INGRID BERGMAN™ – dark red hybrid tea rose
The legendary Ingrid Bergman™ brings a truly classic hybrid tea look to your garden with large, velvety, dark red blooms on a neat, upright bush. You get a premium exhibition-type rose in a practical pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2‑litre pot that is already well rooted and ready to establish. Its flowers hold their intense colour reliably, even when summer is warm and bright, so your planting keeps its impact for longer. As an own‑root plant it settles into your soil, building a strong framework that supports a long garden life and regrows well after pruning. In year one it focuses on roots, in year two you see stronger shoots, and by year three it shows its full ornamental value. With proper feeding and regular deadheading, Ingrid Bergman™ gives a generous crop of long‑stemmed blooms that are perfect for cutting as well as display in beds and borders. It appreciates good air movement and drainage, which helps it cope better with our humid, rain‑washed Irish seasons and the usual fungal pressure. Use it as a single focal point near an entrance, or plant in small groups for a compact, formal look that fits both town front gardens and relaxed rural cottage settings.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden focal point near the entrance |
Large, high-centred blooms on an upright, compact bush create a strong, tidy statement beside paths or driveways, giving a smart welcome that looks considered without needing complex garden design, ideal for the busy homeowner |
| Small group planting in a family front bed |
Planting 3–5 roses together at the recommended spacing forms a balanced, medium-height feature that flowers repeatedly through the season, providing structure and colour in an average-sized Irish front garden for the relaxed beginner |
| Cut-flower corner for home vases |
The long, straight stems and exhibition-style blooms are excellent for cutting, so even a single plant can supply classic dark red roses for the house, suiting gardeners who want simple, reliable flowers for arranging at home |
| Patio container or balcony in a large pot |
In a 40–50 litre container with quality compost and feeding, this upright rose stays manageable in size yet still offers impressive flowers, ideal for patios, balconies or rented homes where you want a moveable feature for the urban gardener |
| Sunny mixed border with perennials |
The dark red flowers and dark foliage stand out beautifully among lighter perennials such as salvias or daisies, adding height and a formal touch in a bed that remains fairly low maintenance for the time-conscious family |
| Specimen rose in a lawn island bed |
Used alone, Ingrid Bergman™ forms a defined, upright bush that looks elegant from all sides; its own-root habit supports a long-lived framework, giving dependable structure for those planning a stable, long-term planting |
| Sheltered coastal or exposed suburban site |
Good heat and drought tolerance, combined with solid winter hardiness, help this rose cope with breezier, open positions where weather can be changeable, a reassurance for gardeners in windier parts of Ireland and similar regions |
| Bed with good airflow in wetter Irish climates |
Placing Ingrid Bergman™ in a sunny, open spot with decent drainage and space between plants helps you manage the challenges of our moist air and frequent rain, naturally reducing issues linked with high seasonal fungal pressure for the cautious starter |
Decorating ideas
- Entrance Elegance – frame your front path with two Ingrid Bergman™ roses underplanted with low lavender for a classic, welcoming look – ideal for homeowners who like a neat, formal style
- Cottage Contrast – combine Ingrid Bergman™ with feverfew and meadow sage in a small border so the deep red blooms pop against airy white and purple – perfect for fans of relaxed cottage gardens
- Patio Showpiece – grow one rose in a 40–50 litre terracotta pot with trailing thyme around the rim to create a portable, architectural accent – suited to balcony and townhouse gardeners
- Romantic Cut-Flower Bed – dedicate a narrow strip with 3 Ingrid Bergman™ plants and simple edging to provide a steady supply of long-stemmed roses for the vase – great for beginners who enjoy bringing flowers indoors
- Evening Spotlight – plant Ingrid Bergman™ where it can be lit by a warm outdoor light so the velvety dark red blooms glow after dusk – appealing to those who use their garden for evening relaxation
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose; registered as POUlman, marketed as Ingrid Bergman™ Hybrid Tea POULSEN® POUlman; ARS approved exhibition name Ingrid Bergman; pharmaROSA.ie authenticity verified 03.07.2025. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by L. Pernille Olesen and Mogens Nyegaard Olesen, Poulsen Roser A/S, Denmark; cross of ‘Precious Platinum’ × ‘Else Poulsen’; bred and introduced in 1984, with Poulsen as initial distributor. |
| Awards and recognitions |
Highly decorated hybrid tea: RNRS Trial Ground Certificate 1983, multiple European medals including Belfast Gold and Best Hybrid Tea 1985, RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993, and WFRS World’s Favourite Rose 2000. |
| Growth and structure |
Upright hybrid tea with dense, dark green, slightly glossy foliage; medium-sized bush about 80–105 cm high and 50–70 cm wide; moderately thorny stems; self-cleaning is weak so deadheading is recommended. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, high-centred hybrid tea blooms with 26–39 petals; pointed buds open to classic exhibition form on mainly solitary stems; good repeat flowering with an abundant second flush in suitable conditions. |
| Colour and phenology |
Deep, velvety dark red flowers with ruby-red highlights; colour holds very well and barely fades in strong sun; buds are almost blackish burgundy, blooms age towards a blackish-bordeaux tone while maintaining depth of shade. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Light, subtle fragrance; scent description is not fully documented but generally considered gently perfumed rather than strongly scented, making it suitable for seating areas where a delicate aroma is preferred. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Rosehips form sparsely due to the double blooms; when present they are ellipsoidal, red, and about 10–14 mm in diameter, adding modest late-season interest without becoming visually dominant on the bush. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Very hardy to around −32 to −29 °C (H7, USDA 4b, Swedish Zone 5); heat tolerant and withstands moderate drought with watering; disease resistance is limited, with high susceptibility to powdery mildew and rust, and moderate black spot. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in a sunny, airy position with good drainage and regular feeding; allow spacing of 50–90 cm depending on use; suitable for beds, specimens, cut flowers and large containers; regular deadheading and disease protection improve performance. |
INGRID BERGMAN™ offers classic dark red blooms, reliable repeat flowering and strong hardiness on a long-lived own-root framework that fits easily into family gardens and containers, making it a sound choice if you would like a dependable focal rose.
