Satchmo – orange-red bedding floribunda rose – McGredy
Satchmo brings a bright, orange‑red splash of colour to small Irish gardens while coping well with our humid, changeable weather and the need for good drainage on heavier soils. This bushy floribunda grows into a neat, upright shape with dense, glossy foliage, giving You a well‑filled border without fussy pruning. Clusters of semi‑double flowers repeat generously from summer onwards, with most spent blooms dropping away cleanly, so beds keep their tidy look with very little effort from You. Mild, fresh‑fruity scent and partly open flowers mean it suits family gardens where You want both beauty and visiting bees. As an own‑root plant it settles in steadily, building strong roots in year one, fuller shoots in year two and by year three offering its full ornamental value for the long term. In a 2‑litre pot it is easy to handle and plant, helping You enjoy a reliable, low‑maintenance rose that quietly becomes part of Your garden’s rhythm and feels at home in both town fronts and rural cottages.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden bed by the path |
Bright clusters of orange-red flowers stand out from the pavement, while the compact, bushy habit fits the narrow beds typical of Irish front gardens. Good natural self-cleaning keeps the display smart with minimal deadheading, ideal for a busy homeowner |
| Small mixed border in a family garden |
The neat, upright structure and dark, glossy foliage make an easy backbone for a mixed border alongside perennials or small shrubs. Semi-double blooms repeat well, so colour returns reliably through summer without complicated feeding routines, suiting the relaxed beginner |
| Low bedding groups near the patio |
Planting 3–5 together at the recommended spacing quickly creates a rounded, flower-packed group that looks designed without needing expert planning. Own-root growth knits into a stable, long-lived clump that stays attractive for years, reassuring the cautious gardener |
| Urban front garden with limited time for care |
Satchmo tolerates heat and brief dry spells if watered in long dry periods, coping well with the changeable, damp Atlantic climate typical of many Irish streets. Medium disease resistance and good self-cleaning mean fewer routine tasks, which suits the time-poor city-dweller |
| Pollinator-friendly cottage-style planting |
Semi-double, open flowers with visible stamens are easy for bees to use, while the fruity light fragrance adds charm without overwhelming small spaces. Grouping with cottage favourites creates a soft, traditional look that appeals to wildlife-aware owners |
| Low seasonal hedge or edging strip |
Regular spacing at 35–40 cm forms a tidy, low hedge effect along drives or paths. The bushy habit and dense foliage give clear definition, while own-root plants regenerate well from lower buds if pruned back, giving long-term structure for the practical planner |
| Rose and grass combination bed |
The intense orange-red flowers sit well against the movement and lighter texture of ornamental grasses, while the dark green leaves provide contrast. This simple, modern pairing delivers a designed look with few maintenance steps, attractive for the style-conscious gardener |
| Large container on a sunny terrace |
In a minimum 40–50 litre container with good drainage, Satchmo forms a compact, upright bush covered in repeat clusters, ideal where planting into the ground is not possible. Medium maintenance and easy deadheading make it manageable for the container-focused beginner |
Decorating ideas
- Front-door Welcome – Plant Satchmo near the entrance with low lavender or rosemary to frame the path and enjoy cheerful colour from the street – ideal for urban homeowners wanting an inviting, low-fuss front
- Cottage Mix – Combine Satchmo with scented cranesbill and purple coneflower for a relaxed, country feel that still looks tidy – perfect for rural gardens and cottage-style borders
- Warm Patio Border – Line a small terrace bed with Satchmo and dwarf ornamental grasses to create glowing, wind-softened colour – suited to those who like modern touches with minimal upkeep
- Family Play-Lawn Edge – Use Satchmo in a curved edging around a lawn so flowers are visible from the house without taking up play space – great for families seeking colour with straightforward care
- Container Accent – Plant one Satchmo in a 40–50 litre pot with trailing thyme at the rim for an easy, movable focal point – helpful for beginners working with balconies or paved spaces
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bed rose; registered as Satchmo, also traded as Satchmo Bedding rose Satchmo; ARS exhibition name Satchmo; part of the Bedding rose collection, bush rose / exhibition floribunda category. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Samuel Darragh McGredy IV from ‘Evelyn Fison’ × ‘Diamant’. Breeding work dated 1970 in the United States; introduced 1972 by Jackson & Perkins (USA) and McGredy Roses International in Ireland/New Zealand. |
| Awards and recognitions |
Gold Medal at Le Roeulx in 1970, highlighting garden performance, and Golden Rose Award at The Hague in 1975, confirming lasting ornamental value and reliability in broader European conditions. |
| Growth and structure |
Bushy, upright floribunda, typically 60–90 cm high with 50–70 cm spread. Dense, dark green, glossy foliage provides good ground coverage. Moderately thorny canes; effective as low bedding, edging or small informal hedging in family gardens. |
| Flower morphology |
Semi-double, cup-shaped flowers that open fairly flat in medium clusters. Around 13–25 petals per bloom, diameter medium at 1.5–2.75 inches. Remontant, with the second flush also abundant. Spent blooms usually fall by themselves, reducing deadheading. |
| Colour and phenology |
Vibrant orange-red overall, with slightly lighter petal undersides. Buds dark orange-red; freshly opened flowers bright and clear; colour lightens a little in strong sun yet stays vivid in cooler spells. Colour retention moderate across successive flushes. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Mild, fresh, fruity fragrance that does not dominate seating areas. Semi-double flowers expose stamens, offering partial value for bees and other pollinators. Suitable for gardens where light scent and wildlife interest are both appreciated. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Produces moderate quantities of small, spherical hips, about 8–12 mm in diameter. Colour orange-red (RHS 40A), echoing the flower tone. Decorative in autumn but generally not produced in excessive numbers. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to approximately –21 to –18 °C (H7; USDA 6b; Swedish zone 3). Medium resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust, helped by good air circulation. Tolerates heat provided watering is maintained in prolonged dry periods. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in sunny positions; spacing 40 cm for mass plantings, 35 cm for hedges and about 65 cm as single specimens. Ideal planting density around 5.7–6.5 plants/m². Suitable for beds, borders, parks and urban green spaces, including larger planters. |
Satchmo offers vivid orange-red colour, a compact, bushy habit and naturally tidy, self-cleaning blooms on a long-lived own-root plant, giving You a dependable, low-effort garden rose that is simple to plant and easy to enjoy.
