SIMONE VEIL – red hybrid tea rose - Orard
Step out after rainfall and meet Simone Veil in your front garden: a richly scented, ruby-red hybrid tea that offers an easy, elegant way to green a compact London terrace while quietly coping with blustery showers and heavier soils in typical British gardens. Large, high-centred blooms on an upright, well-proportioned plant give you reliable colour for cutting as well as for viewing from the pavement, with flowers repeating generously from early summer into autumn. Grown on its own roots, this rose settles in steadily and is built for long life, regenerating from the base and maintaining its neat structure with simple seasonal deadheading. In a small bed or a 40–50 litre container, it partners beautifully with cool-toned perennials for a stylish, “girly” display that still feels calm and sustainable. With ordinary sun, regular rainwater and a touch of care, you can watch it move from quiet first-year rooting to bolder second-year shoots and then a full third-year presence that becomes part of your home’s everyday rhythm.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front garden focal point |
The upright habit and dense, dark-green foliage give a tidy, architectural look that suits narrow, terraced-house front gardens, where a single, well-shaped rose needs to carry the scene with minimal fuss for a busy homeowner. |
| Cutting-and-enjoyment border |
High-centred, very double blooms on long, straight stems are ideal for cutting, yet the plant continues to flower strongly, so beds still look full even when you regularly bring scented stems indoors for a home entertainer. |
| 40–50 litre container on paved frontage |
A sizeable pot with free-draining compost keeps roots above heavy clay, while the compact spread fits neatly by a doorway, allowing easy watering with collected rainwater and straightforward pruning for a space-conscious gardener. |
| Small, formal rose grouping |
Consistent height and proportional growth make it easy to line a short path or form a low hedge, creating a structured, classic look that remains manageable without specialist pruning knowledge for a design-aware beginner. |
| Mixed perennial bed with soft pastels |
The deep red, velvety flowers stand out against airy companions like nepeta, lavender or sage, giving a romantic yet balanced composition that looks thoughtfully planted in ordinary, changeable British weather for a style-conscious planter. |
| Rainwater-friendly urban garden |
Planted slightly raised with improved drainage, it copes well with typical city microclimates, handling gusty, wet spells while channelling stored rainwater to its roots rather than into hard paving for a sustainability-minded gardener. |
| Long-term feature planting |
The own-root form supports a long lifespan, as the plant can regenerate from its base if damaged, helping maintain a stable, recognisable look over many years with only moderate seasonal care for a patient garden owner. |
| Statement rose in a compact family garden |
The combination of repeat flowering, strong fragrance and manageable size creates a single “special rose” that children and adults can enjoy up close without the upkeep of a large rose collection, suiting a time-poor family. |
Styling ideas
- Doorstep Welcome – Place Simone Veil in a 40–50 litre clay pot by the front step, underplanted with trailing thyme to soften hard edges – ideal for urban terrace owners who want instant charm.
- Romantic Border – Combine with pale pink roses, lavender and nepeta to contrast the deep red blooms, creating a soft, “girly” feel – suited to beginners seeking an easy, classic mix.
- Formal Path – Repeat plant along a short path at regular spacing for a low, upright rose avenue – perfect for homeowners wanting structure without complex hedging plants.
- Evening Perfume – Position near a seating area so the strong, tea-like fragrance can be enjoyed on warm evenings – good for small-garden users who value sensory impact over quantity.
- Container Showcase – Set a single plant in a large, square planter with slate mulch for a modern, low-maintenance look – attractive to sustainability-focused city dwellers greening paved space.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose; registered as ORAcolhac, marketed as Simone Veil Parfums de Lyon® ORAcolhac, commercial type hybrid tea rose for garden and cutting use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Pierre Orard (Roseraies Orard, France) and introduced in 2015, with parentage not publicly disclosed; developed as a premium hybrid tea for garden and cut flower performance. |
| Awards and recognition |
Recipient of the Prix du Public at the International New Roses Competition in Barcelona (2015), reflecting strong visitor appreciation for bloom quality and overall presentation. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, medium-sized plant reaching about 80–110 cm in height and 45–60 cm spread, with dense, dark green, slightly glossy foliage and moderate prickliness on well-branched stems. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very double hybrid tea blooms with 40+ petals, high-centred and pointed buds, borne mainly in clusters; strongly repeat-flowering with a particularly generous second flush in summer. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep ruby-red flowers with velvety surface; newly opened blooms show intense fire-red tones, maturing to a slightly matt crimson with darker edging and only modest fading before petal drop. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Notably strong fragrance combining classic tea rose notes with a subtly spicy character, most evident in warm, still conditions and contributing to its value as both a garden and cut flower rose. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasionally sets small, ovoid red hips about 12–16 mm in diameter; hips are not produced in large numbers and have limited ornamental value compared with the showy flowers. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated to around –21 to –18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b), with moderate resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust; benefits from regular watering in warm spells and some preventive care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in sunny positions with well-drained soil; suitable for beds, hedging, or 40–50 litre containers; maintenance moderate, requiring deadheading, feeding and occasional pest or disease control. |
Simone Veil Parfums de Lyon® ORAcolhac offers long-lived, repeat flowering beauty with strong fragrance on an own-root plant that matures steadily over time, making it a thoughtful choice for a lasting garden feature.
