TSUKIYOMI – crimson-pink hybrid tea rose – Kunieda
If You would like a rose that looks luxurious without demanding complicated care, TSUKIYOMI is an easy-going hybrid tea that slips neatly into family gardens and cottage-style borders. Its large, very double blooms bring a romantic splash of crimson-pink to the garden, with a soft lilac overtone that feels elegant beside paths, front doors or seating areas. The strong, sweet-spicy scent makes each flower genuinely memorable, ideal where You pass by daily. On its own roots this rose forms a lasting, balanced shrub that copes well with wetter Irish conditions and heavier ground when drainage is considered, giving You a planting that feels reliable rather than temperamental. Over the years it settles into a gently spreading, groundcover-like shape that softens edges and low walls, rewarding patient gardeners as it moves from root-building in year one, to stronger shoots in year two, and full ornamental value by year three, so You can simply plant it and enjoy a gradually unfolding, enduring display.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden focal shrub |
Ideal as a single rose by the front path or gate, where its extra-large, very double flowers and strong sweet-spicy fragrance can be appreciated up close on everyday walk‑bys, suiting homeowners who want impact without complex design, especially beginners |
| Neat edging for small borders |
The creeping, spreading habit and 80–110 cm width help it fill low borders with a continuous, structured line of colour while staying within family-garden scale, so You can achieve a tidy, finished look with relatively few plants, perfect for busy gardeners |
| Romantic cottage-style rose group |
Planted in a small group of 3–5 bushes, its repeat flowering and crimson-pink to lavender tones create a soft, nostalgic effect that blends well with simple perennials, bringing a classic cottage feel without the need for specialist pruning skills, attractive for dreamers |
| Cutting patch near the house |
The solitary, XL hybrid tea blooms on strong stems make TSUKIYOMI a practical source of cut flowers; a few bushes can supply scented, long-lasting stems for the house from summer onwards, appealing to those who enjoy home-grown bunches but want straightforward plants, ideal for hosts |
| Own-root long-term planting |
As an own-root rose it ages into a stable, regenerating shrub rather than relying on grafts, reducing long-term worries about suckers and replacement, which suits gardeners who prefer planting once and keeping the same structure for many seasons, reassuring for planners |
| Mixed border with shrubs and grasses |
The moderately dense, dark green foliage and spreading form weave easily between small conifers, ornamental grasses or perennials, letting You build a textured bed where TSUKIYOMI provides colour accents rather than needing a dedicated rose bed, appealing to creative mixers |
| Coastal or wet-climate family gardens |
Well-suited to Irish gardens where breezes, rain and heavier soils are common, provided drainage is improved around the planting hole, so families can enjoy reliable flowering colour without elaborate protection or structures, giving confidence to coastal owners |
| Large patio container or terrace pot |
In a 40–50 litre or larger container with quality compost, TSUKIOMI forms a dense, spreading shrub that brings colour and perfume right onto a balcony or terrace, offering those with limited ground space the feel of a rose border in miniature, particularly useful for urban residents |
Decorating ideas
- Cottage Path Duo – Line a front path with TSUKIOMI and clumps of Campanula persicifolia for a soft pink-and-lavender edge that flowers through summer – ideal for homeowners who love relaxed, country-style gardens
- Fragrant Doorstep Welcome – Plant a single bush near your front step with a low underplanting of thyme or creeping phlox to enjoy the sweet-spicy scent each time You arrive home – perfect for small urban front gardens
- Crimson Moon Border – Combine TSUKIOMI with dwarf Pinus mugo ‘Mops’ and silver grasses to contrast deep pink blooms with evergreen mounds and subtle movement – suited to those who want structure with seasonal colour
- Patio Feature Pot – Grow one plant in a 40–50 litre terracotta pot, surrounding the base with trailing lobelia or bacopa to soften the rim and echo the cool undertones of the flowers – attractive for balcony and terrace gardeners
- Evening Scent Corner – Place TSUKIOMI near a bench, paired with Helichrysum italicum and soft ornamental grasses so its perfume and colour can be enjoyed on calm evenings – perfect for those who unwind outdoors after work
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose cultivar TSUKIYOMI, trade name TSUKIYOMI – crimson-pink hybrid tea rose – Kunieda. Rose Group: Hybrid Tea; commercial type and group: hybrid tea rose. Collection: Hybrid tea rose; own-root, container-grown. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Kunieda Keiji at Rose Farm Keiji, Japan. Parentage not known. Breeding and introduction dated to around 2013 in Japan. Distributed as an ornamental garden shrub and cutting rose, now available as an own-root 2-litre plant. |
| Growth and structure |
Medium-height shrub, approximately 90–120 cm tall with a spreading, creeping habit to 80–110 cm wide. Moderately dense, slightly glossy, dark green foliage and moderate prickliness. Forms a broad, low bush suitable for borders and front-of-bed plantings. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, cup-shaped hybrid tea blooms with more than 40 petals. Extra-large flower size, typically from 3.5 inches upwards, usually borne singly on stems. Repeat flowering with a noticeable, abundant second flush later in the season. |
| Colour and phenology |
Closed buds dark, deep crimson-pink. Freshly opened flowers vivid crimson-pink outside, paler purplish-pink inside with lilac tone; full bloom brilliant crimson-pink with lavender centre. Colour gradually lightens as blooms age, with moderate retention. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, distinctive scent with a sweet-spicy character. Flowers are primarily ornamental and densely double, so stamens are mostly concealed. Pollinator value is moderate to low due to limited access, but fragrance is excellent for seating areas and cutting. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Hip setting expected to be sparse. Where present, hips are spherical, orange-red and approximately 10–14 mm in diameter, adding small, discreet seasonal interest but not considered a major ornamental feature of the variety. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to approximately −26 to −23 °C; RHS hardiness H7, Swedish zone 4, USDA zone 5b. Disease resistance moderate, with medium susceptibility levels to powdery mildew, black spot and rust, requiring occasional monitoring and timely care in humid seasons. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with well-drained soil; improve drainage on heavier clays. Recommended spacings: 65 cm for mass planting, 55 cm for hedging, 100 cm as a solitary. For containers use at least 40–50 litres. Maintenance medium; deadheading improves appearance and rebloom. |
TSUKIYOMI offers large, fragrant crimson-pink blooms, a spreading garden-friendly habit and reliable, long-term performance from its own-root strength, making it a reassuring choice if You want a rose that settles in and simply does its job.
