RHEA – red hybrid tea rose – pharmaROSA®
If You dream of a classic red rose that is both beautiful and easy to live with, Rhea makes it simple to enjoy reliable garden colour without taking on a new hobby. Its bushy, compact habit forms a naturally tidy shape, ideal for Irish front gardens where space is precious and winds can be brisk along the coasts and estuaries with humid air. The very full, velvety wine-red blooms appear on sturdy stems that are perfect for cutting, so You can bring that rich colour indoors as well. Rhea flowers more than once through the season, offering generous repeat flushes with remontant performance from summer well into autumn. As an own-root rose in a 2-litre pot, it settles in steadily and builds a long-lived, resilient shrub with less fuss. Year one focuses on strong roots, year two on building healthy shoots, and by year three You enjoy full ornamental value with a stable, mature rose that fits naturally into Your garden. Its low-maintenance, disease-resistant nature means fewer sprays and less worrying, while the almost thornless stems make everyday care and family use around paths and seating areas much more comfortable.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden focal shrub |
Rhea’s bushy, compact habit stays neat without constant pruning, giving a structured focal point by your front door or along a drive; the own-root plant gradually matures into a long-lived, reliable presence for busy homeowners who prefer low-effort beauty |
| Small groups in ornamental beds |
Planted in groups of 3–5 at around 60 cm spacing, Rhea creates a dense, even patch of velvety red blooms with dark green foliage, ideal for simple, high-impact borders that look “finished” without complicated planting schemes, especially appreciated by beginner gardeners |
| Cutting patch near the house |
The long, sturdy, almost thornless stems and large, very full flowers make excellent cut blooms; a small bed near the back door can supply vases for the kitchen and sitting room throughout the season, suiting those who like to enjoy garden flowers indoors as everyday luxury |
| Compact rose hedge or low divider |
At 75–105 cm tall with a 50–70 cm spread, Rhea works well as a low hedge along paths or to edge a lawn; regular but light deadheading keeps the line flowering and tidy, suiting families who want gentle structure without formal topiary, particularly in family spaces |
| Container rose for patio or balcony |
In a minimum 40–50 litre container with good drainage, Rhea’s compact, bushy growth and repeat flowering provide season-long colour on patios or balconies, adapting well to varied microclimates when watered and fed regularly, ideal for urban gardeners seeking simple impact |
| Feature rose in cottage-style borders |
The deep wine-red rosette blooms and strong scent lend a romantic, traditional feel among cottage favourites such as foxgloves and hardy perennials, giving a classic rose look without high-maintenance demands, a good match for those creating a relaxed country-feel garden |
| Easy-care bed in exposed or coastal sites |
Rhea’s good disease resistance and tolerance of heat and short dry spells suit Irish conditions where wet, breezy weather and shifting sun can challenge fussier roses, making it dependable where you want a rose that copes without constant interventions for peace-of-mind planting |
| Mixed planting with grasses and groundcovers |
Combined with sedums, low carex and saxifrage, Rhea offers vertical interest and rich colour above a tapestry of foliage, while its own-root vigour ensures that the shrub knits into the scene over time, keeping the composition balanced for gardeners who appreciate long-term harmony |
Decorating ideas
- Doorway Welcome – Plant a single Rhea by your front step with dwarf sedges and soft perennials to frame the entrance in classic wine-red blooms – ideal for homeowners wanting a neat, inviting first impression
- Romantic Cottage Strip – Line a sunny cottage-style path with Rhea and airy grasses, underplanted with saxifrage, for a gently structured but relaxed border – perfect for those who enjoy traditional charm without strict formality
- Urban Patio Feature – Grow Rhea in a 40–50 litre container with trailing sedums for a low-fuss focal point on a balcony or small terrace – suited to city gardeners seeking maximum colour from limited space
- Evening Scent Corner – Place a small group of Rhea near a seating area so the strong fragrance and velvety flowers can be enjoyed up close – great for people who unwind outdoors after work
- Simple Cutting Bed – Dedicate a short row of Rhea behind a vegetable patch to provide reliable, fragrant stems for the house – ideal for practical gardeners who like useful, productive ornamentals
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Rhea is a hybrid tea rose marketed as Rhea Hybrid tea rose pharmaROSA®, belonging to the Hybrid Tea rose group and hybrid tea commercial type; it is used both as a garden shrub and for cut flowers. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred and introduced by PharmaRosa®, discovered in Germany in 2002; parentage is unknown and formal registration dates are not recorded, but cultivar authenticity for this product line is verified for consumer planting. |
| Growth and structure |
Forms a bushy, compact shrub about 75–105 cm high and 50–70 cm wide, with moderately dense, dark green, slightly glossy foliage and very few thorns, making it easier to handle in narrow beds and along paths. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, solitary blooms on stems, very full with 40 or more petals in a rosette form; repeat flowering with a generous second flush, though spent blooms benefit from deadheading as they do not fall cleanly on their own. |
| Colour and phenology |
Rich wine-red flowers with velvety depth and subtle warm tones; colour holds well, darkening at the petal edges, with slight fading only in high heat, and overall provides a long season of ornamental display in temperate gardens. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strongly scented hybrid tea with a classic rose aroma detectable from a distance; the intense fragrance enhances its value as both a garden feature near seating areas and a cut flower for indoor arrangements. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Rose hips form only occasionally due to the very double, full blooms; when present, they are typically round, about 10–15 mm in diameter and not a major ornamental or wildlife feature of the cultivar. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to around –18 to –21 °C (USDA 6b, RHS H7), with good tolerance of heat and short dry spells; shows strong resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust under normal garden conditions. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with well-drained soil; plant 60 cm apart for beds, 50 cm for low hedges or 100 cm as a specimen, or in a 40–50 litre container, keeping moisture and feeding consistent for repeat flowering and balanced growth. |
Rhea Hybrid tea rose pharmaROSA® offers rich wine-red blooms, strong fragrance and a compact, low-maintenance shrub that matures steadily as an own-root plant; You may find it a reassuring, long-term choice for your garden.
