King David – hybrid tea rose
Bring a touch of regal colour to your garden with King David, a premium hybrid tea rose bred by Rosen Tantau that is easy to manage in everyday Irish conditions, even where soils are heavy and wet after rain. Its upright, compact habit stays neatly within 60–80 cm, making it naturally orderly in small front gardens and narrow borders. The XL, high‑centred blooms open in a rich copper‑orange, softening to a peach‑orange with a rosy hint, giving a long‑lasting, warm display that looks just as impressive in the border as in a vase indoors. This lightly scented, fruity rose repeats well, producing a generous second flush so You see colour through much of the season without complex pruning routines. As an own‑root plant in the pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2‑litre pot, it is already well established: You simply plant, water and let it settle, benefiting from a naturally long lifespan and good regeneration. Over the first year King David focuses on roots, the second year brings stronger shoots, and by the third season You enjoy its full ornamental value as a stable, low‑maintenance feature in your garden.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Sunny front garden bed by the entrance |
King David thrives best in a sunny, open position, giving upright, tidy growth that stays within 60–80 cm, ideal beside paths and doorways where You want structure without overcrowding other plants, suiting the needs of the busy homeowner |
| Small rose group of 3 in a family garden |
Planting 3 bushes at 40–50 cm apart creates a compact, uniform group with dense, glossy foliage and repeated XL blooms, giving an intense copper‑orange focal point that remains manageable for the beginner gardener |
| Cutting corner for home bouquets |
The long‑stemmed, high‑centred, pointed buds are classic exhibition‑type hybrid tea flowers, ideal for cutting; regular picking encourages fresh shoots and repeat flowering while providing elegant blooms for the flower lover |
| Feature plant in a mixed cottage border |
Its rich orange‑copper tones blend beautifully with blues and purples such as meadow cranesbill and meadow sage, and the compact, upright habit slots easily among perennials, simplifying design choices for the cottage‑garden fan |
| Own-root long-term planting in a family garden |
As an own-root rose, King David forms its natural bush shape in situ, recovering better from winter damage and pruning, building a stable, long-lived planting that rewards the patient long‑term planner |
| Coastal or exposed suburban front garden |
Good tolerance of summer heat and dry spells, together with solid winter hardiness down to about -18 °C, gives reassurance where conditions fluctuate, provided You maintain watering in extended drought, which benefits the cautious Irish gardener |
| Large patio pot on balcony or terrace |
In a minimum 40–50 litre container with well‑drained compost, its moderate size and upright habit keep the plant in proportion, while repeat blooms offer season‑long colour for the space‑conscious apartment owner |
| Neat edging or low hedge along a path |
Spacing at around 35–40 cm creates a low, continuous line of upright plants; although spent blooms may need occasional deadheading, the dense green foliage and repeat flowering suit the style‑minded front‑garden designer |
Decorating ideas
- Copper Glow Border – Line a sunny front path with King David and underplant with blue Salvia nemorosa for a vibrant copper‑and‑indigo look – ideal for homeowners wanting striking kerb appeal
- Cottage Harmony – Mix King David with Geranium pratense and soft grasses for a relaxed, slightly wild cottage border that still stays compact – perfect for rural cottage‑garden enthusiasts
- Patio Statement Pot – Plant a single King David in a 40–50 litre terracotta container, adding trailing thyme around the base for contrast – great for balcony and terrace gardeners with limited space
- Warm Cut-Flower Nook – Dedicate a small bed to 3–5 King David bushes, backed by pale hydrangeas, to give a steady supply of warm‑toned blooms for vases – suited to those who love bringing the garden indoors
- Formal Accent Pair – Flank your front door with two large containers of King David, their upright habit and glowing blooms framing the entrance – ideal for those who like a tidy, formal look without fussy upkeep
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as TANmarsa, marketed as King David hybrid tea rose TANmarsa; ARS exhibition name Ashram. Belongs to the hybrid tea group and is suitable as a cut and garden rose. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Hans Jürgen Evers (Rosen Tantau, Germany). Introduced and registered in 1998, with German breeding background. Developed for strong flower form and colour with reliable garden performance. |
| Growth and structure |
Upright, compact hybrid tea bush reaching about 60–80 cm in height and 50–70 cm in spread. Carries moderately thorny stems and dense, medium-dark green, slightly glossy foliage that clothes the plant well. |
| Flower morphology |
Very large, high‑centred, pointed-budded blooms on mainly solitary stems. Semi-double flowers with roughly 17–25 petals open in classic hybrid tea form, ideal for cutting and formal displays in the garden or indoors. |
| Colour and phenology |
Rich copper‑orange with a warm orange base and coppery tinge. Buds open vibrant, then lighten to peach‑orange with a rosy hint. Colour lightens moderately as blooms age, remaining attractive through repeat flowering cycles. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Light, pleasantly fruity fragrance of subtle intensity; perceptible on close approach without being overpowering. Suits front gardens and seating areas where a gentle scent is preferred over strongly perfumed varieties. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Hip set is usually sparse; when present, small ellipsoidal hips of about 8–12 mm, orange‑red at maturity. Ornamental effect is modest and the plant is primarily grown for its flowers rather than its hips. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to approximately -21 to -18 °C (H7, USDA 6b). Disease resistance is medium for black spot, mildew and rust, so occasional preventive care may be needed, especially in humid seasons or enclosed plantings. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in a sunny site with good air movement and drainage. Suitable for beds, specimen planting, hedging and large containers. Space at 35–65 cm depending on use; maintain watering in heat and deadhead to encourage repeat bloom. |
King David offers rich copper-orange blooms, compact upright growth and reliable repeat flowering on a durable own-root plant that settles in for years of easy enjoyment, so You can choose it with confidence for your garden.
