ALSACE – red landscape shrub rose - Pekmez
Imagine sipping tea behind a low rose windbreak after a salty coastal walk, as Alsace settles calmly into your family garden with ease. This compact landscape shrub is ideal for small, sunny borders and verandas where space is tight but colour matters, giving you a neat, bushy outline that is simple to manage and naturally anchored even in breezy, exposed corners near the sea. Its single, cup-shaped flowers open in vivid ruby red and soften through warm raspberry tones, creating a constant ripple of movement in the border from summer into autumn. Petals drop away cleanly, keeping the plant looking fresh with little tidying, while open centres invite bees and other pollinators for a subtly lively feel. In its own-root form it knits into the soil step by step – roots first, then stronger shoots, then full ornamental presence over about three years – rewarding your patience with quietly dependable longevity.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Sunny coastal veranda in containers |
Compact, bushy growth makes Alsace easy to keep in shape on a veranda, while its steady flowering gives colour for much of the season in a small footprint; choose a 40–50 litre container so the own-root plant can establish a durable framework for beginners. |
| Low, informal garden windbreak |
The even, bushy structure forms a low visual filter for windy spots, softening views without feeling heavy; as an own-root shrub it thickens gradually and re-sprouts well after pruning, suiting those who want a forgiving, quietly reliable screen on exposed plots. |
| Pollinator-friendly front garden bed |
Single, cup-shaped flowers with open centres are easy for bees to access, and the regular flushes of bloom keep pollen available over a long season, while the modest height works neatly along drives and paths for environmentally minded householders. |
| Family garden edging and border line |
The moderate height and similar spread create a low, continuous edging that is simple to read and easy to trim, and own-root vigour helps gaps to fill over time, supporting those who prefer a tidy outline without frequent replanting. |
| Coastal-style mixed bed with grasses |
Ruby-red flowers stand out against sea kale, Festuca and Lavandula, echoing shingle and shore colours; its bushy habit anchors the planting visually while own-root resilience supports a stable look for gardeners who favour relaxed, seaside-inspired schemes. |
| Urban courtyard feature shrub |
The dark, slightly glossy foliage and glowing red blooms give strong colour even in compact city plots, and because the plant is not overly tall it fits under windows or near seating, appealing to space-conscious urban owners. |
| Small hedge or divider in family gardens |
Regular spacing at 55–65 cm creates a coherent low hedge that marks out play areas or paths without becoming imposing; own-root durability allows sections to recover if damaged, useful for households needing practical, forgiving structure. |
| Low-maintenance, long-term planting scheme |
Once settled, the shrub maintains a stable outline and repeated flowering year after year, allowing you to plan beds that change little while still feeling lively across the season, well suited to busy homeowners who prefer to plant once and enjoy. |
Styling ideas
- Veranda Calm – pair Alsace in a 50-litre tub with blue Festuca and a pale timber bench for a breezy, seaside feel – ideal for coastal veranda owners who want colour without clutter.
- Shingle Ribbon – line a gravel path with evenly spaced Alsace and low sea kale to echo a Cornish beachscape – suited to gardeners seeking a relaxed, coastal-edge look.
- Ruby Drift – weave small groups of Alsace through a bed of Lavandula and meadow sage for red-and-violet summer waves – perfect for those who like soft movement and long-season flowers.
- Family Frame – use Alsace as a low hedge around a lawn or play corner, with simple turf and a few pots for accents – good for families wanting gentle structure without heavy pruning.
- Courtroom – set a single Alsace in a large pot by a front door, underplanted with small scabious, to greet visitors with subtle colour and pollinator activity – appealing to busy homeowners looking for one easy focal point.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Modern landscape shrub rose, registered as PEKtarampe, marketed as Alsace (NIRPAYSAGE collection); shrub rose for beds and mass planting, ARS exhibition name Alsace. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Paul Pekmez for NIRP International in France; parentage unknown. Registered and first distributed in 1992 as a robust, colourful landscape shrub for professional and private plantings. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, dense habit reaching about 85–115 cm in height and spread; moderately thorny stems with dark green, slightly glossy foliage that clothes the plant well and supports a compact, rounded outline. |
| Flower morphology |
Single to semi-double, cup-shaped blooms with 5–12 petals, small size but produced in clusters; remontant with abundant second flush, self-cleaning spent petals, maintaining a neat overall look with limited deadheading. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Pure ruby-red flowers (RHS 46A outer, 46B inner) opening vivid and glowing, then mellowing through medium red to warm raspberry tones; very good colour retention, with an extended flowering season in repeated waves. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very weak, barely perceptible floral scent; grown primarily for colour effect and landscape value rather than fragrance, making it suitable where strong perfume is not desired near seating or windows. |
| Hip characteristics |
Rose hips form only sparsely; small, spherical red fruits around 8–12 mm when present, contributing little to visual effect, so the plant remains focused on foliage and blossom display. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish Zone 3); requires regular protection against black spot, powdery mildew and rust, especially in damp seasons or crowded plantings. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with reasonable air movement and well-drained soil; allow 55–100 cm spacing depending on use, water in prolonged drought, and apply consistent disease management as part of routine care. |
ALSACE – red landscape shrub rose - Pekmez offers compact, long-season colour, pollinator-friendly single blooms and a stable own-root framework for years of quiet enjoyment, making it a thoughtful choice for relaxed, coastal-inspired gardens.
