AMALTHEA – red nostalgic rose - pharmaROSA®
If You dream of a romantic shrub that simply fits into a family garden and copes calmly with humidity-driven Irish conditions, Amalthea is a richly petalled choice that suits You without fuss. Its bushy, upright shrub stays pleasantly compact, making it easy to place in front gardens, smaller borders and cottage-style beds. The XL rosette blooms open from deep buds into velvety, raspberry-toned flowers with a refined, nostalgic character, ideal where You want a classic look without complicated pruning. Own-root plants build strength from below, giving long-term stability and reliable regrowth if winter or weather ever knocks them back. In the first year the plant focuses on roots, in the second on building shoots, and by the third year it shows its full ornamental value with generous, repeat flowering. Moderate disease resistance and a tea-scented, fragrance-rich bloom display make Amalthea an inviting option for beginners and busy gardeners alike.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden focal shrub near the entrance |
Forms a compact, upright bush that is easy to position by a path or doorway, giving a neat, romantic welcome without overgrowing a small Irish front garden, well suited to busy homeowners who value order and charm for beginners |
| Low-maintenance ornamental bed in heavy, moist soil |
As an own-root shrub it settles steadily and ages well, coping reliably where Atlantic winds bring frequent rain and heavier ground, provided You ensure basic drainage, so it suits gardeners seeking long-lived structure for hobbyists |
| Small group planting of 3–5 roses in a border |
Uniform, bushy growth and repeat flowering create a coherent block of colour when planted in small groups, ideal where You want a tidy, romantic border effect without intricate design work for urban-owners |
| Mixed cottage-style bed with perennials |
The full, rosette blooms and mid-green foliage blend easily with soft perennials such as lady’s mantle or honesty, giving a relaxed cottage feel while remaining structurally tidy for cottage-gardeners |
| Cutting corner for home-arranged bouquets |
XL, very double flowers with a sweet tea scent make attractive cut stems; a few bushes can supply regular blooms for small vases, helping You enjoy garden colour indoors with minimal extra effort for home-decorators |
| Feature shrub in a small family lawn border |
Its moderate size and compact habit mean it sits comfortably at lawn edges, providing colour without demanding complex pruning; occasional deadheading is usually enough to keep it looking presentable for time-poor |
| Large container on a sheltered patio (40–50 litre minimum) |
Own-root growth adapts well to larger containers, and in a 40–50 litre pot with regular watering and feed it gives a stable, long-lived patio feature that develops character over the years for balcony-owners |
| Small ornamental hedge or edging row |
Regular, upright growth and recommended close spacing allow a low, flowering line along paths or driveways, providing a gently formal look that stays manageable for family-gardeners |
Decorating ideas
- Romantic Front Step Welcome – Plant Amalthea beside the front path with lady’s mantle and dwarf lavender to frame your doorway in soft raspberry-pink and lime-green froth – ideal for homeowners wanting an elegant but easy-care entrance.
- Cottage Bed Glow – Combine Amalthea with honesty, foxgloves and hardy geraniums for a loose, cottage-style border where its rosette blooms provide dependable structure – perfect for rural gardeners who like a relaxed, nostalgic look.
- Patio Feature Container – Grow one Amalthea in a 40–50 litre terracotta pot with trailing thyme and low rosemary for scent and structure – great for urban balconies or patios where space is limited but romance is welcome.
- Neighbour-Friendly Hedge – Line a short boundary with a row of Amalthea, underplanting with lady’s mantle to soften the base and catch petals – suited to families wanting a colourful but modest-height front-garden divider.
- Cutting Corner Mix – Dedicate a small border to Amalthea with tall grasses and white phlox so You can cut scented, raspberry-toned stems that pair beautifully in jugs indoors – appealing to beginners who enjoy simple home arranging.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Amalthea Romantic rose pharmaROSA®, a Romantica shrub nostalgia rose from the Romantic rose collection; commercial garden variety with verified cultivar authenticity for consumer planting. |
| Origin and breeding |
Discovered and introduced by PharmaRosa®, bred in France, 2011; own-root production for garden reliability. Exact parentage is not known; selected for ornamental performance and garden suitability. |
| Growth and structure |
Compact, bushy, upright shrub reaching about 75–105 cm high and 45–75 cm wide. Mid-green, slightly glossy dense foliage, moderately thorny stems; suitable for borders, low hedges and specimen use. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, rosette-shaped flowers with more than 40 petals, XL size from around 3.5 inches across. Produced in clusters of three to five blooms per stem, creating full, romantic flower heads. |
| Colour and phenology |
Deep wine-red with raspberry tones, opening vivid and saturated then softening to raspberry–powder pink before fading. Medium colour retention; remontant, with generous second flushes through the season. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Medium-strength sweet, tea-scented fragrance that is clearly noticeable on warm, still days. Primarily ornamental but adds atmospheric scent near seating areas, doors and frequently used paths. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Produces a small number of spherical rose hips, around 8–12 mm across, in a dull red RHS 46A tone; hips are not typically a dominant ornamental feature of this variety. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish Zone 3). Average heat and drought tolerance; needs watering in prolonged dry spells. Resistant to powdery mildew and black spot; rust resistance moderate. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with reasonable drainage; medium maintenance with occasional plant protection. Plant 40 cm apart in masses, 35 cm for hedges, 65 cm as specimens; suitable for borders, specimen use and cutting. |
AMALTHEA – red nostalgic rose - pharmaROSA® offers compact, repeat-flowering colour, medium fragrance and long-lived own-root reliability, making it a reassuring choice if You want a romantic rose that simply settles in and performs.
