make it easy to position as a single statement rose beside a path or doorway. The velvety cherry-red colour reads clearly from a distance, adding structure without overwhelming a modest plot – perfect for style-conscious small-garden owners audience |
| Mixed border with perennials |
Medium maintenance and moderate disease resistance suit mixed planting, where good air movement and partner plants help keep foliage presentable. Underplant with Heuchera or blue Festuca to highlight the red blooms in a relaxed, nature-friendly scheme for informal family borders audience |
| Cutting bed for home bouquets |
Originally bred as an exhibition hybrid tea, it offers long-stemmed, solitary, high-centred flowers that cut beautifully for the vase. The very strong, classic rose fragrance translates indoors, so a single shrub can provide many richly scented, cherry-red arrangements for home floristry enthusiasts audience |
| Shingle or gravel strip by a sunny wall |
In a free-draining, stony strip, the own-root plant establishes gradually into a long-lived framework that copes well with blustery, exposed conditions often found near the coast, provided watering is consistent in dry spells – well suited to low-fuss, coastal garden beginners audience |
| Seasonal highlight near terrace steps |
The remontant habit with an abundant second flush gives repeated waves of colour through summer and into early autumn. Positioned by steps, each flowering cycle becomes a visible seasonal marker as you move between house and garden, suiting detail-orientated yet time-poor gardeners audience |
| Long-term feature in a family garden plan |
As an own-root rose it can regenerate from the base, avoiding graft-related problems and supporting a long lifespan, so it fits well into a three-year garden plan where you allow it to settle, then gradually build structure and flowering impact for forward-planning householders audience |
Styling ideas
- Harbour-Veranda – Place ALEC'S RED™ in a 50–60 litre clay pot by a whitewashed wall, adding sea kale and blue Festuca for a breezy harbour feel – for coastal veranda owners seeking low-fuss romance
- Tea-Terrace – Flank a small bistro set with two shrubs in matching containers so their scent pools around the seating area – for those who enjoy slow weekend tea outdoors
- Raspberry-Ridge – Mulch a shingle strip and pair the cherry-red blooms with silver Artemisia to echo pebbles and sea spray – for gardeners creating a modern, gravel-based coastal look
- Perfumed-Path – Plant along a short path with Heuchera and lavender at the feet, so each pass brings a waft of fragrance and rich colour contrast – for families wanting everyday sensory interest
- Showpiece-Cutting – Dedicate a sunny corner bed to several bushes spaced for air flow, giving a steady supply of long-stemmed, exhibition-quality flowers – for home florists and bouquet makers
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose; registered as CORed, marketed as ALEC'S RED™ Hybrid tea rose CORed; ARS exhibition name Alec’s Red; named by breeder after himself. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alexander M. Cocker in Scotland before 1969 from ‘Fragrant Cloud’ × ‘Dame de Cœur’; introduced by James Cocker & Sons Ltd. in 1970 for garden and exhibition use. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated: Henry Edland Memorial Fragrance Medal 1969, RNRS Gold Medal and President's International Trophy 1970, Belfast R. J. Frizzell fragrance award 1972, ADR certificate Germany 1973. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright bush 80–110 cm tall, 50–70 cm spread, moderately thorny with slightly glossy dark green foliage; spent blooms persist, so occasional deadheading improves appearance and encourages repeat flushes. |
| Flower morphology |
Very large, double, solitary blooms with 26–39 petals; cupped and high-centred exhibition form; remontant with generous second flowering, ideal for cutting and highlight positions near paths or terraces. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Uniform velvety cherry red, ARS dr, RHS 53A–53B; buds burgundy, opening carmine then softening slightly to raspberry tones; good colour retention, only mildly lightening in strong sun, deeper in cooler spells. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, garden-filling perfume with a rich, classic rose character; double flowers partly obscure stamens, so it is chosen primarily for scent and display rather than high pollinator support value. |
| Hip characteristics |
Forms few hips; ovoid, red-orange, around 10–14 mm long; decorative but not a main feature, usually reduced further if deadheading is practised to extend flowering into late season. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −26 to −23 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 4, USDA 5b); medium resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust; prefers regular watering and care in prolonged heat or drought. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to borders, containers, specimens and cutting; plant 45–85 cm apart depending on effect; thrives in full sun or light partial shade with good drainage, seasonal feeding and moderate plant protection. |
ALEC'S RED™ offers richly scented, exhibition-quality red blooms, repeat flowering and a long-lived, regenerating own-root framework that rewards patient gardeners seeking a reliable coastal-style feature rose; consider it carefully for your next planting decision.
