RED PARFUM™ – deep red rambler climbing rose – Eve
If you dream of a classic cottage-garden climber that shrugs off damp Irish weather and offers a moment of quiet joy on a short walk in soft rain, RED PARFUM™ surrounds you with velvety petals and a classic damask scent. Its rich, deep-red blooms flower in generous flushes over summer, while glossy mid-green foliage clothes arches, fences and house fronts in romantic style. Own-root planting means a reliable, long-lived rose that regrows strongly if cut back, giving stable ornamental value for years with medium, manageable care. In typical gardens where summers are cool and showery, it responds well with repeat flowering and steady growth, especially when the soil is improved for drainage and mulched. Think year one for roots, year two for framework shoots, and year three for full character, when its fragrance-laden clusters and colour-saturated flowers turn a simple front path or terrace corner into a softly lit, cheerful retreat.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front-garden arch or arbour |
Use over a metal or timber arch to create a welcoming, flower-laden entrance. Medium maintenance, but the very strong damask scent rewards every bit of tying-in and light pruning, giving a memorable experience for each passing visitor. |
| Cottage-style pergola beside a seating area |
Trained along a pergola, its repeat-flowering habit brings several waves of richly coloured blooms through the short Irish summer. This keeps the structure attractive for months with relatively little fuss for the relaxed gardener. |
| Climbing rose for fences and boundaries |
Dense, glossy foliage and uniform growth make it ideal for greening a plain fence, while the tightly cupped clusters of double flowers give strong ornamental value without intricate shaping, suiting the busy homeowner. |
| Specimen climber on a sunny house wall |
On a south or west-facing wall it develops tall, arching canes with abundant clusters, yet remains manageable with occasional tying and deadheading; own-root vigour helps it recover well after tougher pruning for the practical planner. |
| Partial-shade side passage or narrow Dublin terrace |
Its colour holds particularly well in partial shade, where deep reds stay intense and velvety. This makes it a strong choice for side passages and city terraces that miss full sun, pleasing the space-conscious urban dweller. |
| Cut-flower corner in a family garden |
Medium-sized, double, cluster-flowering stems are perfect for richly scented indoor arrangements. With moderate care and feeding, it produces reliable cutting material across the season, rewarding the scent-loving collector. |
| Climber for clay soils with improved drainage |
Suited to many Irish gardens once heavy clay is opened up with compost and grit, allowing roots to establish deeply; good structure and own-root resilience then support long-term growth for the patient garden beginner. |
| Informal screen with wildlife interest |
Left with some old flowering wood, it can form occasional red hips that add late-season interest. While pollinator attraction is limited, the hips and cover still bring subtle value to the nature-oriented observer. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage Arch – Train RED PARFUM™ over a simple wooden arch, underplant with Stipa tenuissima and Crocosmia for movement and fiery contrast – ideal for romantic front-garden traditionalists.
- Ruby Pergola – Use along a pergola with soft white or cream perennials beneath to highlight the deep-red blooms – suited to homeowners who enjoy outdoor evening seating.
- City Screen – Cover a boundary in a Dublin terrace with this climber and a low Cherry laurel backdrop for year-round structure – perfect for urban gardeners wanting privacy and scent.
- Cut-Flower Nook – Reserve one sunny fence panel for RED PARFUM™ and plant fragrant herbs at its feet to create a convenient cutting and fragrance corner – good for beginners who like simple rewards.
- Shady Passage – Run the climber along a side passage trellis where partial shade preserves its rich colour, softening a narrow route – great for busy families improving awkward spaces.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Rambler-type climbing rose, registered as EVErepra, traded as RED PARFUM™ Climbing rose EVErepra; ARS exhibition name Red Parfum, deep-red, strongly scented, double-flowered climbing rose. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by André Eve in France from ‘Étendard’ × ‘Souvenir de Claudius Denoyel’; breeding completed 1962, introduced and registered 1972 by Roses Anciennes André Eve. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Strong climbing growth, 280–450 cm high with 160–260 cm spread; dense, glossy mid-green foliage, heavily thorned canes, moderate self-cleaning with some spent blooms needing removal. |
| Flower morphology |
Medium-sized (4–7 cm), double, cupped clusters with 26–39 petals; remontant habit with a generous second flush, carried in trusses suitable for cutting and decorative garden display. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Uniform deep burgundy, velvety surface; buds deep burgundy, opening crimson with paler bases, maturing to dark cherry-red, slightly lightening in strong sun, best depth of colour in partial shade. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, garden-filling perfume with a classic damask, full-rose character; ideal where scent is a priority, notably near paths, doors, seating areas and windows that are opened in summer. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasional ellipsoid red hips, 12–19 mm diameter, forming after some flowers if not deadheaded; add subtle ornamental and seasonal interest without significantly increasing maintenance needs. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (H7, USDA 6b, Swedish Zone 3); moderate disease resistance with some susceptibility to black spot, mildew and rust, best performance with basic preventive care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to pergolas, fences, arbours and specimen walls; plant at 190–320 cm spacing, in improved, well-drained soil; for containers use at least 40–50 litres; medium maintenance with regular tying-in. |
RED PARFUM™ offers deep velvety colour, powerful damask fragrance and long-term climbing structure, and as an own-root plant it builds lasting strength and easy recovery; an appealing choice if you value romance with manageable care.
