FOUNTAIN – blood-red hybrid tea rose - Tantau
FOUNTAIN is a tall, classically shaped hybrid tea rose that brings rich, velvety, blood-red blooms and a strong, lingering scent into everyday Irish gardens, creating moments of quiet contentment even on soft grey days. Bred by Rosen Tantau, it forms a sturdy, upright shrub with glossy dark foliage that shrugs off common fungal problems and copes calmly with rainfall and cool, changeable summers, so You can enjoy exhibition-quality flowers without fuss. Its remontant nature means generous flushes from summer into autumn, while the own-root plant builds a deep, reliable framework for longevity and steady regrowth. Think of it as a gentle three-year story – roots in the first season, stronger shoots in the second, and full ornamental impact in the third – ideal for an Irish cottage border or a neat Dublin terrace front. With low maintenance needs, balanced shrub-like growth and the occasional decorative hip, FOUNTAIN suits nature-friendly, fragrance-loving gardeners who want classic hybrid tea elegance in a relaxed, lived-in family plot, where flowers, people and seasons all share the same welcoming space.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Main feature rose near the front door |
The tall, upright habit and large, goblet-shaped red blooms create an immediate sense of arrival without demanding complex care routines, perfect for a welcoming front path or small porch bed, especially for the fragrance-focused homeowner. |
| Cottage-style mixed border |
Resistant foliage and low intervention needs allow FOUNTAIN to sit happily among perennials in a loose Irish cottage mix, providing recurring structure and colour while You simply deadhead and enjoy, ideal for the relaxed hobby-gardener. |
| Dublin terraced-house front garden |
The compact footprint yet good height means strong vertical impact in narrow beds, and its glossy leaves and refined flowers stay presentable through frequent showers and cool spells, suiting the time-pressed urban gardener. |
| Low-maintenance rose hedge |
Planted at hedge spacing, FOUNTAIN forms a balanced, upright line of dark foliage and repeated red flowers; own-root strength underpins long-term structure with minimal pruning, attractive for the practical planner. |
| Single specimen in lawn or gravel |
As a solitary shrub, its dense foliage and strong scent draw attention from several angles while disease resistance keeps it handsome without sprays, a good choice for those who favour simple statements, typically the reflective beginner. |
| Large container on patio or terrace |
In a 40–50 litre pot with good drainage, the upright growth and repeat flowering provide a season-long focal point close to seating, while own-root resilience reduces worry about winter losses, reassuring for the cautious tenant. |
| Long-season colour anchor in family garden |
Remontant flowering with an abundant second flush keeps colour running through shorter Irish summers, giving reliable background interest around play areas and seating, appreciated by families wanting easy beauty, especially the busy parent. |
| Balanced “close-to-nature” planting strip |
The shrub-like form, occasional small hips and unfussy health help weave FOUNTAIN into an informal, nature-leaning border that still feels tidy beside paths and terraces, fitting those who like a soft-edged yet orderly look, the nature-oriented buyer. |
Styling ideas
- COTTAGE-RUBY – Thread through a cottage border with sage, calamint and soft pink perennials to offset the deep red blooms – for lovers of romantic, slightly wild gardens.
- DOORSTEP-DRAMA – Flank a front door with two matching shrubs underplanted with lavender for scent on both sides – for city homeowners wanting impact from a small space.
- PATIO-FOCAL – Grow in a 50 litre terracotta pot with silver herbs for texture and easy reach of the scented flowers – for balcony and terrace users who entertain outdoors.
- BALANCED-HEDGE – Create a low, gently formal hedge and intersperse with ornamental grasses to soften lines – for those seeking structure without a rigid look.
- EVENING-GLOW – Place behind a bench with pale foxgloves and white astrantias so the red blooms glow at dusk – for evening garden sitters and after-work relaxers.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, shrub type; registered as Fountain, also traded as Fountain Hybrid tea rose; ARS exhibition name Fountain; part of the Rós taehibride commercial group. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Mathias Tantau Jr. at Rosen Tantau, Germany; breeding and introduction year 1969, with initial distribution handled by Rosen Tantau for garden and exhibition use. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, shrub-like habit, 120–160 cm high with 85–115 cm spread; dense, dark green glossy foliage and moderate prickles create a substantial, structural presence in borders. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, 7–10 cm double blooms with 26–39 petals; classic cup to goblet form, mostly borne singly on stems, remontant with a notably abundant second main flush of flowers. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep blood-red to crimson blooms (RHS 53A–53B); colour deepens then softens to wine-red with slight edge browning; overall good colour retention and a velvety, dark, romantic effect. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, long-lasting perfume of traditional hybrid tea character; scent persists well on the plant and on cut stems, making it suitable for scented garden corners and home-cut bouquets. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasionally forms small, spherical red hips 8–12 mm in diameter; decorative in close viewing but generally sparse, so they do not significantly alter the rose’s overall appearance. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Classed as resistant to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (USDA 6b, RHS H7, Swedish Zone 3), suitable for exposed Irish garden conditions. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Low maintenance needs; prefers well-drained but moisture-retentive soil with organic matter; space 55–100 cm depending on use; ideal for low-intervention family gardens and mixed borders. |
FOUNTAIN offers strong scent, resilient, disease-resistant growth and repeat flowering on a durable own-root framework; a refined, long-lived choice if You enjoy classic red roses with minimal fuss.
