BIG PURPLE – mauve-purple hybrid tea rose - Stephens
If You are looking for an easy yet impressive rose, BIG PURPLE rewards You with exceptionally large, romantic blooms in a rich mauve‑purple shade and a room‑filling fragrance that is made for cutting and bringing indoors. As a pharmaROSA ORIGINAL own‑root plant, it develops a stable, long‑lived bush that copes well with our damp Irish weather and humid summers when You give it decent drainage and basic care. In its first year it quietly builds roots, in the second it pushes stronger shoots, and by the third it settles into full ornamental value with upright, elegant growth and repeat flowering. The solitary, high‑centred blooms are perfect for front‑garden pride or a showpiece by the path, and in a 40–50 litre container on a sheltered patio You can enjoy this fragrant beauty right beside Your favourite seat.
Use cases
| Target area | Reason |
|---|
| Front garden focal point |
The tall, upright habit and very large, high‑centred blooms give instant “wow” at the front of the house without needing complex planting schemes, ideal when You simply want one striking rose to anchor a small Irish front garden for the beginner |
| Cutting bed near the house |
The extra‑large, double flowers on long, straight stems are classic exhibition‑style hybrid teas, perfect for vases and scented arrangements, so a short run of plants by a path or patio door gives You reliable, luxurious cut blooms with minimal fuss for the home‑florist |
| Specimen rose in a mixed border |
Planted as a single specimen among perennials, BIG PURPLE’s refined mauve‑purple colour blends well with soft pinks and silvers without clashing, while the own‑root plant gradually forms its final shape in place, remaining balanced and attractive over many seasons for the style‑conscious |
| Small group planting (1–3 roses) |
A small group spaced well apart creates a generous cloud of colour and scent in summer, with repeat flowering after the first flush, giving a neat, easy‑to‑manage feature bed that rewards light pruning and occasional feeding for the busy |
| Patio tub or large container |
In a 40–50 litre container with good drainage, the upright form and moderate spread suit terraces or paved front gardens, giving height, colour and perfume where soil is poor or space is limited, particularly useful for coastal or urban homes for the balcony‑owner |
| Rose border with companion shrubs |
The sophisticated purple colouring pairs beautifully with grey or blue foliage shrubs such as Ceanothus, making a refined rose border that still feels low‑maintenance; own‑root vigour supports long‑term structure without frequent replacement for the planner |
| Feature beside seating area |
The extremely strong, classic rose scent is best appreciated close‑up, so planting near a bench or terrace lets You enjoy its room‑filling perfume outdoors on calm evenings, turning an ordinary seating corner into a quietly luxurious spot for the relaxer |
| Cottage‑style side garden |
Along a path or boundary, BIG PURPLE’s repeat‑flowering habit and romantic colour create a traditional cottage‑garden feel that copes well with our damp, humid summers when the soil is improved for drainage and splashing is minimised for the cottage‑gardener |
Decorating ideas
- Vase‑ready border – Plant BIG PURPLE in a short row by the back door for quick access to stems, underplant with lavender for contrast – ideal for home‑florists who like cut flowers on hand
- Romantic front path – Use one or two plants flanking a path, edging with low Nepeta to soften the line – suited to homeowners seeking a welcoming, scented entrance
- Purple harmony corner – Combine BIG PURPLE with Ceanothus and silver foliage plants to create a cool‑toned feature – perfect for design‑minded gardeners who enjoy coordinated colour schemes
- Patio perfume pot – Grow in a 40–50 litre terracotta tub with trailing thyme at the base – good for small‑space gardeners wanting maximum scent from limited patio room
- Cottage mix strip – Thread BIG PURPLE through a border of foxgloves and hemp‑agrimony for a loose cottage feel – great for rural or village gardens aiming for relaxed abundance without complexity
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose; registered as STEbigpu, marketed as Big Purple Hybrid tea rose STEbigpu, also known as Stephens’ Big Purple; descriptive English name highlighting its very large purple blooms. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Patrick N. “Pat” Stephens from an unknown seedling × ‘Purple Splendour’; registered in 1986 and later introduced by McGredy Roses International, New Zealand, after 1986 for garden and exhibition use. |
| Awards and recognitions |
Recognised on the show bench as a high‑quality mauve hybrid tea; awarded Best Mauve Rose at Rosexpo Montreal by the Canadian Rose Society in 1999, highlighting its exhibition‑grade flower form and colour. |
| Growth and structure |
Upright, bushy hybrid tea reaching around 130–170 cm in height and 100–140 cm in spread; moderately dense dark green foliage with moderate prickliness, best planted with ample space for air movement and display. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, high‑centred, pointed buds in classic cut‑rose style; solitary XL blooms with over 40 petals, opening slowly and holding form well, especially suited to cutting and exhibition where defined shape is desired. |
| Colour and phenology |
Rich mauve‑purple flowers with violet shimmer; freshly opened blooms show purple‑tinged violet with paler lavender inner petals, later fading to smoky lilac with silvery highlights; colour holds moderately in strong sun. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Extremely strong, classic rose scent that can perfume a room when cut; fragrance is full and traditional rather than citrusy, making it particularly valued for scented bouquets and for planting near doors and seating. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Rose hips form only occasionally due to very double flowers; when present, they are small ellipsoid orange‑red hips around 10–14 mm, adding a light seasonal accent without significantly affecting ornamental performance. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C (USDA 6b, RHS H7, Swedish zone 3); disease resistance is moderate to powdery mildew, black spot and rust, benefiting from good air circulation and routine preventative care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with fertile, well‑drained soil; water during prolonged dry spells and feed regularly for strong repeat flowering; ideal spacing 110–200 cm depending on use, with light deadheading to encourage remontant blooming. |
BIG PURPLE – mauve-purple hybrid tea rose - Stephens offers exhibition-quality XL blooms, powerful fragrance and long-term structure from its own-root strength; a fine choice if You would like a showpiece rose that remains manageable.
