AVON™ – dark red hybrid tea rose - Morey
If You dream of a classic, velvety red rose that feels both refined and reliable, AVON™ is an easy choice for Irish family gardens. Its tall, upright habit and dense foliage create a natural screen along paths and boundaries, while the large, cup-shaped blooms are perfect for cut flowers to bring indoors. The rich, dark-red petals hold their colour beautifully, even in bright sun, and the strong, long-lasting fragrance adds a romantic presence near doors, patios and seating areas. As an own-root plant it is bred for long-term lifespan, steadily building a stable bush that copes well with our wet spells and heavier soils when You ensure reasonable drainage against persistent waterlogging. Over time it rewards You with a dependable rhythm: first year building roots, second year filling out stems, third year delivering its full ornamental impact.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden focal point |
Planted as a single specimen near your entrance or along a front path, AVON™ forms a tall, upright bush with dense dark-green foliage and large, elegant blooms that give a smart, welcoming look to average-sized Irish front gardens, ideal for the homeowner |
| Classic cut-flower corner |
In a sunny bed where You can reach it easily, its long, straight stems and large hybrid tea flowers provide a steady supply of fragrant, deep-red blooms for vases, delivering that traditional “florist rose” look at home with minimal effort for the busy gardener |
| Small rose group of 3–5 plants |
Planting a tight group lets the bushes knit together into a rich block of colour, with repeat flushes through the season; own-root growth gives a stable, long-lived thicket that fits neatly into modest family gardens for the beginner |
| Low maintenance feature bed |
Moderate disease resistance and remontant flowering mean You mainly need to deadhead and feed, without intensive spraying programmes, so a mixed bed with shrubs and perennials can stay tidy and colourful without complex routines for the time-poor |
| Informal flowering hedge |
At 130–170 cm high, spaced at around 55 cm, AVON™ lines paths or boundaries to create a loose, blooming hedge; the dense foliage adds privacy while the dark-red flowers punctuate the line, suiting family gardens seeking a soft boundary for the neighbour |
| Sunny border in heavier Irish soils |
AVON™ appreciates sun and, once planted into improved but still clay-based garden soil, forms a resilient shrub that copes well with our damp spells provided You prevent long-term saturation, matching typical suburban plots for the practical owner |
| Pollinator-friendly cottage bed |
The semi-double flowers make stamens partly accessible, so bees still visit while You enjoy classic hybrid tea looks; combine with cottage favourites to create a romantic, wildlife-aware corner that feels traditional yet easy for the nature-lover |
| Large patio container (40–50 litres) |
In a substantial 40–50 litre pot with good drainage, AVON™ becomes a mobile accent for sun-trap patios or small urban spaces, giving height, fragrance and cut flowers near seating areas, while own-root vigour supports long-term container use for the apartment-dweller |
Decorating ideas
- Entrance Elegance – Position one AVON™ by the front door with white hydrangeas behind to highlight the velvety dark red, ideal for homeowners wanting a polished, welcoming entrance.
- Cottage Ribbon – Line a path with AVON™ and interplant lavender and catmint for a softly scented, bee-friendly cottage feel, perfect for those who love relaxed, romantic gardens.
- Sunset Mix – Combine AVON™ with Coreopsis grandiflora and Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ in a sunny bed for red, gold and blue contrast, great for gardeners who enjoy bold colour harmonies.
- Serene Seating – Plant AVON™ close to a bench or terrace, underplanting with low-growing geraniums, to enjoy fragrance and colour at sitting height, suited to small family gardens with a favourite rest spot.
- Formal Accent – Use three AVON™ roses in a triangle in the lawn, edged with box or low hebe, to create a simple, formal island bed that stays impressive yet manageable for structured-garden enthusiasts.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
AVON™ hybrid tea rose, exhibition hybrid tea; ARS exhibition name Avon, trade name Avon™ Hybrid tea rose Morey, hybrid tea rose group and commercial type. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Dennison Harlow Morey, Jackson & Perkins Co., USA; Nocturne × Chrysler Imperial, introduced and registered in 1961, with origin and breeding year 1961 in the United States. |
| Growth and structure |
Tall, upright bush, 130–170 cm high and 75–105 cm spread; dense, slightly glossy dark-green foliage with moderate prickliness, forming a substantial vertical accent in beds and borders. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, semi-double, cup to chalice-shaped blooms, 13–25 petals, mostly solitary on stems; remontant with a strong second flush, suitable for cutting and garden display alike. |
| Colour and phenology |
Deep, velvety dark red with rich ruby tones; colour holds extremely well in sun with minimal fading, buds blackish-maroon, slight purplish tinge on outer petals as flowers age. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, long-lasting scent typical of classic red hybrid teas; fragrance is noticeable both on the plant and in cut stems indoors, enhancing its value as a garden and vase rose. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Forms only occasional, very small hips, about 0–5 mm in diameter, with no significant ornamental value and little impact on the overall appearance of the shrub. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); good resistance to powdery mildew and black spot, moderate rust susceptibility, with average heat and drought tolerance. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with well-drained soil; medium maintenance with occasional plant protection, regular deadheading and feeding; recommended spacing 55–100 cm depending on hedge, mass or specimen use. |
AVON™ offers velvety dark-red, fragrant blooms, reliable repeat flowering and long-lived own-root strength for a classic yet easy-care garden rose, making it a sound choice if You would like a dependable, elegant feature.
