SIMPLY STUNNING – carmine-red hybrid tea rose – Delbard
Simply Stunning lives up to its name: a compact, upright hybrid tea that gives You large, velvety carmine-red blooms with a romantic cupped form and a fresh, red-berry fragrance. Bred by Delbard, it is ideal when You want one special rose to stand out in a front garden bed, by the doorstep or in a favourite border. Its dense, glossy dark green foliage provides a smart background for the long-stemmed flowers, perfect for cutting for vases at home. As an own-root plant it settles in gradually, building a long-lived, reliable framework that copes steadily with our humid Irish weather and the challenges of heavy soil and rainy spells. In the first year it concentrates on roots, in the second on strong new shoots, and by the third year it shows its full ornamental value in a well-shaped bush. With regular deadheading and modest care, You can enjoy repeat waves of carmine-red blooms from summer into autumn, giving a confident sense that this rose will simply work in an everyday family garden.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden focal point |
Upright, dense growth and large, carmine-red flowers make it ideal as a single specimen near a path, gate or front door, where its refined shape stays tidy and easy to manage for the busy homeowner |
| Small mixed flower bed around the home |
Its moderate height and dark, glossy foliage blend well with lower perennials, giving structure without overwhelming the space, so You get a neat, classical look in an average family bed with straightforward seasonal tasks for the occasional gardener |
| Romantic cutting patch |
Long-stemmed, solitary blooms with very double, cupped petals are made for vases, allowing You to cut scented, deep carmine-red roses regularly while the bush refills with new buds, rewarding anyone who enjoys bringing flowers indoors as a relaxed hobbyist |
| Pairing with lavender or salvia edging |
The intense carmine-red flowers stand out beautifully over a low edge of lavender or woodland sage, creating a simple, cottage-style border that suppresses weeds and still stays easy to keep in shape for lovers of informal, low-effort design |
| Small group planting of 3–5 bushes |
Planted at the recommended spacing, a group forms a coherent block of colour with repeat flowering, giving impact from a modest area and providing a dependable, long-term display that suits those planning a lasting, low-fuss investment |
| Partial-shade town garden corner |
Performs acceptably in partial shade, so it fits many Irish urban plots where sunlight is limited, still producing richly coloured flowers and healthy foliage for people working within real-world site constraints as practical planners |
| Large patio container (40–50 litres minimum) |
Its upright habit and medium vigour suit a substantial pot with good drainage, giving a movable accent for balconies or paved areas, especially where heavy, wet ground is an issue in our often waterlogged conditions for container-loving residents |
| Classic park- or lawn-edge rose feature |
Medium maintenance needs and steady hardiness make it suitable for simple, formal rows or arcs along lawns, where regular feeding and deadheading repay You with long flowering and a mature, own-root structure valued by long-term minded beginners |
Decorating ideas
- Doorstep Welcome – Plant one bush by the path with lavender at its feet for a fragrant, tidy entrance – ideal for homeowners wanting a smart look with minimal fuss
- Cottage Trio – Group three roses with woodland sage and catmint for a soft, romantic cottage bed – suits lovers of traditional country style in compact gardens
- Crimson Cutting Corner – Dedicate a small sunny patch to this rose alone, giving regular long-stemmed blooms for vases – perfect for those who enjoy arranging their own flowers
- Patio Showpiece – Grow it in a 40–50 litre terracotta pot with trailing thyme to soften the rim – great for balcony and courtyard gardeners who need portable structure
- Formal Lawn Edge – Line up several plants in a gentle curve, underplanting with low box or hebe for a classic frame to the lawn – ideal for fans of clean, formal lines
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as DELroufra. Trade names: Simply Stunning, Scented Memories of Love, DELroufra. ARS exhibition name La Rose des 4 Vents from the Scented Memories of Love collection. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Georges Delbard in France, breeding year 2005. Introduced 2006 by Georges Delbard SA and Matthews Nurseries Ltd. Parentage officially unknown, selected for flower quality and fragrance. |
| Growth and structure |
Upright hybrid tea with dense, dark green, glossy foliage and moderate prickliness. Typical height 80–120 cm with 50–70 cm spread, forming a well-structured bush when spaced correctly in beds or borders. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, cupped blooms with more than 40 petals, usually borne singly on stems. Large flowers around 7–10 cm across, remontant with generous second flushes when deadheaded and fed regularly through the season. |
| Colour and phenology |
Intense carmine-red overall, with deeper tones toward the centre. Buds dark ruby red, freshly opened flowers bright carmine-red, outer petals later fading to raspberry red while the centre remains richer, especially in cooler weather. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Noticeable, medium-strength scent with a fresh, red-berry character rather than heavy spice. Fragrance best appreciated on still, mild days and from cut stems indoors in simple room arrangements. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Rose-hip set is usually poor because of the very double flowers, but occasional small spherical red hips 8–12 mm in diameter may appear if some spent blooms are left uncut at the end of the season. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to about −23 to −26 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 4, USDA 5b). Disease resistance medium to black spot, powdery mildew and rust; prefers regular care and timely treatments in humid seasons for best foliage. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to beds, specimen planting, cutting and park use. Medium maintenance with regular watering, feeding and deadheading. Allow about 55 cm in mass plantings, 50 cm in hedges, 95 cm for specimens for balanced development. |
Simply Stunning offers richly coloured, fragrant blooms, reliable repeat flowering and a stable, long-lived own-root framework; a thoughtful choice if You would like a beautiful rose that fits calmly into everyday garden care.
