ZARAUS – dark red hybrid tea rose – pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre own-root
With ZARAUS you bring a quietly dramatic, dark-red hybrid tea into your garden that feels at home in breezy, exposed settings yet settles reliably into an ordinary family plot. Its bushy shape and medium height suit small beds, front gardens and coastal verandas where it can stand up to typical British gusts and showers, providing a steady, upright presence that helps create a gentle windbreak along paths and seating areas. Large, double, velvety blooms open in vivid scarlet and mature to wine-red and brick–mahogany, giving real depth of colour from early summer onwards. This repeat-flowering season makes the most of shorter UK summers, while the medium, citrus-fresh fragrance feels especially refreshing after a day on the beach or pottering on the patio. As an own-root rose, ZARAUS is bred for dependable lifespan and stable ornamental value, able to regenerate from the base if winter, wind or pruning are less than perfect. In a 2-litre pot it is easy to handle and establish, ideal for beginners and time-pressed gardeners who want strong structure without complex care – roots build in the first year, shoots and flowering strengthen in the second, and by the third year you can expect full impact. For coastal-style gardens on heavier soils, it copes well once planted into ground prepared with improved drainage, offering an elegant, sea-breeze-tolerant focal point by your veranda or seating corner.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Coastal veranda in containers (40–50 litres) |
Ideal for a Cornwall or Devon coastal-style veranda where you want a single, elegant dark-red rose in a large 40–50 litre container that copes with breeze, light salt spray and changeable sun, suiting those seeking simple elegance with minimal fuss for a small-space gardener |
| Front garden focal point by the path |
The bushy, medium-height habit and long-stemmed blooms make a clear yet space-efficient statement near the front door or path, providing colour and scent without overwhelming a modest border, perfect for a busy homeowner |
| Small family garden rose bed |
Repeat flowering with a plentiful second flush offers a long season of interest in compact beds, giving reliable dark-red colour even when you only have room for a few roses, well suited to a family-garden beginner |
| Sheltered seating area and “tea corner” |
The medium, citrusy fragrance is noticeable without being overpowering, enhancing a quiet spot for afternoon tea where you can sit out of the wind and enjoy the changing flower tones, appealing to a relaxation-focused gardener |
| Clay-based coastal borders with improved drainage |
Performs well in typical British clay once the planting hole is opened up and drainage improved, helping the plant anchor securely and cope with blustery, rain-lashed days by the sea, reassuring for a weather-exposed gardener |
| Mixed planting with grasses and perennials |
The rich, dark-red blooms contrast beautifully with silver foliage and fine grasses such as Festuca or sea kale, giving a sophisticated, maritime look without high maintenance, attractive for a design-conscious amateur |
| Long-term structural planting in family gardens |
As an own-root rose that regenerates from the base, it offers a longer-lived, more stable presence than many grafted plants, keeping its shape and flower quality over the years, a sound choice for a low-maintenance planner |
| Cut flowers from a small plot |
Large, double, long-stemmed blooms are well suited to cutting, so even from a modest urban garden you can bring velvety, wine-red flowers indoors across the season, rewarding for a home-flower enthusiast |
Styling ideas
- Coastal-Veranda Romance – Plant ZARAUS in a 50-litre tub with sea kale and silvery Festuca for a salty, windswept terrace look – ideal for coastal-style lovers wanting easy care.
- Compact-Front Welcome – Place one or three plants near your front path with low lavender edging to frame the entrance – suited to homeowners seeking smart structure in limited space.
- Sunset-Tea Corner – Combine ZARAUS with pale pink roses and soft grasses beside a bench for evening tea among scented, dark-red blooms – perfect for those who cherish quiet garden moments.
- Modern-Burgundy Border – Pair with blue globe thistle and evergreen St John’s-wort in a slim border for rich contrasts that read well from the house – good for design-minded beginners.
- Family-Cutting Patch – Group several plants in a small bed where children can pick stems for the table, teaching simple rose care without complexity – great for busy families who still enjoy flowers indoors.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
ZARAUS is a dark red hybrid tea rose marketed as ZARAUS – dark red hybrid tea rose – pharmaROSA®, belonging to the Hybrid Tea group; no separate registered exhibition name is recorded. |
| Origin and breeding |
Discovered in Hungary in 1976 and distributed by PharmaRosa® Ltd., this own-root selection has unknown parentage but reflects classic hybrid tea form adapted for reliable garden performance. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, upright plant reaching about 80–110 cm high and 60–80 cm wide, with moderately dense, dark green, slightly glossy foliage and a moderately thorny framework suitable for beds and containers. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, fully double flowers with 26–39 petals, produced mostly singly on stems; cup-shaped blooms repeat well through the season, giving a generous second flush in suitable garden conditions. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Closed buds are deep red; flowers open vivid scarlet (RHS 25A, 14C) then deepen to velvety wine-red and finally brick–mahogany with darker edges, retaining colour well and offering a rich burgundy overall effect. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Medium-strength scent with a fresh, citrusy character, clearly noticeable on still days yet not overpowering near seating areas, combining well with the dark, velvety flower tones in mixed plantings. |
| Hip characteristics |
Due to the very double flower form, hip set is usually sparse; where formed, hips are small, 10–14 mm, ellipsoidal and orange-red, adding occasional late-season interest without self-seeding issues. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately –21 to –18 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 3, USDA 6b), with moderate resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust, benefiting from basic hygiene and occasional plant protection. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best planted 50–100 cm apart depending on use; thrives in well-prepared soil with good drainage, regular watering and feeding; a sunny, reasonably airy position encourages repeat flowering and foliage health. |
ZARAUS Hybrid tea rose pharmaROSA® offers velvety dark-red blooms, a long flowering season and durable own-root strength, making it a thoughtful choice for lasting enjoyment in smaller gardens; consider it when planning your next planting.