ALEC'S RED™ – red hybrid tea rose - Cocker
Imagine stepping outside after rain, the air clear and delicately perfumed, and finding ALEC'S RED™ carrying its classic, deep red blooms along a neat path or front garden border with reassuring ease. This hybrid tea’s very strong fragrance creates a sense of balance and calm, while its upright habit makes it a natural choice for smaller London-style terraces where space is at a premium. Container-grown in the pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre format, it settles in reliably, especially when you give it good drainage that copes well with Britain’s heavier clay soils and frequent showers, helping to manage rainfall more thoughtfully. Over the seasons it develops from first establishing its roots, then building confident shoots, and by the third year reaching full ornamental splendour in both garden beds and large planters, where you can enjoy armfuls of scented cut flowers with minimal extra effort.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front garden feature rose |
Its upright, moderately dense growth and XL, high-centred blooms give an elegant focal point without taking over a small front garden, ideal beside a path or gate where the very strong scent can be enjoyed daily by beginners. |
| Large container on terrace or balcony |
Performs well in a generous pot (40–50 litres or more) with free-draining peat-free compost, allowing easy watering with stored rainwater and giving you flexible placement in compact urban spaces for homeowners. |
| Cut-flower and scent corner |
Long, straight stems and large, classic hybrid tea flowers make reliable, fragrant material for vases, so one or two plants can supply a household with richly scented, deep red blooms for hobby-gardeners. |
| Statement planting in clay or chalky soils |
Once established on its own roots, it forms a stable, long-lived framework that copes well with typical British clay or chalk when drainage is improved, offering durable structure for urban-gardeners. |
| Rain-aware townhouse border |
Suited to borders where improved soil structure helps capture and slowly release water, fitting neatly into small front gardens that aim to use rainwater responsibly while remaining ornamental for sustainability-minded. |
| Mixed rose and perennial bed |
The dark cherry-red, velvety flowers contrast beautifully with silver foliage or soft blues such as lavender and nepeta, giving a classic yet easy-care scheme that matures attractively over the years for families. |
| Partially shaded side path |
Tolerates partial shade, so it can bring colour and fragrance to side returns or east-facing strips where some roses flag, extending the usable scented space around the house for busy-owners. |
| Long-term low-replacement planting |
As an own-root rose with good winter hardiness and medium disease resistance, it can recover from pruning or weather damage more consistently, reducing the need for replacement over decades for planners. |
Styling ideas
- Terrace-Showpiece – Place ALEC'S RED™ in a tall 50–60 litre pot flanked by low lavender, letting scent spill towards the street – ideal for design-conscious city homeowners.
- Romantic-Border – Combine with soft pink heucheras and airy grasses to offset the velvety red blooms – suited to gardeners seeking a gentle, feminine front garden.
- Evening-Scent – Position near a bench or doorstep where you pass at dusk, so the powerful perfume greets you daily – perfect for busy people who unwind outdoors.
- Classic-Cut – Plant three in a row along a path to create a mini cutting patch with easy-access stems – good for those who like regular home-grown bouquets.
- Vertical-Accent – Pair in a narrow bed with a light-flowering clematis and low nepeta to emphasise height without crowding – attractive for compact, rain-aware town gardens.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose; registered as CORed and traded as ALEC'S RED™. American Rose Society exhibition name Alec’s Red, belonging to the Hybrid Tea group for garden and show use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Alexander M. Cocker in Scotland from ‘Fragrant Cloud’ × ‘Dame de Cœur’. Introduced by James Cocker & Sons Ltd. in 1970 after registration in 1969. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated: RNRS Henry Edland Memorial Fragrance Medal 1969, RNRS Gold Medal and President's International Trophy 1970, Belfast R. J. Frizzell fragrance award 1972, ADR certificate 1973. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright hybrid tea shrub, around 80–110 cm high and 50–70 cm wide, moderately thorny with moderately dense, slightly glossy dark green foliage well suited to structured planting. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double XL blooms with 26–39 petals, high-centred and cupped on mostly solitary stems. Remontant, with an abundant repeat flush ideal for cutting and display through the season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Uniform dark cherry-red flowers with a velvety sheen; buds nearly burgundy-black. Colour holds well, lightening slightly towards raspberry tones in strong sun, richer and deeper in cooler conditions. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Exceptionally strong, classic rose fragrance that fills the garden, recognised by multiple fragrance awards. Ideal where scent is a priority near paths, seating areas or entrances. |
| Hip characteristics |
Forms small numbers of ovoid, red-orange hips around 10–14 mm across, mainly of ornamental interest late in the season and not typically a primary feature of the cultivar. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Medium disease resistance to black spot, mildew and rust; benefits from basic preventative care. Hardy to approximately −26 to −23 °C (RHS H7; Swedish Zone 4; USDA Zone 5b). |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best at 45–85 cm spacing depending on use, in well-drained soil with regular watering in dry spells. Medium maintenance; spent blooms may need deadheading to encourage repeat flowering. |
ALEC'S RED™ offers long-lasting cherry-red blooms, powerful fragrance and steady performance on its own roots, making it a cultured, low-fuss choice for those planning a durable, scented garden.
