BIRTHE KJAER – Red Nostalgic Rose - Olesen
If You dream of a reliable red shrub rose that simply settles in and performs, Birthe Kjaer Renaissance® is made for the Irish family garden: a bushy, upright shrub that copes well with our humid weather and summer showers while keeping a neat shape with dense, glossy foliage and good self-cleaning so spent blooms drop away with little effort. Its richly double, rosette flowers appear in generous clusters, first in early summer and again in a strong remontant flush, giving weeks of colour in a warm, velvety mid-red that fades only slightly towards raspberry tones without ever looking washed out, so front gardens and small beds stay elegant. This 2‑litre own‑root plant arrives well established, ready to plant and get growing in typical Irish soils, steadily building long-lived roots and regrowing reliably from its own base for a long lifespan. Over the first three seasons it focuses on roots in year one, bush structure in year two and full ornamental impact by year three, giving You a romantic, strongly scented show with minimum fuss.
Use cases
| Target area | Reason |
|---|
| Front garden feature shrub by the entrance |
Bushy, upright growth to about 100–140 cm makes a welcoming focal shrub that stays in proportion to an average front garden, with dense foliage and good self-cleaning meaning less deadheading work for busy homeowners, especially beginners |
| Medium mixed border with perennials |
Clusters of large, double, mid‑red rosette blooms provide strong colour blocks that combine beautifully with perennials such as dianthus or purple loosestrife, giving structure and a romantic look without needing complicated pruning for homeowners |
| Small group of 3 shrubs in a lawn island bed |
Planted in a loose triangle at around 1 m spacing, three plants form a broad, rounded group whose height and spread fill an island bed elegantly, ideal if You want a classic rose look that reads clearly from the kerb for passing gardeners |
| Romantic cottage-style border near a seating area |
The strongly scented, nostalgic rosette flowers and raspberry‑red tones towards the end of each bloom create a cottage‑garden feel along a path or beside a bench, bringing fragrance and colour close to where You sit, suiting relaxed garden-lovers |
| Easy-care flowering hedge or boundary line |
At 55 cm spacing Birthe Kjaer forms a moderately thorny, upright hedge with dense, glossy foliage, useful where You want a defined line and regular summer flowering that only needs occasional trimming, ideal for low‑maintenance families |
| Specimen rose in a large patio container |
In a minimum 40–50 litre container with good drainage, this shrub rose builds a balanced crown and repeat flowers through summer, its self-cleaning blooms and moderate maintenance needs keeping balcony and terrace displays manageable for urban-dwellers |
| Long-lived structural rose in family beds |
As an own‑root shrub, it gradually develops a strong base that can regenerate from its own wood, supporting years of stable flowering and making it a sound choice where You want durable planting that matures alongside the house for planners |
| Flower bed in wetter, wind-exposed Irish sites |
This variety suits typical Irish gardens where frequent rain and mild Atlantic winds can encourage fungal problems, yet it keeps up its ornamental value with moderate disease resistance and reliable flowering for coastal and inland starters |
Decorating ideas
- Cottage Red Trio – Plant three Birthe Kjaer in a loose triangle with cheddar pinks at the front for a low, scented edging – perfect for fans of informal cottage gardens
- Entrance Statement – Place one shrub on each side of your front path, underplant with lavender for fragrance and a soft frame – ideal for busy homeowners wanting easy wow-factor
- Patio Romance – Grow a single plant in a 50 litre terracotta pot with trailing thyme at the rim – suited to apartment patios where low-maintenance colour is key
- Mixed Border Anchor – Use Birthe Kjaer as a red anchor among hydrangeas and ornamental grasses – good for gardeners building a long-lived, structured border
- Family-Friendly Hedge – Line a boundary with a loose hedge, interplanting with rosemary for scent and winter interest – attractive for families wanting a simple, flowering screen
Technical cultivar profile
| Characteristic | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Trade name Birthe Kjaer Renaissance, nostalgia shrub rose in the Romantic group; registered as POUlren033, introduced after 2020 and sold as a pharmaROSA ORIGINAL 2‑litre own‑root potted rose. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred in Denmark in 2019 by Mogens Nyegaard Olesen of Poulsen Roser A/S from unnamed seedlings, with European CPVO registration in 2020 and US plant protection in 2022. |
| Awards and recognitions |
Recognised with a Bronze Medal at the Japan Rose Concours in Tokyo in 2021, confirming its ornamental quality and garden performance under international trial conditions. |
| Growth and structure |
Bushy, upright shrub rose reaching about 100–140 cm high and 70–110 cm wide, with dense, mid‑green, glossy foliage and moderate prickliness, suitable for beds, hedging and specimen use. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, rosette blooms with approximately 26–39 petals, borne in clusters of three to five flowers per stem, with good repeat flowering and an abundant second flush in summer. |
| Colour and phenology |
Uniform rich mid‑red with velvety petals; colour holds well, only gently softening towards raspberry red as blooms age, avoiding a washed‑out look throughout the flowering period. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strongly scented shrub rose with a long‑lasting perfume that enriches paths and seating areas; exact fragrance notes are not formally described but intensity is rated high. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Due to the double flowers, hips are usually sparse; when present they are small, spherical, 8–12 mm in diameter and red, adding minor late‑season interest rather than being a key feature. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3) with moderate resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust, performing reliably in typical Irish garden conditions. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suitable for beds, hedges, parks, specimens and cutting; prefers moist but well‑drained soil, partial shade tolerance is good, with medium maintenance and occasional disease monitoring advised. |
BIRTHE KJAER – Red Nostalgic Rose - Olesen offers rich, repeat red blooms, a strong fragrance and bushy structure on a long-lived own-root shrub, giving You reliable garden colour with straightforward care if You decide to plant it.
