OKLAHOMA™ – dark red hybrid tea rose
Step outside after rain and let the velvety blooms of Oklahoma frame your walk in rich, dark colour and unforgettable fragrance; this classic hybrid tea produces XL, exhibition-style flowers that hold beautifully in a vase while its upright habit and dense, glossy foliage suit both Dublin terraces and relaxed cottage borders. Bred to cope reliably with cool summers and frequent rain, it repeats in generous flushes so you can enjoy cut stems for months with only modest maintenance, and its own-root form gives reassuring longevity, letting the plant regenerate from the base if winter or weather ever knock it back. Space it carefully for good air circulation, enrich heavy clay with compost and drainage, then mulch to stabilise soil moisture; in return, Oklahoma will mature steadily over its first few seasons, with roots establishing in year one, stronger top growth in year two and full ornamental presence by year three, bringing years of deep red, rain-kissed drama to your garden.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Rose border focal point |
Oklahoma’s XL, high‑centred blooms in deep burgundy-red create a striking focal point in any mixed rose border, offering classic hybrid tea form that stands out even at a distance for gardeners who treasure statement flowers. Ideal for the beginner. |
| Cutting and vase garden |
The long, straight stems and exhibition-style flowers are perfect for cutting, giving you armfuls of strongly scented blooms for the house throughout the season, especially if you deadhead regularly and feed lightly after each flush. Perfect for the homeowner. |
| Dublin terraced front garden |
Its upright, bushy habit and dense dark foliage make a handsome, compact feature by a gate, path or front railing, adding a touch of formality and romance without demanding complex pruning or specialist skills. Suited to the urbanite. |
| Irish cottage-style planting |
Deep red, velvety flowers pair beautifully with soft cottage favourites and ornamental grasses, giving that slightly “girly” yet sophisticated look while holding their own against strong greens and changing Irish skies. Designed for the romantic. |
| Small to medium family garden shrub |
The medium-tall, bushy structure fills its allotted space reliably without spreading uncontrollably, making it easy to integrate near lawns, patios or play areas where you want impact from one well-behaved plant. Ideal for the family. |
| Containers and large pots |
In a well-drained container of at least 40–50 litres with quality compost, Oklahoma becomes a moveable feature for patios or balconies, letting you bring the rich colour and powerful perfume right up to seating areas. Best for the balcony-owner. |
| Weather-resilient feature in wet, mild climates |
Suited to mild, rainy Irish conditions with its repeat flowering and sturdy build, it copes well when summers are short and showery, continuing to push buds once established as long as the soil drains freely after heavy rain. Perfect for the Atlantic-dweller. |
| Long-term own-root planting |
As an own-root rose, it builds strength steadily and can regenerate from the base if damaged, avoiding the unpredictability of grafted rootstocks and offering a long-lived, stable presence with consistent flowers year after year. Reassuring for the planner. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage Velvet – Underplant Oklahoma with coral bells and soft pink perennials for a romantic, cottage look that highlights its velvety colour and scent – perfect for sentimental gardeners.
- Front-Door Drama – Flank a Dublin terrace entrance with two large container-grown plants to frame the doorway in rich red blooms and fragrance – ideal for style-conscious city dwellers.
- Evening Perfume – Place Oklahoma near a patio seating area so its strong, classic fragrance can be enjoyed on mild evenings after work – suited to busy professionals.
- Structure-and-Glow – Combine its upright shape with feather reed grass and dark-leaved shrubs to create a structured, low-fuss feature bed – good for design-led homeowners.
- Single-Showpiece – Give one plant generous space as a solitary specimen in lawn or gravel, emphasising flower size and form without complicated maintenance – ideal for beginners.
Technical cultivar profile
| Trait |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose ‘Oklahoma’; registered name Oklahoma, ARS exhibition name Oklahoma, trade name Oklahoma™ Hybrid tea rose Oklahoma, honours the state where it was bred. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Herbert C. Swim and O. L. Weeks at Oklahoma State University, USA; cross of ‘Chrysler Imperial’ × ‘Charles Mallerin’; bred and registered 1963, introduced commercially 1964. |
| Awards and recognition |
Awarded Gold Medal at the 1963 Tokyo Japan Rose Concours, reflecting early recognition of its outstanding flower quality, exhibition value and overall garden merit among hybrid tea roses. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, bushy plant 130–170 cm tall and 100–140 cm wide; dense, slightly glossy dark green foliage; moderately thorny shoots; forms a substantial shrub suitable for borders or as a specimen. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, high‑centred, pointed-bud hybrid tea blooms with 40+ petals; extra‑large flowers over 10 cm, usually borne singly on stems, giving a classic cut‑rose appearance for garden or exhibition use. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Very dark burgundy‑red tending to black in bud; opens to deep velvety dark red (RHS 187A–187B), later shifting to brownish‑red but remaining dark; colour retention moderate, with repeat flowering in strong flushes. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, classic rose scent with sweet old‑rose character; considered garden‑filling when several blooms are open; fragrance intended mainly for ornamental enjoyment rather than culinary or cosmetic use. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasionally forms ellipsoid red hips 12–18 mm in diameter; hips are decorative but not typically a dominant feature, as the variety is primarily grown for its flowers and fragrance quality. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); disease resistance moderate, with some susceptibility to black spot, mildew and rust in damp conditions, so basic monitoring is advised. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Plant in fertile, well‑drained soil, spacing 100–175 cm depending on use; prefers full sun, regular deadheading and balanced feeding; maintenance medium, with occasional pest and disease control when needed. |
OKLAHOMA™ combines sumptuous dark red exhibition blooms, powerful fragrance and long-term own-root reliability, making it a thoughtful choice for Irish gardens where you’d appreciate years of rewarding colour and scent.
