The petals are a pale, warm pink with a delicate salmon-toned deepening. - dwarf, mini rose - mild, subtly scented rose - rosy character
– Compact, bushy habit for small spaces
– Abundant repeat flowering through the season
– Very double, cup-shaped blooms in clusters
– Elegant pink flowers with salmon centre tones
– Glossy, mid-green foliage for neat structure Gné speisialta: Foirfe do potaí, leapacha agus imeallú i ngairdíní uirbeacha.
Refined floral colours – Lively, pulsating garden
pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre own-root potted rose
18,80 €
3(4172)
SPECIAL FRIEND – pink dwarf-mini rose – KIRspec
If You are looking for a compact rose that simply gets on with the job in a small Irish garden, SPECIAL FRIEND offers neat, bushy growth and soft salmon-pink blooms that open repeatedly all summer, even where space is limited. The dainty, very double flowers appear in clusters, creating a refined cottage-garden feel without demanding complicated pruning, while the dense, glossy foliage keeps the plant looking tidy between flushes. In containers or narrow beds it forms a low, rounded edging that suits front gardens, patios and urban plots, settling in well even in wetter, heavier soils where drainage has been improved. As an own-root plant, it builds up steadily into a durable, well-shaped shrub, and over the first three years it focuses first on roots, then on stronger shoots, and finally on full ornamental impact. Once established, this mini rose rewards You with long-lasting, gently rosy-scented colour and a reassuringly reliable presence in everyday family planting schemes.
Freshly opened bloom of Special Friend, showing a vivid salmon-pink centre and softer pink outer petals.
Special Friend: soft pastel pink closed bud
Special Friend showing its uniform light pink full bloom.
Special Friend forms small, very double, cup-shaped blooms.
Use cases
Target area
Reason
Small front garden bed by the entrance
Its compact, bushy habit and modest height keep views open while providing a soft pink welcome by the front door; repeat flowering means there is seldom a bare patch, ideal for busy homeowners seeking low-fuss charm for their family garden
Patio pot or balcony container
The dwarf size and dense branching suit large containers, and the abundant, small blooms give strong colour close to seating areas; choose at least a 40–50 litre pot so moisture is steady and care is simple, perfect for balcony and patio-focused beginners
Edging along a path or driveway
Regular spacing creates a low, continuous pink hedge that outlines paths neatly without overwhelming the space; the glossy foliage and moderate self-cleaning keep it looking ordered with just occasional deadheading, suiting those who like a structured yet relaxed border
Mixed cottage-style planting with perennials
The warm pink, salmon-tinged blooms blend beautifully with geraniums, yarrow and other cottage perennials, adding a refined, romantic note without taking over; the bushy structure helps fill gaps at the front of beds for gardeners seeking an informal but coordinated look
Urban front garden with limited space
Where only a narrow strip is available, its 45–55 cm spread allows tidy, repeat-flowering colour without crowding paths or parking; the manageable size fits easily around existing paving, ideal for urban owners wanting a rose that behaves well in a compact plot
Low-maintenance family border near play areas
The modest height keeps thorns away from eye level, while the rounded shape and small flowers give gentle colour without dominating; simple seasonal pruning is enough to keep it in shape, providing reassuringly undemanding planting near busy family spaces
Informal mini-rose group of 3–5 plants
Planted as a small group, the repeating clusters create a lively, pulsating carpet of pink that looks impressive from the house or terrace; its own-root nature helps the group mature evenly over time into a stable, long-lived feature appreciated by patient home gardeners
Coastal or exposed west-facing site
In areas with strong winds and frequent rain, the low, dense framework resists rocking, and improved soil structure helps it cope where rainfall and heavier clay soils demand attention to drainage, matching the needs of coastal households seeking robust yet pretty planting
Decorating ideas
Welcoming doorstep trio – Plant three SPECIAL FRIEND roses in matching 40–50 litre pots flanking your front door, underplanted with trailing ivy for a neat, year-round frame to the entrance – ideal for homeowners who like a smart, friendly welcome.
Cottage-style edging – Line a curved path with SPECIAL FRIEND and interplant clumps of yarrow and rock geranium to soften the edges, echoing rural cottage gardens – perfect for those who enjoy romantic, informal planting with clear structure.
Pastel patio corner – Combine SPECIAL FRIEND in a large container with soft blue lobelia and white bacopa cascading over the rim for a pastel cloud of colour – suited to balcony and terrace gardeners who want easy, long-lasting summer displays.
Family-friendly play border – Use SPECIAL FRIEND at the front of a mixed border near lawns, backed with hydrangeas, to give low, colourful structure that stays below eye level – good for families needing safe, attractive planting around play spaces.
Compact rose focus bed – Create a small circular bed of 5 SPECIAL FRIEND plants with a mock orange at the back, giving scented spring blossom followed by waves of pink roses – appealing to beginners who want a simple yet rewarding focal point.
Technical cultivar profile
Parameter
Data
Name and registration
Mini-dwarf patio rose marketed as SPECIAL FRIEND – pink dwarf-mini rose – Kirkham; registered cultivar name KIRspec; ARS approved exhibition name SPECIAL FRIEND; part of the Mini – dwarf rose collection.
Origin and breeding
Bred by Gordon Wilson Kirkham in the United Kingdom from the cross ‘Sheri Anne’ × ‘Pretty Polly’; breeding completed in 1997 and first introduced to the market in 1999 by C & K Jones.
Growth and structure
Compact, bushy shrub rose with dense, mid-green glossy foliage; height around 50–60 cm and spread about 45–55 cm; moderately thorny stems and a naturally rounded, well-filled framework suited to edging and container use.
Flower morphology
Very double, cup-shaped blooms with more than 40 petals, borne in clusters on short stems; small flower size in the S range (approximately 0.5–1.5 inches), repeating well with abundant secondary flushes through the season.
Colour and phenology
Pale warm pink petals with salmon tones, buds a silky pastel pink; freshly opened blooms show vivid salmon-pink centres fading outward, then gradually lighten to almost whitish pink with a faint salmon hint before ageing.
Fragrance and aroma
Gently rosy fragrance of mild strength, noticeable at close range without being overpowering; highly double flowers largely conceal stamens, so the variety is primarily ornamental rather than aimed at pollinator attraction.
Rose hip characteristics
Low hip production due to very double flowers; where formed, hips are small globular spheres about 7–9 mm in diameter, coloured orange-red (RHS 43A), with little visual impact on overall garden appearance.
Resistance and hardiness
Hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C (USDA zone 6b, RHS H7, Swedish zone 3); disease resistance moderate to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; needs regular watering in summer as drought tolerance is limited.
Horticultural recommendations
Best in full sun with well-drained soil; spacing about 45 cm for mass planting, 35 cm for hedges and 80 cm as a specimen; suitable for containers, flower beds, edging, cut flowers and urban green spaces with moderate maintenance.
SPECIAL FRIEND offers compact, repeat-flowering colour in tight spaces, long-lived own-root reliability and easy care in containers or beds, making it a reassuring choice when You would like a small rose that simply performs.
Detailed product attributes
Product Identification Data
Product Name:
SPECIAL FRIEND – pink dwarf-mini rose - Kirkham
Product Type:
pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL - 2-litre own-root potted rose
Flower Colour:
The petals are a pale, warm pink with a delicate salmon-toned deepening.
Closed Bud:
Soft, silky pastel pink, with the tip slightly brighter salmon pink.
Freshly Opened Flower:
A vivid salmon-pink in the centre, gently fading towards the outer edge.
Full Bloom:
Uniform light pink, with a slightly peach-toned centre.
Pre-Fading Flower:
The pink fades markedly to an almost whitish-pink with a subtle salmon tone.
Colour Fading Description:
The pink strongly fades as the bloom opens, becoming almost whitish‑pink before senescence, with a faint touch of salmon at the centre.
Our product is a rose grown with unique pharmaROSA® cultivation technology!
2 litre, own-root, potted rose.
With shoots appropriate to the season.
With roots thoroughly interwoven through the growing medium.
Quality in line with the requirements of the E.N.A. (European Nurserystock Association).
In unique packaging that prevents damage.
Can be planted during frost-free periods.
True-to-type rose plant with an individual identifier.
The pharmaROSA® own-root potted rose is a well-rooted plant that supports reliable establishment when planted and cared for properly, so it can be planted whenever the soil is not frozen.
Stock: several varieties and several stages of development in a short stock section.Shoot system: intensive growth of fresh basal shoots on a young plant.Root system: presentation of the strong root system interwoven through the growing medium with the pot removed.Balance: mature plant where the development of the root system and the shoots is in harmony.
Information about the videos
The video series is not a “seasonal showcase”, but makes the essence of pharmaROSA® own-root production tangible: how the plant is built, what the root system is like and how the shoots renew themselves. The footage was therefore taken at different times, showing plants at different stages of development, so mixed leaf coverage or differing growth stages may appear in the videos. This is not a “sample” of the batch delivered, but an illustration of how the technology works. The current condition of the rose available to order — typical of the given period and similar to what you can expect to receive in the parcel — is shown at the top of the product page.
Pages for private customers Garden roses for the family garden, with minimal care → ORIGINAL® Premium garden roses – instant impact, a truly showpiece garden → EXTRA® Pages for professionals and private customers Roses for public spaces – large areas, sustainable maintenance → NATURAL® Roses for projects – hedge and row planting, fast implementation → RAPID® For professional partners only Production – propagation material for garden roses, wholesale → NEONATAL®
Company details
PharmaRosa Ltd. Company registration number: 01-09-717479 VAT number: 13075314-2-43 Plant health registration no.: HU130721 Bank account (IBAN): HU85117631891388688400000000 BIC (SWIFT): OTPVHUHB Bank name: OTP Bank Nyrt.
