SEALED WITH A KISS™ – dark burgundy hybrid tea rose – SIMwhat
If You dream of a romantic rose that simply fits into everyday life, SEALED WITH A KISS™ is a dark, velvety hybrid tea that gives You classic, long-stemmed blooms without demanding complicated care. Bred in New Zealand and supplied as a pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL own-root plant, it settles steadily into Irish gardens, coping well with our humid conditions and the kind of rainfall that often challenges other roses. The strong, classic rose perfume and exhibition-style, high-centred blooms make it ideal both for cutting into vases and for admiring by the front path. Its good disease resistance keeps foliage healthy with minimal spraying, while the upright, compact habit suits typical family borders and cottage-style front gardens. In the first year roots establish, in the second the framework thickens, and by the third year You can enjoy its full ornamental effect with repeat flushes of deep burgundy flowers. Regular deadheading keeps the bush tidy and encourages more blooms, yet overall maintenance remains pleasantly simple. Over time, the own-root structure supports a long lifespan, so the plant becomes a reliable, characterful feature that You can enjoy for many seasons.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden focal point near the entrance |
The upright, hybrid tea form and large, velvety burgundy blooms create an immediate sense of welcome at the gate or front door, giving a smart but romantic look that works well in small Irish front gardens for the busy yet style-conscious homeowner |
| Cutting bed for home-grown bouquets |
Long, straight stems with solitary, high-centred flowers make SEALED WITH A KISS™ perfect for cutting, so You can bring richly scented, classic roses indoors without relying on shop bouquets, ideal for those who enjoy simple, rewarding flower arranging at home |
| Small rose group in a mixed border |
Planted in groups of 3–5, its repeat-flowering habit and dark blooms provide depth and rhythm among perennials and grasses, giving a structured yet soft effect that suits low-effort flower beds for the time-pressed family gardener |
| Urban front garden with limited space |
Moderate height and spread mean it fits neatly into narrow beds along drives or railings, adding colour without overwhelming the space, ideal where You want impact from the pavement side but only have time for straightforward upkeep |
| Cottage-style border with complementary climbers |
The deep burgundy flowers combine beautifully with lighter clematis or Japanese creeper, giving a storybook cottage effect; its own-root longevity lets the border mature gracefully, suiting those who like planting once and watching it evolve over the years |
| Low-intervention ornamental bed for beginners |
Good resistance to major fungal diseases and a reliable remontant habit mean fewer worries about spraying and complex pruning, making it a confidence-building choice for new rose growers who want flowers without feeling technical or overwhelmed |
| Patio or balcony container planting |
In a 40–50 litre container with decent drainage, this compact, upright rose forms an elegant feature for balconies or paved patios, especially in coastal or wet areas where it copes better than fussier varieties with frequent wind and showers |
| Long-term specimen rose in a family garden |
As an own-root plant it develops a stable framework over the first three years and can regenerate well after weather damage, giving a durable, characterful specimen that fits families planning a long-lived, low-drama garden for shared enjoyment |
Decorating ideas
- VELVET GATEWAY – Line a short path with two or three plants on each side, underplanted with soft lavender or catmint to highlight the burgundy blooms – ideal for homeowners who want a welcoming, scented entrance without complex design work
- EVENING BOUQUET CORNER – Create a small cutting patch with SEALED WITH A KISS™ backed by ornamental grasses, giving ready-made stems for vases – perfect for beginners who enjoy bringing home-grown flowers indoors
- CITY BALCONY JEWEL – Grow one plant in a 40–50 litre pot with trailing ivy or thyme around the rim for greenery – great for urban dwellers seeking a single, impactful rose that is easy to manage
- COTTAGE ROMANCE – Combine with pale pink Clematis montana ‘Elizabeth’ along a low fence for layered colour and texture – suited to rural cottage gardeners looking for a long-lived, storybook-style border
- CALM FAMILY BORDER – Mix into a simple border with hydrangeas and evergreen shrubs so its dark blooms pop against steady greenery – ideal for busy families wanting a neat, dependable garden frame
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as SIMwhat, marketed as SEALED WITH A KISS™ hybrid tea rose SIMwhat; belongs to the Hybrid Tea commercial group and exhibition tea hybrid category. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Nola M. Simpson at Egmont Roses, New Zealand; introduced in 2014 in the United Kingdom by Style Roses and Egmont Roses; exact parentage is not recorded in available data. |
| Growth and structure |
Upright bush, typically 85–115 cm tall with a 60–80 cm spread; moderately dense, dark green, matt foliage and moderate prickliness; suited to specimen planting or grouped in small beds. |
| Flower morphology |
Fully double, high-centred, pointed-budded hybrid tea blooms borne mostly singly; 26–30 petals and large flower size; very double flowers often benefit from deadheading as self-cleaning is relatively weak. |
| Colour and phenology |
Deep, velvety dark burgundy to crimson-red with blackish shading; buds are almost blackish purplish-red, opening to rich velvety blooms that show only slight lightening in strong sun; remontant with a generous second flush. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, long-range classic rose fragrance; blooms are well suited for scented garden corners and for cutting into vases where the perfume can be appreciated indoors over several days in suitable conditions. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Rose hip set is generally low due to the very double flowers; where formed, hips are spherical, dark red (RHS 187A) and around 12–18 mm in diameter, adding occasional late-season interest. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Rated resistant to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); does not tolerate prolonged drought and benefits from regular watering in warm weather. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers a sunny position with good soil preparation and drainage; ideal spacing 60 cm for mass planting or 90 cm for specimens; planting density around 2.8–3.2 plants/m²; maintenance is generally low with routine feeding and deadheading. |
SEALED WITH A KISS™ offers rich fragrance, long-stemmed burgundy blooms and reliable, low-maintenance performance from a durable own-root plant, making it an easy, long-term choice if You would like a romantic hybrid tea in Your garden.
