SIMPLY STUNNING – carmine-red hybrid tea rose – Delbard
Imagine returning from the beach to enjoy afternoon tea behind a living rose windbreak, where deep carmine-red blooms glow against glossy foliage and a fresh, red-berry fragrance moves in the sea breeze. This Delbard hybrid tea gives you exhibition-style flowers with minimal effort, thriving in a sheltered coastal nook or on a sunny Cornish veranda with weather-smart planting and good drainage underfoot for confident anchoring. In your first season it quietly builds roots, in the second it pushes taller shoots, and by the third year it offers stable, long-term ornamental value from its own-root strength in beds or a generous 40–50 litre container.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Coastal veranda in Cornwall or Devon |
Ideal for a sheltered, sunny veranda where its upright habit and dense foliage create a colourful backdrop to deck chairs and café tables, while coping well with brisk onshore winds in small, well-drained planters – perfect for coastal-style beginners and busy homeowners. |
| Feature rose in a small family garden |
Planted as a single specimen, its tall, upright structure and very double, velvety red blooms give a strong focal point without demanding constant care, rewarding basic pruning and feeding with seasons of repeat flowering – ideal for first-time rose-growers and time-poor gardeners. |
| Cutting-and-tea corner near the patio |
The long-stemmed hybrid tea blooms and fresh, red-berry scent are excellent for home-cut vases, allowing you to gather a few stems for indoor arrangements while the plant continues to flower generously outside – suited to fragrance lovers and relaxed hobby florists. |
| Mixed border with lavender and grasses |
Combining it with Lavandula, Festuca or sea kale softens its formal blooms, while its medium maintenance needs and own-root resilience keep the border looking good over many years with modest intervention – reassuring for design-conscious yet low-maintenance gardeners. |
| Roses in large containers (40–50 litres) |
In a substantial pot of 40–50 litres with good drainage, its compact spread, upright height and glossy foliage provide structure on balconies or terraces, with flowers presented perfectly at eye level – attractive for small-space owners and urban balcony gardeners. |
| Wind-filtering rose line by a seating area |
A loose row at the back of a seating nook offers a semi-transparent screen that filters wind while remaining elegant, as sturdy stems and dense foliage help it stay steady even where coastal gusts are common – useful for family patios and garden loungers. |
| Long-term planting in a family flower bed |
The own-root form supports a naturally long lifespan, recovering well from occasional setbacks and gradually building a stable framework, so the bed matures into a reliable, repeat-blooming feature rather than needing frequent replacement – ideal for planners and future-focused homeowners. |
| Part-shade side garden near the house |
Suited to spots with morning or late-afternoon sun, it tolerates partial shade and still produces richly coloured blooms, giving value in side paths or between buildings where many roses struggle – helpful for challenging plots and practical beginners. |
Styling ideas
- Veranda Retreat – Place one or two large tubs beside outdoor seating, pairing with lavender in smaller pots for a seaside tearoom feel – for veranda owners who prize calm, low-effort colour.
- Crimson Focus – Use a single plant in a gravel circle with blue-grey Festuca and white pebbles to echo shingle beaches – for design-minded gardeners wanting a clear focal point.
- Cutting Nook – Create a small cutting patch with three bushes and a simple bench, adding Salvia nemorosa for contrast and extra stems – for home florists who like easy weekly bouquets.
- Coastal Ribbon – Line a path with spaced plants under-planted with sea kale and low thyme in free-draining soil to form a gentle, wind-filtering ribbon – for coastal families using every metre of garden.
- Balcony Statement – Grow it in a single 50-litre container with a pale gravel mulch and one accent grass for movement – for busy urban dwellers wanting a smart, compact statement rose.
Technical cultivar profile
| Trait | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose from the Scented Memories of Love collection; registered as DELroufra, marketed as Simply Stunning and Scented Memories of Love; ARS exhibition name La Rose des 4 Vents. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Georges Delbard in France, 2005; introduced 2006 through Georges Delbard SA and Matthews Nurseries, combining modern hybrid tea form with reliable garden performance and fragrance. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright hybrid tea, typically 80–120 cm tall with 50–70 cm spread; dense, dark green glossy foliage, moderately thorny stems and neat, balanced growth suited to beds, borders and larger containers. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, cupped blooms with over 40 petals, borne mainly solitary on long stems; large flower size in the 2.75–3.95 inch range, remontant with a generous repeat flush after the main flowering. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Intense carmine-red blooms with deeper tones toward the centre; buds dark ruby; outer petals may pale to raspberry red in strong sun, while cooler conditions hold a rich, velvety crimson appearance. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Noticeably fragrant with a medium-strength, fresh red-berry character; scent is most apparent in mild, still weather and enhances its suitability for seating areas and cutting for indoor arrangements. |
| Hip characteristics |
Very double flowers limit hip set; rose-hips are generally sparse, but occasional small, spherical red hips around 8–12 mm in diameter may appear late in the season, adding a light decorative touch. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately −26 to −23 °C (USDA Zone 5b, RHS H7); disease resistance medium for black spot, mildew and rust; benefits from regular watering in drought and standard preventative care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in fertile, well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade; space 50–95 cm depending on use; moderate maintenance, including deadheading and routine pruning, improves flowering and overall vigour. |
SIMPLY STUNNING offers richly scented, exhibition-quality carmine-red blooms, reliable repeat flowering and long-lived own-root resilience, making it a thoughtful choice for relaxed coastal and family gardens alike.
