TSUKIYOMI – crimson-pink hybrid tea rose – Kunieda
Step outside after the rain and imagine a narrow urban path edged with velvet blooms, their strong sweet‑spicy fragrance lingering in the cool air as petals in rich crimson‑pink unfold with a gentle lilac undertone. TSUKIYOMI’s balanced, spreading habit suits compact London front gardens and small beds where reliable colour matters just as much as sustainable water use in areas that regularly experience heavy rain and challenging drainage. As an own‑root rose it offers quiet resilience, building a discreet framework of roots, then shoots, before delivering its full ornamental value in the third season. Large, very double, exhibition‑quality blooms appear repeatedly through the season, ideal for cutting as well as close‑up enjoyment in pots of at least 40–50 litres. Over time, this long‑lived shrub settles into a calm presence that supports a greener, low‑fuss family garden.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Feature rose for small front gardens |
The large, exhibition-style flowers and rich crimson-pink colour give strong street-facing impact from a single shrub, creating a focal point without complex pruning or training, ideal for a tidy but characterful doorway for busy urban gardeners. |
| Cutting rose near the front path |
Very double XL blooms on upright stems lend themselves to regular cutting, so you can enjoy the strong sweet-spicy scent indoors as well as outside, while own-root growth replaces cut stems steadily for home flower arrangers. |
| Rainwater-friendly mixed border |
The moderately dense, spreading habit fills space between perennials, working well with improved drainage on heavier soils so flowers remain impressive even after wet, windy spells, supporting simple, resilient planting for sustainability-minded homeowners. |
| Statement container on balcony or patio |
In a 40–50 litre peat-free container, TSUKIYOMI forms a contained, low-hedge shape with repeat flowering; steady own-root growth underpins long service life in the same pot, needing only seasonal feeding and watering for space-conscious city dwellers. |
| Low, informal hedge or boundary line |
Its creeping, spreading structure and recommended 55 cm spacing create a soft, informal line that defines front gardens without hard fencing, while own-root plants re-sprout reliably if individual stems are damaged for family garden planners. |
| Companion piece with silver and blue perennials |
The deep crimson-pink flowers contrast beautifully with lavender, sage or nepeta, and with silver foliage like Helichrysum, giving a balanced, moonlit palette that stays elegant from first flush to autumn for design-conscious beginners. |
| Long-term structural rose in small gardens |
Medium height and moderate density make it a stable “anchor” plant; own-root stock supports a long lifespan with consistent flowering, so the shrub matures gracefully rather than needing frequent replacement for low-maintenance gardeners. |
| Accent rose in clay or chalky soils |
When planted with added organic matter and grit, TSUKIYOMI copes well where gardens face persistent winter wet, offering dependable flowering in sites where some roses struggle, particularly in compact, rain-exposed plots for climate-aware city residents. |
Styling ideas
- Moonlit-Entry – Pair TSUKIYOMI with low lavender and grey gravel to echo its celestial name and fragrance as you approach the front door – ideal for fragrance lovers.
- Crimson-Canvas – Use three plants in a shallow curve with nepeta at their feet to create a soft, painterly sweep of pink and blue – perfect for small-plot experimenters.
- Balcony-Bouquet – Grow a single shrub in a 50 litre container with trailing thyme to enjoy cut-flower quality blooms at arm’s reach – suited to balcony and patio owners.
- Silver-Moon – Combine with Helichrysum and a compact pine for year-round shape, letting TSUKIYOMI provide the seasonal colour accent – appealing to structure-focused gardeners.
- Front-Hedge – Plant a loose row along a path and intersperse with campanulas for a romantic, cottage-style edging – good for families wanting soft boundaries.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
TSUKIYOMI, a hybrid tea rose cultivated as an ornamental garden shrub and for cutting; commercial type hybrid tea rose, collection Hybrid tea rose, trade name Tsukiyomi Hybrid tea rose Kunieda. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Kunieda Keiji at Rose Farm Keiji in Japan and introduced in 2013; parentage is not recorded, but selection focused on colour nuance and strong fragrance for garden and cut-flower use. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Medium-height, creeping to spreading shrub reaching about 90–120 cm high and 80–110 cm wide, with moderately dense, slightly glossy dark green foliage and a moderately thorny framework that fills space steadily. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, cup-shaped, solitary hybrid tea flowers with more than 40 petals, classed as XL size from around 3.5 inches across, remontant with abundant repeat flowering, especially notable in the second flush of the season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Closed buds are dark crimson-pink; newly opened blooms show vivid crimson-pink outer petals with paler purplish-pink interiors, then gradually lighten to a soft pink-lavender with a slightly glaucous tone as the flowers age. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, distinctive sweet-spicy scent reminiscent of classic perfumed roses, noticeable both on the plant and when cut for the vase, adding olfactory interest along paths, seating areas and doors where air circulation carries the aroma. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip set is generally sparse; where present, hips are small, spherical and orange-red, around 10–14 mm in diameter, offering light seasonal interest without significantly affecting the repeat flowering performance of the shrub. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated to approximately –26 to –23 °C (H7, USDA 5b, Swedish zone 4); disease resistance is moderate to powdery mildew, black spot and rust, benefiting from routine good hygiene and, if required, occasional preventative treatments. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with improved drainage, at 65 cm spacing for mass planting or 55 cm for low hedges; own-root plants suit borders or 40–50 litre containers, with regular deadheading and balanced feeding to maintain flowering. |
TSUKIYOMI offers richly scented crimson-pink blooms, repeat flowering and a long-lived own-root habit that matures steadily in borders or sizeable containers, making it a thoughtful choice for understated yet rewarding urban gardens.
