INGRID BERGMAN™ – dark red hybrid tea rose
Bring a touch of classic glamour to a small coastal garden or veranda with Ingrid Bergman™, a compact hybrid tea rose whose velvety dark-red flowers shine even on breezy days. In a sheltered, sunny nook it copes calmly with blustery, sea‑air conditions, giving you a reliable backdrop for relaxed afternoon tea. Large, high‑centred blooms on upright stems provide perfect structure in pots or narrow beds, while its good heat tolerance helps it hold colour during warm, bright spells. As an own‑root plant it offers reassuring long‑term stability, quietly rebuilding from the base if weather or pruning are less than perfect. Think in simple stages – year one for roots, year two for shoots, year three for the full rich display – so you can enjoy steady progress without complicated gardening tasks.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Coastal veranda in large containers |
The compact, upright habit makes it easy to manage in a 40–50 litre pot on a sheltered balcony or veranda, while the dark red flowers create a striking focal point against pale walls and decking for coastal-style beginners. |
| Small family front garden feature |
Its refined, high-centred blooms stand out as a single specimen near the front door or along a path, giving a sense of formality without needing complex pruning, particularly appealing for busy urban homeowners. |
| Sunny seating corner wind-baffled by planting |
The dense foliage and upright growth help form a light visual screen beside a bench, softening wind and framing the view, ideal for relaxed tea-drinkers who want structure without heavy maintenance. |
| Cutting patch for home-grown bouquets |
Long, straight stems and exhibition-style flowers suit simple, repeatable cutting for vases, allowing you to enjoy classic dark red roses indoors as well as outside, attractive for hobby gardeners who like home décor. |
| Heat-exposed terrace bed |
Good tolerance of summer warmth and sunlight means the flowers keep their strong colour with minimal fading, maintaining a smart look through hot spells for gardeners in sunnier, more exposed suburban plots. |
| Structured planting with grasses and perennials |
The clear vertical outline pairs well with low mounds of sea kale, Festuca and Lavandula, creating simple layers that stay readable in windy, coastal-style schemes where straightforward, easy-to-read planting is valued. |
| Long-term own-root rose investment |
As an own-root rose it can regenerate from the base if stems are damaged by weather or pruning, offering a reassuringly long garden life and stable performance for those seeking enduring planting rather than short-lived impact. |
| Well-drained coastal clay border |
Planted into improved, free-draining clay it establishes a firm root system that anchors the plant securely while coping with brisk sea breezes and occasional salt-laden air, suiting coastal family gardens wanting resilient structure. |
Styling ideas
- Harbour-Veranda Classic – one Ingrid Bergman™ in a tall 50–60 litre container with silvered decking, lanterns and a bistro set – ideal for coastal veranda owners who want an easy focal rose.
- Sea-Breeze Border – plant in a narrow bed with Festuca, Lavandula and pale gravel mulch – suited to beginners wanting a simple, structured coastal look along a sunny path.
- Crimson-Tea Corner – position by a small seating area with sea kale and low grasses – for homeowners who enjoy afternoon tea outdoors and prefer low-effort structure.
- Cottage-Cut Row – line a short fence or shingle strip with evenly spaced plants – appealing to hobby gardeners who like to cut their own dark red roses for vases.
- Urban-Jetty Mix – combine in a raised bed with white Tanacetum and blue Salvia – perfect for busy urban gardeners aiming for a coastal-inspired, colour-rich but manageable scheme.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as POUlman and marketed as Ingrid Bergman™ Hybrid Tea POULSEN® POUlman; American Rose Society exhibition name Ingrid Bergman, in the Hybrid Tea POULSEN® collection. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by L. Pernille Olesen and Mogens Nyegaard Olesen, Poulsen Roser A/S, Denmark, from ‘Precious Platinum’ × ‘Else Poulsen’; bred and introduced in 1984, initially distributed by Poulsen Roser A/S. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated hybrid tea with RNRS Trial Ground Certificate, multiple European gold and silver medals, RHS Award of Garden Merit, and named World’s Favourite Rose by the WFRS Rose Hall of Fame in 2000. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright habit 80–105 cm high, 50–70 cm spread, moderately thorny stems and dense, dark green, slightly glossy foliage; maintains a clear, vertical outline suited to feature planting and cutting. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, high-centred, pointed buds in classic cut-rose style, typically borne singly on stems; around 26–39 petals with abundant repeat flowering, including a generous second flush in suitable conditions. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep, velvety dark red flowers with ruby-red highlights, buds almost black-burgundy; colour holds strongly in sun, slowly muting towards blackish bordeaux while retaining depth and overall richness as blooms age. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Light, subtle rose scent that adds a gentle note near seating areas without overwhelming confined spaces; fragrance is present but restrained, complementing the visual impact rather than dominating the planting. |
| Hip characteristics |
Sparse red hips 10–14 mm across, ellipsoidal; double flowers reduce hip set, so ornamental interest is focused mainly on the blooms themselves rather than on decorative autumn fruit display in most gardens. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Very hardy to around −32 to −29 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 5, USDA 4b); disease resistance is modest, needing regular protection from powdery mildew, rust and black spot, especially in damp or enclosed sites. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with well-drained soil; suit bedding, specimen, hedging, container and cutting uses, spacing 50–90 cm; maintain by deadheading and protective spraying where disease pressure is high. |
INGRID BERGMAN™ offers classic dark-red blooms, compact structure and long-lived own-root reliability in family gardens and containers, making it a thoughtful choice if you want lasting elegance with manageable care.
