ILE ROUGE – dark red floribunda bedding rose - Delbard
Imagine a sheltered coastal veranda, where sunlight glows through deep ruby petals and mid‑green foliage offers a gentle windbreak while you unwind after a day of collecting seashells. ILE ROUGE forms a compact, bushy shrub that anchors well in breezy conditions and copes reliably where soils need careful drainage. Planted in a generous container of at least 40–50 litres or a narrow shingle border, this floribunda gives clusters of very double blooms in a rich, dark red that fades only slightly to deep burgundy with a blackish centre. The own‑root form settles in steadily for long service: first establishing roots, then building shoots, and by the third year reaching full ornamental value with minimal extra work for the busy coastal gardener.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Coastal veranda container (40–50 L) |
A single ILE ROUGE in a 40–50 litre pot becomes a stable, long‑term feature, its bushy structure and dense foliage suiting breezier spots while the own‑root system quietly renews itself for many seasons for the time‑pressed veranda‑owner. |
| Small family front garden focal point |
Planted as a specimen at around 75 cm from paths or drives, the compact height and medium spread create a clear, upright accent of deep red colour without obstructing movement, ideal for modest UK front plots and busy homeowners. |
| Coastal-style shingle bed |
In a well‑drained shingle or gravel bed, the bushy habit and reliable rebloom give structure and colour between drought‑tolerant perennials, while good anchorage helps it stand firm through blustery, salty, sunny days for coastal‑inspired gardeners. |
| Low seasonal hedge along a terrace |
At 40 cm spacing, ILE ROUGE forms a low, informal line of dense foliage and dark red clusters, gently filtering wind around patios without creating a heavy wall, suiting families wanting subtle separation rather than solid fencing users. |
| Bedding groups in family back gardens |
Square or hexagonal planting at the suggested densities creates a continuous block of colour, with remontant flushes giving long seasonal interest; once rooted, the own‑root plants keep performance steady year after year for bedding‑focused gardeners. |
| Mixed border with silver and blue companions |
Clustered, medium‑sized dark red blooms stand out against sea kale, lamb’s ear or blue ornamental grasses, building classic coastal contrast and extending interest as foliage and texture carry the display for design‑minded coastal‑lovers. |
| Wildlife-friendly structural backdrop |
Although highly double flowers offer limited pollen, the dense mid‑green foliage and occasional small hips give shelter and modest food, supporting a layered habitat in longer‑term planting plans appreciated by nature‑aware families. |
| Long-term, low-fuss rose investment |
With hardy top growth, own‑root resilience and medium disease resistance, this shrub suits gardeners looking for a rose that, once established, needs only basic care while offering dependable colour through many UK seasons for relaxed beginners. |
Styling ideas
- Harbour-Veranda Pot – Place one ILE ROUGE in a 50 litre clay pot, with gravel mulch and a low bench behind it, to echo harbour walls and sunset skies – ideal for coastal veranda owners.
- Ruby-Shingle Ribbon – Thread a short row through a shingle strip, interplanting with sea kale and Festuca to create a soft, wind‑tolerant red-and-silver ribbon – suited to small coastal gardens.
- Shell-Garden Focus – Use a single specimen near a path, edged with shells and lady’s mantle, for a simple focal point that looks good from the kitchen window – perfect for busy families.
- Evening-Tea Border – Combine ILE ROUGE with lavender and lamb’s ear beside a terrace, letting foliage and texture frame a sheltered seating area – for those who enjoy quiet outdoor evenings.
- Long-View Bedding – Plant a rectangular block at bedding density, relying on its remontant clusters and hardy framework to deliver colour structure for years – appealing to low‑maintenance planners.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bed rose from the Bedding rose collection; registered as DELpablan, marketed as ILE ROUGE – dark red floribunda bedding rose - Delbard; ARS exhibition name Delpablan. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Georges Delbard, Pépinières et Roseraies Georges Delbard, France; introduced and registered in 2007, with breeding completed in France in the same year; parentage officially undocumented. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, upright shrub reaching approximately 110–150 cm in height and 40–60 cm spread; dense, slightly glossy mid‑green foliage; moderately thorny stems; suitable for hedging, bedding and standalone use. |
| Flower morphology |
Medium, 1.5–2.75 inch, very double, cup‑shaped blooms with over 40 petals; borne mostly in clusters; remontant flowering with particularly abundant second flush, providing prolonged seasonal interest outdoors. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep dark red with a blackish tinge; RHS 187A outer, 187B inner; buds dark ruby with blackish cast; slight fading from dark red to deep burgundy with brownish tones; excellent colour retention in garden conditions. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very weak fragrance with a classic rose character; scent generally barely noticeable in normal garden use, so selection is primarily for visual effect rather than olfactory impact in seating or entrance areas. |
| Hip characteristics |
Due to very double flowers, hip set is limited; occasional small spherical orange‑red hips, around 7–10 mm across, may appear, offering modest seasonal interest without significant self‑seeding concerns. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated H7, hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C, equivalent to USDA zone 6b and Swedish zone 3; medium resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust, benefitting from standard preventative care in wet seasons. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers sunny sites with free‑draining soil; moderate maintenance, occasionally needing plant protection; spacing 45 cm for bedding, 40 cm for hedging, 75 cm as specimen; recommended densities 4.9–5.7 plants per square metre. |
ILE ROUGE gives compact, long-lived dark red clusters with dense foliage, performs reliably in containers, and as an own-root rose it offers steady renewal and low-fuss longevity worth considering for your coastal or family garden.
