RED SPOT® – red floribunda bedding rose
Step outside for a quiet stroll and let RED SPOT® wash your small Irish garden in a glow of velvety colour and low-fuss impact. This compact floribunda forms neat, rounded beds that suit cottage borders and Dublin terraces alike, coping calmly even when summers are cool and rainy, with spells of soft light and showers. Clusters of vivid, medium-sized blooms open repeatedly through the season, giving reliable coverage from a modest footprint. Planted in your pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre pot, it settles in steadily – roots in the first year, strong shoots in the second, then full garden presence by the third – building a durable, own-root shrub that regenerates well and keeps your front garden feeling cheerfully welcoming.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front-of-border cottage bed |
Its compact height and rounded habit form a tidy, low hedge of velvety red clusters that read beautifully against traditional perennials, giving a soft, romantic cottage look with little shaping needed; ideal for the relaxed Irish cottage gardener at home |
| Dublin terraced-house front garden |
Where space is tight, this rose offers strong colour on a modest footprint, creating an inviting, easy-to-read display beside a path or railing without demanding complex care routines; perfect for busy city householders passing |
| Small bedding groups in lawn openings |
Planted in groups at the recommended spacing, it quickly knits into a dense red patch, simplifying design decisions while maximising show from a small area, well suited to those wanting clear structure with minimal planning visually |
| Low flowering hedge along a path |
The floribunda habit lends itself to an even, low ribbon of bloom that guides the eye and gently defines boundaries, staying manageable in height for straightforward clipping and occasional deadheading, ideal for family paths and driveways daily |
| Large container on patio or doorstep |
In a 40–50 litre pot with good drainage, its compact build and repeat clusters create a long-season focal point near the door, easy to water and enjoy up close, suiting those who want impact without digging new beds nearby |
| Mixed border with perennials and grasses |
Its steady repeat flowering and medium height allow it to sit comfortably among cranesbills and airy grasses, providing a dependable red anchor that ties the planting together across the season; a good fit for design-conscious gardeners looking |
| Weather-tolerant show bed in Irish conditions |
The flowers hold their rich red tone and shape respectably even through cool, damp spells with passing showers and shifting light, keeping beds presentable between visits, reassuring for those gardening in changeable Atlantic weather outdoors |
| Long-term, low-fuss family garden feature |
As an own-root shrub, it establishes gradually, then settles into a stable, regenerating form that maintains ornamental value over many years with only moderate care, matching the rhythm of busy households who value reliability longer |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-Ribbon – Run a low line of RED SPOT® along a cottage path, weaving between fragrant cranesbill clumps to soften edges – ideal for those craving a romantic yet easy-care entrance.
- Urban-Welcome – Place a single shrub in a 40–50 litre pot by your front step, underplanted with trailing ivy for year-round structure – suited to city homeowners wanting instant, tidy colour.
- Scarlet-Patch – Mass-plant in small squares within a lawn opening, framing with dwarf grasses so the velvety red stands out – good for families seeking simple, striking structure without complex design.
- Soft-Mix – Combine with pale clematis on a discreet obelisk behind the rose, letting red clusters glow against gentle mauves – perfect for hobby gardeners who enjoy relaxed, layered borders.
- Season-Anchor – Use a trio of shrubs mid-border as a repeating red note among pastel perennials, keeping the scene coherent from early to late season – ideal for planners who like reliable, long-lived planting.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bedding rose; registered as BARspot (BAR 6030), marketed as Red Spot®; ARS exhibition name Red Spot®; part of the Rósra bhláthchlóis commercial group. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Enrico Barni, Rose Barni, Pistoia, Italy; parentage unknown; bred and introduced in 2007, with registration accepted by ARS the same year for international exhibition use. |
| Awards and recognition |
Recipient of a Certificate of Merit at the Lyon International Rose Competition in 2008, indicating strong garden performance and ornamental value under independent trial conditions. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Compact, bushy habit reaching about 50–75 cm high and 45–65 cm wide; dense, mid-green, slightly glossy foliage; moderately thorny stems; suitable for beds, borders and low hedging. |
| Flower morphology |
Semi-double, cup-shaped blooms with 13–25 petals, medium-sized at 4–7 cm, produced in clusters; remontant with generous repeat flushes, especially when lightly deadheaded through the season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep velvety red with subtle dark tones; RHS 187A outer, 187B inner; colour holds well, only lightly lightening in strong sun; older blooms dull towards burgundy rather than fading out. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
No noticeable fragrance; selected primarily for visual effect, colour stability and bedding performance; best combined with scented companions if fragrance is a key design requirement in the garden. |
| Hip characteristics |
Produces moderate quantities of small, spherical red hips, about 6–10 mm in diameter; hips add discreet seasonal interest later in the year without dominating the plant’s overall appearance. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately -21 to -18 °C (H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); average heat and drought tolerance, needs water in long dry spells; moderate resistance to black spot, mildew and rust. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers a sunny site with well-drained but moisture-retentive soil; plant at 30–55 cm spacing depending on use; square spacing about 8.2 plants/m², hexagonal 9.4 plants/m² for full bedding effect. |
RED SPOT® offers compact, long-season red bedding display and reliable structure, and as an own-root rose it develops into a stable, regenerating shrub over the years, making it a thoughtful choice for enduring family gardens.
