OKLAHOMA™ – dark red hybrid tea rose
If You dream of a classic, velvety red rose with truly romantic character that still fits easily into an average Irish family garden, Oklahoma™ is a rewarding choice. This upright hybrid tea carries large, high-centred blooms in a deep, almost blackish burgundy tone that stays dramatic right through opening, giving You the archetypal long-stemmed rose look outdoors. Its very strong, sweet fragrance is rich and lingering, so a single flowering stem can perfume a small patio or seating area. On its own roots it forms a stable, long-lived bush that can regenerate well after pruning and gradually settles into a balanced shape, offering reassuring reliability for busy gardeners. Once established in reasonably drained soil it copes steadily with Ireland’s damp weather and the challenges of a humid, fungus-prone climate, especially when given normal seasonal care. Over time the plant devotes its first year mainly to building roots, the second to stronger shoots, and by the third year it reaches its full ornamental impact, becoming a handsome, long-term feature near paths, doors or favourite outdoor seats.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden focal point near the entrance |
The tall, upright habit and large, high-centred blooms create a clear focal point that feels “special” without demanding advanced gardening skills; a single well-placed bush gives a smart welcome for beginners. |
| Cutting corner for home bouquets |
Long, straight stems and sizeable, exhibition-style flowers make Oklahoma™ ideal for home-cut roses, so You can enjoy luxurious, dark red, strongly perfumed stems indoors while the bush refills with new buds for homeowners. |
| Small groups in ornamental beds (1–3 plants) |
Planting a small group allows the velvety dark flowers and dense foliage to read as a single, impressive feature, yet remains easy to maintain and prune, giving reliable structure and colour for busy gardeners. |
| Mixed border with perennials and grasses |
The dark red blooms contrast beautifully with lighter foliage and companions such as heuchera or feather reed grass, adding depth and a romantic accent to cottage-style borders that stay manageable for hobby gardeners. |
| Seasonal container on patio or balcony (40–50 litre minimum) |
In a large, well-drained 40–50 litre pot, its upright form and repeat flowering bring classic rose elegance to small paved spaces, while a simple watering and feeding routine keeps it thriving for urban gardeners. |
| Fragrant seating area or path edge |
The very strong, classic rose scent carries well on still evenings, so one or two bushes beside a bench or along a short path create a richly perfumed walk-by experience that rewards scent-loving visitors. |
| Long-lived feature rose in a family garden |
As an own-root, bush-forming plant it matures steadily, with roots first, then stronger top growth, becoming a durable, easily rejuvenated rose that can anchor a bed for many years for family-focused gardens. |
| Traditional rose bed in wetter Irish conditions |
When planted in reasonably drained soil and given simple, regular care, its moderate disease resistance copes with Ireland’s humid, fungus-prone climate, suiting those who want roses without complex routines for beginners. |
Decorating ideas
- Classic Entrance Accent – Place one Oklahoma™ on each side of the front path, underplanted with low heuchera, for a formal yet welcoming look – ideal for homeowners wanting smart kerb appeal.
- Romantic Cottage Corner – Combine Oklahoma™ with soft pink or white perennials and a light ornamental grass to create a nostalgic, storybook corner – perfect for fans of country-cottage style.
- Evening Fragrance Nook – Position a single rose close to a bench, with simple companions like dwarf barberry, to enjoy intense perfume on summer evenings – suited to scent-focused garden users.
- Urban Patio Statement – Grow Oklahoma™ in a 40–50 litre container with neutral gravel mulch, letting the dark red blooms dominate – great for busy urban gardeners with limited ground space.
- Cutting-Garden Strip – Line a short bed with a few plants spaced well apart so You can cut stems freely while keeping a neat outline – a good fit for hobby florists at home.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose Oklahoma™; registered cultivar name Oklahoma, ARS exhibition name Oklahoma; part of the hybrid tea rose group, sold as a garden and cutting variety. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Herbert C. Swim and O. L. Weeks at Oklahoma State University, United States; cross of ‘Chrysler Imperial’ × ‘Charles Mallerin’; introduced 1964, registered 1963. |
| Awards and recognitions |
Tokyo Gold Medal, Japan Rose Concours 1963, highlighting its classic hybrid tea flower form and colour impact for show and exhibition use as well as home gardens. |
| Growth and structure |
Upright, bushy hybrid tea with dense, slightly glossy dark green foliage; height around 130–170 cm, spread 100–140 cm; moderately thorny canes with a strong, vertical presence. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, high-centred blooms with 40+ petals; large flowers on mostly solitary stems; classic pointed buds ideal for cutting, with a typical hybrid tea profile in the garden. |
| Colour and phenology |
Deep, velvety burgundy-red with black undertones; very dark buds, opening to uniform dark blooms that fade towards brownish red; remontant with a generous second flush in season. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, sweet, classic rose scent that carries well in the garden; a single open bloom can perfume a small seating area, making it a notable choice for fragrant plantings. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Occasionally forms small, ellipsoid red hips about 12–18 mm across, adding a modest decorative aspect late in the season without being a dominant feature of the plant. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 3, USDA 6b); moderate resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; benefits from standard rose care in damp areas. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Space 115 cm for mass planting, 100 cm for hedging, 175 cm as a specimen; around 0.8–0.9 plants/m²; medium maintenance, with occasional pest and disease control and regular feeding. |
Oklahoma™ offers deeply coloured, classic hybrid tea blooms with powerful fragrance, upright garden presence and long-lived, own-root reliability, making it a rewarding choice if You want a standout rose You can simply plant and enjoy over time.
