ILLSE ROOS – dark red hybrid tea rose - Orard
If You dream of a rose that feels both luxury and reliable in a typical Irish garden, ILLSE ROOS is a richly scented hybrid tea that settles steadily even where rainfall and heavy soil demand thoughtful drainage. Its velvety, dark red blooms open on a neat, bushy plant, giving classic long-stem flowers for vases as well as elegant structure in beds and borders. The fragrance is unmistakably damask, strong enough to notice from a distance when You pass the front path or sit on the patio. As an own-root bush it builds up gradually, supporting a long lifespan with reliable regrowth if it is ever cut back hard or nipped by winter. In its first year it focuses on strong roots, in the second on fuller shoots, and by the third it reaches its full ornamental impact, giving You time to enjoy how it grows into the overall garden picture.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden feature by the entrance |
Well-shaped, bushy growth and glossy dark foliage create a tidy, upright presence that looks “finished” with minimal shaping, ideal where You want a welcoming focal point without complex pruning; perfect for the busy, style-conscious homeowner |
| Cut-flower bed for home bouquets |
Large, very full, solitary blooms on long stems are easy to cut for vases, with strong damask fragrance and intense dark red colour that hold their character indoors, giving You dependable, florist-style flowers from a simple home bed; ideal for the enthusiastic beginner |
| Small group planting in a mixed border |
Planting 3–5 bushes at 50 cm spacing creates a compact, repeating rhythm of deep red flowers that read clearly from a distance, tying together perennials and shrubs without demanding complicated maintenance; suited to the practical family gardener |
| Partial-shade side garden or passage |
This variety tolerates partial shade, so it will still flower and scent the air along side passages or north-east facing boundaries, making use of spaces where many roses underperform; a reassuring choice for space-limited urbanites |
| Large container on patio or balcony |
In a 40–50 litre container with good drainage, its bushy habit and repeat flowering give a concentrated column of colour and perfume close to seating areas, with tasks limited mainly to watering and simple deadheading; ideal for low-fuss balcony-owners |
| Romantic cottage-style rose corner |
The velvety, dark claret blooms and classic hybrid tea form suit cottage-style plantings with soft perennials, while own-root growth offers long-term stability so the corner can mature gracefully over many years; appealing to nostalgic country gardeners |
| Heat-exposed, sunny front border |
Good heat tolerance and the ability of established plants to withstand moderate summer drought mean it copes well with sun-baked, south-facing beds, especially where rainfall and heavy soil demand careful drainage planning; reassuring for weather-aware owners |
| Low-maintenance statement rose in a family lawn |
Used as a solitary specimen at around 90 cm spacing from other shrubs, its strong scent, dark foliage and repeat flowering provide a clear focal point with only medium maintenance and occasional plant protection; suitable for time-poor family households |
Decorating ideas
- Classic Entrance Pair – Plant two ILLSE ROOS flanking the front door in generous beds edged with low box or hardy thyme for a formal, fragrant welcome – ideal for homeowners who like a neat, traditional look
- Cottage Red & Gold – Combine with large-flowered coreopsis and soft grasses for a gold-and-crimson, gently tumbling cottage border that still feels organised – perfect for fans of relaxed, romantic gardens
- Patio Perfume Pot – Grow one bush in a 40–50 litre terracotta container with trailing ivy and white lobelia to frame summer seating areas in scent – good for balcony and patio users wanting easy impact
- Evening Scent Walk – Line a short path with a small group of ILLSE ROOS underplanted with Artemisia ‘Nana’ to catch the evening sun and release fragrance as You pass – best for those who enjoy after-work garden strolls
- Cutting Patch Corner – Dedicate a sunny corner to 5–7 bushes spaced at 50 cm, with bee balm behind for colour contrast, so You can pick armfuls of dark red, perfumed stems all summer – made for keen home bouquet makers
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose from the Parfums de Lyon collection; registered as ORA 9898 and marketed as Illse Roos – dark red hybrid tea rose – Orard, verified for cultivar authenticity for pharmarosa.ie customers. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Pierre Orard in France, with parentage not recorded; breeding year 2010, first introduced by Ludwig’s Roses in South Africa, representing modern French scent-bred hybrid teas. |
| Growth and structure |
Bushy, upright plant to about 75–105 cm high and 40–60 cm wide, with dense, dark green, glossy foliage and moderate thorns; forms a compact bush suitable for beds, borders and feature planting. |
| Flower morphology |
Very full, cupped hybrid tea blooms with more than 40 petals, borne mostly singly on stems; extra-large flower size ideal for cutting, with remontant repeat flushes providing a generous second flowering phase. |
| Colour and phenology |
Velvety dark red to deep burgundy, tending almost to black in shade; as blooms open they shift gently towards carmine while retaining a rich claret impression, giving an intense, dramatic effect in all light levels. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, classic damask scent that is noticeable at some distance, especially in still evening air; ideal for planting near paths, doors or seating areas where passing gardeners can enjoy the rich perfume. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Occasionally sets small, spherical red hips about 8–12 mm across; these can add a light decorative touch in late season but are not a dominant ornamental feature of the variety. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA zone 6b, Swedish zone 3); medium resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust, best performance with basic preventive care and good air movement. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suitable for flower beds, specimen planting, small parks and cutting gardens; space at 50 cm for groups or 90 cm as a feature, provide fertile, well-drained soil, regular feeding and occasional plant protection when needed. |
ILLSE ROOS offers intensely scented, velvety dark red blooms on a compact, long-lived own-root bush that is ideal for cutting, feature planting and fragrant entrances, giving You dependable colour and perfume with straightforward care whenever You choose to plant.
