MISTER LINCOLN – deep red hybrid tea rose - Swim & Weeks
If You dream of a classic, tall garden rose with romantic character that simply gets on with growing in Irish conditions, Mister Lincoln is a reliable choice for beds, borders and specimen planting. Its vigorous, upright habit and long, straight stems make it ideal for cut flowers, while the richly velvety deep-red blooms hold their colour well, even when summers turn humid and the soil stays heavy after rain thanks to its good tolerance of our wetter, heavier ground conditions. This variety repeats flowering generously through the season, rewarding basic deadheading with flush after flush of high-centred blooms. Its very strong, classic rose fragrance fills the air around paths and seating areas, bringing an old-world feel to modern family gardens. As an own-root plant in the pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre range, it settles in steadily for a long lifespan, building up roots in year one, taller shoots in year two and full garden impact by year three. Medium care needs suit hobby gardeners who are happy to give occasional attention, while its proven award-winning heritage reassures You that it will reward that small effort with lasting beauty.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden focal point |
Mister Lincoln’s tall, upright structure and striking deep-red flowers create a clear vertical accent near entrances or along drives, giving a smart, formal look from the street without complex planting plans, ideal for the busy homeowner |
| Cutting patch or cutting row |
Long, straight stems with solitary, high-centred blooms are perfect for vases and arrangements, so a short row in the veg or utility garden lets You harvest armfuls of richly scented flowers for the house, suiting the practical flower-loving gardener |
| Feature rose in a mixed border |
The vigorous, 150–200 cm growth and moderately dense foliage stand out among perennials and shrubs, giving height and colour from early summer onwards while still fitting a standard border depth, appealing to mixed-border enthusiasts |
| Small group planting (1–3 plants) |
Planting a tight group allows the repeat-blooming habit to shine, building a strong block of colour across the season with simple deadheading, suiting those who like impact from a few plants rather than elaborate layouts |
| Formal rose bed or hybrid tea collection |
Classic high-centred, double flowers and premium bronze cultivar merit, plus major international awards, make this rose a dependable choice for traditional rose beds and collectors who value proven performance, perfect for the discerning rose collector |
| Sunny patio in a large container |
In a 40–50 litre planter with good drainage and regular watering, Mister Lincoln’s height and perfume transform a patio or balcony into an outdoor room, especially in sheltered Irish urban spots, attractive for space-conscious residents |
| Warm, sheltered family seating area |
The very strong, classic rose fragrance becomes most noticeable where people sit and linger; one or two plants close to benches or terraces create an evening-scented retreat, suited to fragrance-loving families |
| Heavy or wetter Irish garden soils with drainage improvement |
Good heat and drought tolerance, combined with resistance to common fungal diseases, means Mister Lincoln copes well once established in improved heavy clay beds often found in Irish gardens, reassuring for low-fuss front-garden owners |
Decorating ideas
- Cottage walkway drama – Line a path with Mister Lincoln underplanted with Stachys byzantina for silver foliage contrast and a soft edge – ideal for lovers of informal cottage-style gardens
- Classic red-and-white border – Combine with white hydrangeas and pale perennials to let the deep-red blooms stand out cleanly – perfect for those seeking a crisp, traditional front garden
- Fragrant patio trio – Grow a single plant in a large container and flank it with lavender and rosemary for scent layers around seating – suited to small-plot urban gardeners
- Rose-and-clematis pillar – Train Mister Lincoln as a tall specimen and weave Clematis 'Fairy Slippers' through for extended flowering up a support – appealing to fans of vertical accents
- Evening entertaining corner – Position near an outdoor table with soft-toned lanterns and low grasses so the scent and colour frame summer dinners – ideal for sociable homeowners
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as Mister Lincoln, ARS exhibition name Mister Lincoln; trade name Mister Lincoln Hybrid tea rose Mister Lincoln; named in honour of Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the USA. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Herbert C. Swim and O. L. Weeks in the USA from Chrysler Imperial × Charles Mallerin; introduced 1965 by Star Roses and Plants, breeding completed 1964 by Weeks Rose Growers. |
| Awards and recognitions |
All-America Rose Selections (AARS) 1965, James Alexander Gamble Fragrance Medal 2003, Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit, confirming strong garden and exhibition value. |
| Growth and structure |
Upright, vigorous shrub 150–200 cm tall and 75–105 cm wide, with moderately dense, slightly glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickliness; forms a clear vertical presence in beds and borders. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, high-centred blooms with 26–39 petals, classic pointed buds and solitary presentation; repeat-flowering across the season, with the second flush also abundantly produced on long, straight stems. |
| Colour and phenology |
Deep, velvety ruby-red flowers, darker in bud with a purplish veil when first opening; colour holds well, only slightly fading in hot weather, giving a consistently rich, dramatic display in bloom. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, long-lasting perfume with a classic rose character, noticeable even at a short distance; ideal for seating areas, entrances and cutting gardens where scent is a key design element. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Hip set is usually sparse due to the full double blooms; when produced, hips are small, ovoid, red-orange and around 10–14 mm in diameter, adding minor late-season interest. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to about −26 to −23 °C (USDA 5b, RHS H7); resistant to powdery mildew and black spot, medium against rust; tolerates heat but needs regular watering in prolonged dry spells. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with well-drained soil; medium maintenance with regular deadheading and occasional plant protection; spacing from 55 to 100 cm depending on use, 2.5–2.9 plants/m² for mass plantings. |
Mister Lincoln offers tall, fragrant deep-red blooms, repeat flowering and reliable performance, and as an own-root rose it builds long-term strength in Your garden, making it a thoughtful choice if You want beauty with manageable care.
