SHALOM – orange-red park rose - Poulsen
Bring a feeling of peace and colour to your front garden with Shalom, a characterful orange-red shrub rose that settles in reliably, even in Ireland’s rainfall-prone, heavier soils and changeable summers. This tall, upright park rose builds into a generous, bushy hedge or specimen, its dark, glossy foliage forming a rich backdrop to clusters of bright, semi-double blooms from early summer with a rewarding second flush. Moderately attractive to bees, the open flowers offer easy pollen access, making it a friendly choice for a more natural, cottage-style border. Supplied as a well-rooted, own-root plant in a handy 2-litre pot, you simply plant, water and let it establish, with the root system settling in during the first year, strong shoots following in the second and full ornamental impact by the third. With medium maintenance needs and straightforward pruning, Shalom suits busy gardeners who want a bold, long-lived rose that becomes part of the garden with reassuring ease.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden focal shrub |
Shalom’s upright habit and 150–210 cm height make it ideal as a welcoming focal shrub near the front door or along a drive, giving a vertical accent that stays in scale with typical Irish family gardens, reassuring for the time-poor homeowner. |
| Informal flowering hedge |
Planted at 80–90 cm spacings, Shalom forms a loose, flowering screen, with dense dark foliage and bright orange-red clusters covering the stems; the own-root base ensures gaps refill over time, useful for the practical gardener. |
| Small group in mixed border |
Groups of 1–3 plants slot easily into mixed borders, the semi-double, cluster-flowered blooms weaving among perennials, while moderate disease resistance copes well in Ireland’s humid, fungus-prone conditions, giving confidence to the cautious beginner. |
| Cottage-style pollinator corner |
The semi-double flowers with accessible stamens offer moderate pollinator appeal and a relaxed look; pair with low yarrow or dwarf heuchera for a soft, cottage feel that suits wildlife-aware families. |
| Specimen rose in lawn |
Used as a solitary specimen at about 150 cm spacing from other shrubs, Shalom’s tall, upright framework and recurring blooms give season-long colour without fussy shaping, fitting neatly into the plans of the busy householder. |
| Cutting for informal indoor bunches |
The large, cupped, semi-double flowers on cluster stems are excellent for relaxed, home-cut bouquets; the bright orange-red tones light up a kitchen table, rewarding those who like simple home arrangements yet value low-fuss care. |
| Large container on terrace or balcony |
In a minimum 40–50 litre container with good drainage, Shalom performs well as an upright feature, its own-root system gradually filling the pot for long-term use, especially appreciated by urban gardeners seeking durable plantings. |
| Long-term structure in new gardens |
As an own-root shrub rose, Shalom knits in gradually: year one prioritises rooting, year two brings stronger shoots, and by year three you enjoy its full height and coverage, ideal for new-build owners planning lasting plantings. |
Decorating ideas
- Warm Welcome Border – Line a short path with 2–3 Shalom roses underplanted with dwarf heuchera for year-round foliage contrast and welcoming orange-red blooms – ideal for front-garden focused homeowners.
- Cottage Hedge Mix – Combine a loose Shalom hedge with low yarrow and ornamental grasses, letting the semi-double flowers and airy textures create a relaxed, cottage-style boundary – perfect for rural family gardens.
- Sunset Patio Feature – Plant one Shalom in a 50-litre terracotta pot, skirted with trailing thyme or lobelia, to bring vertical colour and easy care to a sunny patio – suited to busy urban balcony and terrace users.
- Pollinator Patch – Anchor a pollinator corner with Shalom, threading in yarrow and liatris for staggered height and a soft, naturalistic look that still stays tidy – great for wildlife-minded beginners.
- Lawn Spotlight – Place a single Shalom in the lawn with a round mulch ring and simple edging plants like low nepeta for a bold, stand-alone feature – appealing to those wanting one strong, low-fuss statement rose.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Registered as POULsha, marketed as Shalom – orange-red park rose, a shrub rose in the Park - shrub rose collection; ARS exhibition name Shalom, a characterful park-type shrub. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Niels Dines Poulsen, Poulsen Roser A/S, Denmark, from 'Korona' seedlings; bred 1972, introduced and registered 1973, reflecting classic Scandinavian park rose breeding. |
| Growth and structure |
Tall, upright shrub reaching about 150–210 cm high and 80–120 cm wide, with dense, dark green, glossy foliage and moderate prickliness, forming a substantial structural rose for beds or hedging. |
| Flower morphology |
Semi-double, cupped blooms with 13–25 petals, borne in clusters on branching stems, flower size large at roughly 2.75–3.95 inches, repeating with a generous second flush in suitable conditions. |
| Colour and phenology |
Fiery orange-red blend; buds deep orange-red clearing to vivid orange-red in full bloom, then gently fading to orange-pink with a bronzy sheen, giving an evolving colour display through the flowering cycle. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
No noticeable fragrance; selected primarily for its structural value, colour effect and garden performance rather than scent, suitable where visual impact and ease of care are the main priorities. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Sparse, small orange-red, egg-shaped hips, around 8–12 mm, forming occasionally; a subtle seasonal feature rather than a heavy-fruiting variety, adding light autumn interest without significant mess. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (USDA 6b, RHS H7, Swedish zone 3), with moderate disease resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust; moderate heat tolerance but needs regular watering in dry spells. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in sunny sites; medium maintenance with occasional plant protection. Recommended spacings: 90 cm for mass planting, 80 cm for hedges, 150 cm for specimens; 1.2–1.4 plants/m² for structured schemes. |
Shalom offers tall, structural colour, moderate pollinator interest and durable own-root growth for long-term hedges or specimens, giving you an easy-care, long-lived park rose that settles in reliably; consider it if you want a straightforward, lasting choice.
