ASJA™ – orange-red hybrid tea rose – McGredy
If You would like a rose that is both reliable and genuinely elegant, ASJA™ is a great fit for an Irish family garden. This hybrid tea forms a neat, upright bush that stays within a manageable size, giving You classic, long-stemmed blooms without overwhelming a small front border. Its vivid orange-red flowers keep their colour well and open with a refined, high-centred form that looks just as good in the bed as it does in a vase indoors. On its own roots it settles in steadily and builds a long-lived framework that copes well with typical Irish rains and humidity, so once established it needs only basic care. Over time it rewards You with a refined, repeat-flowering display: in year one it concentrates on making roots, in year two it fills out with strong new shoots, and by year three it reaches its full ornamental value with confident, season-long flowering. Planting a well-rooted 2-litre plant means You simply give it a good start, keep it watered, and then enjoy the colour and structure it brings, without complicated routines, specialist pruning or intensive maintenance. Its moderately dense, glossy foliage frames the blooms nicely, while good black-spot resistance supports long-term health in ordinary gardens. Use a single bush as a focal point, or group several together for a compact, easy-care, cut-flower-friendly border that works hard for You season after season.
Use cases
| Target area | Reason |
|---|
| Front garden focal point near the entrance |
ASJA™ forms a tidy upright bush with large, showy blooms that read clearly from the street, giving a smart, welcoming look without taking up much space, ideal for busy homeowners who want neat impact with minimal effort for beginners |
| Small mixed bed in a family back garden |
The moderate height and spread fit easily among perennials and low shrubs, while its reliable repeat flowering adds structure and colour between other plants, suiting mixed borders where You want straightforward care rather than complex rose schemes for homeowners |
| Cutting patch for home-grown bouquets |
Long, straight stems with high-centred, double flowers make it a practical choice for cutting; a small group of bushes will supply regular stems for the house through the season, ideal if You enjoy fresh flowers but have limited time to manage demanding varieties for flower-lovers |
| Compact rose group of 3–5 plants in a front border |
Planted at recommended spacing, several bushes create a coherent, low-maintenance block of colour, with each plant gradually adapting its own-root framework for long-term balance, ideal for those who want a dependable, long-lived feature without frequent replacement for planners |
| Sunny, sheltered bed in coastal or exposed areas |
Once established on its own roots, the bushy structure and sound hardiness help it cope with Irish winds and damp air, supporting dependable flowering even where weather can be challenging, useful in gardens that regularly face brisk Atlantic moisture and wind for coastal-gardeners |
| Narrow side border along paths or driveways |
The upright habit and moderate width mean it will not sprawl over paths, while repeat blooms brighten functional areas of the garden, making it a practical choice where space is tight but You still want a smart, flowered edge that is easy to keep in shape for urban-owners |
| Large container on patio or balcony (40–50 litre minimum) |
In a suitably deep, 40–50 litre container with drainage, ASJA™ settles into a stable own-root system and flowers reliably, giving colour close to the house where borders are limited, suited to small paved gardens and balconies where in-ground planting is not possible for apartment-dwellers |
| Low, formal-style line or short hedge |
Regular spacing allows its upright habit to read as a short, flowered line along paths or boundaries; with moderate disease resistance and manageable maintenance, it offers a simple way to echo formal gardens on a smaller scale for style-conscious |
Decorating ideas
- Doorway Accent – Plant a single ASJA™ by the front path with lavender for soft scent and a cottage feel – ideal for homeowners who want an inviting entrance without fussy upkeep
- Sunset Trio – Group three bushes with Verbena hastata ‘Pink Spires’ and soft grasses for a warm, glowing colour mix – perfect for beginners creating a low-effort feature bed
- Patio Statement – Grow ASJA™ in a 40–50 litre pot with trailing Delosperma cooperi at the rim – great for small urban patios where You want long-season colour in one easy container
- Formal Edge – Line a short path with evenly spaced plants and underplant with low thyme for a simple, structured, yet low-maintenance edge – suited to those who enjoy order but not heavy gardening
- Cutting Corner – Dedicate a sunny corner to a small group of ASJA™ with rosemary and hydrangea nearby for foliage fillers – ideal for flower enthusiasts who like quick, rewarding home bouquets
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
ASJA™ is a hybrid tea rose traded as Asja™, with ARS exhibition name Asja; a hybrid tea type from the pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre own-root range for garden and cutting use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Samuel Darragh McGredy IV, McGredy Roses International, New Zealand; introduced and registered in 1998, with parentage recorded as unknown, originally distributed by McGredy Roses. |
| Growth and structure |
Hybrid tea with upright habit, about 95–125 cm tall and 60–85 cm wide; moderately dense, slightly glossy medium-green foliage and moderate thorns, forming a balanced bush in average gardens. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, high-centred blooms with 26–39 petals, typically borne singly on stems; cupped form suited to cutting, with remontant flowering and a notably abundant second flush in summer. |
| Colour and phenology |
Deep orange-red buds open to bright, vivid orange-red flowers that keep colour well; edges lighten slightly at full bloom, then age to a softer muted red–orange tone before dropping. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Delicately spicy fragrance of very weak intensity; primarily grown for flower form and colour rather than scent, offering a light, discreet aroma around the plant in warm, still conditions. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Rose hip set is generally poor due to its double flowers; where formed, hips are small ellipsoid orange-red fruits about 10–14 mm across, not a primary ornamental feature of the variety. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to around −21 to −18 °C (H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); overall moderate disease resistance, with good black spot resistance and moderate susceptibility noted to powdery mildew and rust. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to beds, borders, and cutting; prefers full sun, fertile, well-drained soil, and regular watering. Space 40–75 cm depending on use, with occasional plant protection and standard rose feeding as needed. |
ASJA™ offers vivid orange-red blooms on an upright, cuttable bush with good black-spot resistance and long-lived own-root growth, making it a practical choice if You want reliable colour with straightforward care and are ready to give it a place in your garden.
