TERRACOTTA® – brick-red tea-hybrid rose - Simpson
With its unique, fired-clay brick tones and elegant hybrid-tea blooms, TERRACOTTA® brings a warm, contemporary twist to classic rose planting in Irish gardens. You receive a well-rooted, own-root plant in a practical 2-litre pot – you simply plant it, keep it watered and it settles in reliably, even where soil stays moist and heavy after rain. In year one it concentrates on roots, in year two it builds strong shoots, and by year three it shows full ornamental value with tall, upright stems perfect for cutting. The bushy, sparsely thorned growth and dense, dark green foliage suit neat front gardens, smaller beds and cottage-style borders where You want colour and structure without complicated gardening.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden feature rose |
The warm brick-red colour stands out beside paths, drives and low walls, giving a smart but welcoming look to Irish front gardens with limited space, while its upright habit keeps it tidy and easy to manage for the average busy homeowner |
| Small rose bed with cut flowers |
Large, high-centred blooms appear repeatedly through the season on long, straight stems, ideal for cutting a few stems for the house without spoiling the shape of the bed, so one compact group serves both garden display and simple indoor arrangements for the practical gardener |
| Container on patio or balcony (40–50 litre minimum) |
In a generous 40–50 litre pot with regular watering, this variety forms a strong, upright bush that shows off its unusual terracotta tones close to eye level, a good option where You garden over hard surfaces or coastal balconies and want dependable colour in a confined space |
| Mixed border with perennials |
The brick-red flowers pair beautifully with soft grasses and lighter perennials, and the dense, dark green foliage gives background structure, so the rose weaves naturally into existing plantings without needing specialist pruning knowledge from the hobby gardener |
| Rural cottage-style planting |
Planted near cottage windows or along low fences, its warm, rustic colouring echoes traditional clay and stone, while own-root growth builds a long-lived bush that fits naturally into informal country borders for the cottage-garden-loving owner |
| Specimen rose near seating area |
The tall, bushy habit and solitary, showy flowers create a focal point beside benches or small terraces, adding changing colour from bud to full bloom for those who like to sit out and enjoy the garden without constant maintenance tasks as a casual gardener |
| Small group planting in narrow beds |
Spacing 50 cm apart, three to five plants form a narrow, upright ribbon of colour along drives or paths, making good use of limited ground while remaining easy to keep in shape with basic pruning once a year for the time-conscious beginner |
| Flower bed in wetter, heavier garden soils |
As an own-root, container-grown plant it establishes steadily even where clay soil holds moisture after Irish rain, provided You ensure reasonable drainage, giving confidence that the planting will mature reliably for the cautious garden starter |
Decorating ideas
- Clay-Toned Welcome – Combine TERRACOTTA® with low, creamy Gypsophila and soft grey paving at the front door for a warm, stylish entrance – ideal for urban homeowners wanting impact from a single feature bed
- Cottage Border Glow – Plant in a loose row with Lychnis viscaria 'Alba' and traditional cottage perennials to echo old brick and limewash – perfect for rural gardeners seeking a romantic but easy-care look
- Patio Statement Pot – Grow one rose in a 40–50 litre terracotta container, underplant with trailing thyme for scent and soft edges – suited to balcony and patio gardeners who need upright colour in small spaces
- Cutting Corner – Create a small rectangular bed with three roses and airy Bupleurum, giving a steady supply of long-stemmed blooms – good for beginners who want simple, satisfying flowers to cut for the house
- Rust-and-Lavender Mix – Pair TERRACOTTA® with lavender or rosemary in a sunny strip, letting the brick-red flowers play against cool blue-green foliage – for gardeners who enjoy Mediterranean accents without complex planting schemes
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as SIMchoca, marketed as Terracotta® Hybrid tea rose SIMchoca; American Rose Society exhibition name Terracotta; collection and commercial group hybrid tea rose. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Nola M. Simpson from cross ‘Princesse’ × ‘Hot Chocolate’; year of introduction and registration 2001, initially distributed by Meilland Richardier in France; breeder institution not documented. |
| Awards and recognitions |
Recognised on the show bench: New Zealand Silver Star in 2001 and Durbanville Gold Medal in 2006, confirming its value as a high-quality hybrid tea suitable for exhibition and cutting purposes. |
| Growth and structure |
Upright, bushy shrub reaching about 90–125 cm in height with a 60–85 cm spread; dense, matte, dark green foliage and sparsely thorned stems make it comfortable to work around in beds, borders and cutting areas. |
| Flower morphology |
Large XL, double, cup-shaped blooms with 26–39 petals, carried mostly singly on stems; remontant habit gives an initial flush followed by a plentiful second flowering, suitable for both display and cutting. |
| Colour and phenology |
Warm brick-red to rust-brown tones with orange accents; buds dark reddish-brown, opening to fired-clay brown, then gently lightening in sun; colour is deeper in cooler weather, with moderate fading in strong heat. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Fragrance is very weak and barely noticeable, so it is chosen mainly for its distinctive terracotta colouring and flower form rather than scent; strongly double, button-centred blooms are primarily ornamental in effect. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Rose hips form only occasionally due to the strongly double flowers; when present they are small, ellipsoid, orange-red hips about 10–14 mm in diameter, offering limited visual effect and little wildlife interest. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to around −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); disease resistance is moderate to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; prefers regular watering and does not tolerate prolonged drought conditions. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best for flower beds, specimens, hedging-style rows and large containers; plant 40–75 cm apart depending on use; tolerates partial shade but flowers best in sun; maintenance medium, needing occasional pest and disease checks. |
TERRACOTTA® offers distinctive brick-red blooms, reliable cutting stems and a long-lived, own-root bush that settles steadily into family gardens, so You can enjoy lasting colour with straightforward care when planning your next planting choice.
