NAOMI™ – deep pink nostalgia rose – Olesen
Imagine stepping onto your small front garden path after rain, the air full of fragrance from lush, deep pink rosettes that keep their colour beautifully even in unsettled British weather and on exposed, breezy plots with good drainage over heavier soils or chalk. NAOMI™ forms a bushy, well-furnished structure with dark green foliage, giving you an elegant, romantic look from a single shrub or a short hedge with minimal shaping. As an own‑root plant, it builds strength from below, offering long-term stability, the ability to regenerate after pruning or weather damage, and a reassuringly long lifespan in a busy family garden. You can grow it in a generous 40–50 litre container or narrow urban bed with straightforward maintenance, just a little deadheading and occasional health checks, while the dense planting helps keep soil covered and visually softens paving or parking spaces in a sustainable, rainwater‑aware front garden. Over time, you will see the natural development of a reliable shrub – first year focused on roots, second year on stronger growth, and by the third year a full, romantic display of blooms along your path. Its medium height and bushy habit make it particularly suitable for terraced houses and compact plots, where every plant needs to earn its place.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
| Front garden specimen by the path |
The strong, classic rose scent carries on still, damp evenings, creating a sense of calm as you pass the front door. Deep pink, rosette blooms and dark foliage give traditional charm without demanding complex pruning, ideal for the busy homeowner. |
| Low hedge along a narrow boundary |
Bushy, upright plants space neatly at 60 cm, forming a graceful, waist‑high hedge that defines boundaries without feeling heavy. Dense branching and foliage create privacy and structure with only light annual trimming, well suited to the time‑pressed gardener. |
| Romantic mixed border in a family garden |
At 110–160 cm tall, it holds its own among perennials, adding height and depth without overshadowing neighbours. The repeating flushes of large, very double flowers give continuous interest through summer for the whole family. |
| 40–50 litre container on a sunny terrace or balcony |
In a large, well‑drained pot, its bushy framework and repeat flowering provide a long-lasting focal point near seating. Own‑root growth responds well to renewal pruning over the years, fitting the needs of space‑conscious urban residents. |
| Rain‑aware, paved or gravel front garden |
Planted into open pockets within gravel or permeable paving, the shrub’s spreading base softens hard surfaces while allowing rainwater to soak through rather than run off, especially valuable for sustainability‑minded city dwellers. |
| Small rose bed in heavy or chalky soil |
Once established with improved soil and good drainage, its sturdy shrub form and medium disease resistance deliver reliable seasonal flowering under typical UK conditions, even where wind and wet can be a challenge for less resilient beginners. |
| Urban parklet or shared green space |
The height, dense foliage and vivid colour ensure the shrub reads clearly from a distance, while its own‑root resilience supports long-term planting schemes with periodic maintenance, an asset for community‑focused projects. |
| Path-edge planting with perennials |
Clustered, repeat-flowering heads sit just above companion plants, giving a layered effect that feels generous rather than formal. Regular but simple deadheading keeps the line tidy, matching the expectations of design‑aware yet relaxed owners. |
Styling ideas
- Terraced‑charm – Line a short London terrace path with NAOMI™ and low lavender or nepeta for scent on both sides – ideal for homeowners wanting romance from a small footprint.
- Courtyard‑focus – Grow a single shrub in a 50 litre pot, underplanted with trailing bellflower, to create a vertical accent in a paved courtyard – perfect for design‑conscious city residents.
- Soft‑hedge – Plant a loose hedge mixed with euonymus and evergreen herbs to frame parking or bins gracefully – suitable for families aiming to green practical front spaces.
- Seasonal‑ribbon – Combine NAOMI™ with creeping phlox at the front of a border to give a spring carpet followed by summer rose height – good for beginners wanting easy waves of colour.
- Parklet‑romance – Use repeating groups among ornamental grasses in community parklets for movement and nostalgic bloom clusters – appealing to neighbourhood groups greening their street.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property | Data |
| Name and registration |
Shrub rose from the Renaissance® collection, registered as Poulren022 and marketed as Naomi™; a deep pink, nostalgic-style park rose classified for exhibition as a fragrant shrub. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by L. Pernille Olesen for Poulsen Roser A/S in Denmark, from unknown parentage; breeding completed in 2004, registered and introduced in 2011 as part of their romantic shrub range. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly regarded for scent, with fragrance awards at Lyon (2012), Monza (2012) and The Hague (2016), plus a first prize at Hradec in 2013, confirming strong appeal in international trials. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, upright shrub reaching around 110–160 cm in height and 80–130 cm spread, with dense, slightly glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickliness; overall effect is full and well‑balanced. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very double rosette blooms with over 40 petals, produced in clusters of three to five per stem; flowers repeat well with an abundant second flush when regularly deadheaded and well cared for. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep crimson-pink tone (RHS N66B outer, N57A inner) lightening only slightly to mid‑pink; colour holds well with minor fading, maintaining a rich, romantic appearance across the flowering period. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, classic rose fragrance detectable from a distance, giving a traditional scent profile ideal near paths and seating; intensity makes it suitable for gardeners who value perfume above all. |
| Hip characteristics |
Rose hips form sparsely due to the very double flowers; when present, they are small, 10–15 mm ovoid, orange-red hips that add light seasonal detail without dominating the plant’s appearance. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated to approximately −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3) with medium resistance to black spot, mildew and rust; benefits from good air flow and standard preventative care routines. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun on well-drained soil; plant 70 cm apart in beds, 60 cm as a hedge, or 110 cm as a specimen. Water during prolonged drought and deadhead to encourage repeat bloom and neatness. |
NAOMI™ offers strong fragrance, a bushy, structural shrub form and reliable repeat flowering in an own‑root rose that matures steadily into long-term beauty, making it a thoughtful choice for your next planting decision.