SEALED WITH A KISS™ – dark burgundy tea-hybrid rose - Simpson
Step outside to meet SEALED WITH A KISS™, a richly romantic hybrid tea that turns even a small Irish front garden into a soft, rain-washed stroll of velvet colour and fragrant calm. Large, high-centred blooms in deep burgundy unfold one by one on upright stems, perfect for those who love to cut their own bouquet without fuss. Bred for good disease resistance, it keeps its dark foliage clean in our mild, damp climate, quietly coping with humidity and rain-splashed petals. As an own-root rose it settles in reliably, rewarding you with a long, steady life in the border. Plant once, then enjoy the natural rhythm: roots in year one, generous shoots in year two, and full ornamental impact by year three, with remontant flowering that returns in rich waves for ongoing delight. In a classic Irish cottage setting or a narrow Dublin terrace, its upright habit and moderate spread make it wonderfully manageable for busy gardeners seeking deep colour, romantic form and strong, enduring character.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Feature rose in a small front garden |
The upright, compact habit fits narrow Dublin terrace fronts and cottage gateways, giving a strong focal point without overwhelming the space. Repeated large blooms provide long-season colour right by the path for passers-by and visitors alike, ideal for the busy homeowner. |
| Romantic cut-flower source by the back door |
High-centred, exhibition-style blooms on sturdy stems make it excellent for vases, offering classic hybrid tea form and deep, velvety burgundy for the kitchen table. Regular cutting encourages new flowers, extending the season for those who enjoy bringing the garden indoors, perfect for the home florist. |
| Low-maintenance specimen in a mixed border |
Good resistance to black spot, mildew and rust keeps foliage attractive with minimal spraying, suiting nature-aware gardeners who prefer simple routines. Occasional deadheading is usually enough to sustain performance, particularly appealing to the time-poor gardener. |
| Long-lived “heirloom” rose near a seating area |
As an own-root plant, it regenerates well from the base and maintains its character over many years, even after hard pruning or weather damage. This supports thoughtful, future-focused planting for families wanting a lasting feature beside a bench, valued by the long-term planner. |
| Cottage-style bed with rich evening colour |
The dark, velvety burgundy flowers deepen in tone as they open, giving a luxurious, moody accent among lighter perennials and traditional cottage plants. This contrast is especially effective in soft evening light, delighting the romantic traditionalist. |
| Fragrant corner outside a window |
A strong, classic rose fragrance carries on still air, especially after rain, making it ideal below an opening window or near a frequently used door. The scent adds a calming everyday ritual for anyone who likes to pause and breathe, suiting the fragrance lover. |
| Urban rose bed in rainy, humid conditions |
Its disease resistance and reliable performance suit Irish city gardens where air humidity and frequent showers can challenge fussier roses, coping well with our cool, damp seasons and soft light. This gives confidence to the first-time gardener. |
| Statement rose in a large container (40–50 L+) |
In a generous container of at least 40–50 litres, its upright structure and generous blooms create a portable feature for patios or balconies. Own-root vigour helps it recover from occasional lapses in care, making it forgiving for the balcony gardener. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-Romantic – Underplant with soft pink geraniums and nepeta to offset the dark burgundy blooms, creating a storybook Irish cottage look – for the nostalgic dreamer.
- Front-Door Focus – Flank a path with two specimens edged by low box or hebe to form a welcoming, fragrant entrance – for the house-proud urbanite.
- Evening-Moody – Combine with silver foliage such as Stachys and pale foxgloves so the velvety flowers glow at dusk – for the after-work unwinder.
- Cutting-Corner – Plant in a small dedicated bed with other hybrid teas in complementary reds and creams to ensure a steady supply of long-stemmed blooms – for the home bouquet-maker.
- Climber-Companion – Place near a wall with Clematis viticella in lighter tones and Parthenocissus above, so the rose anchors the scheme at eye level – for the vertical-space maximiser.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as SIMwhat, marketed as Sealed with a Kiss™; commercial type hybrid tea, collection Hybrid tea rose, premium silver merit rating. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Nola M. Simpson for Egmont Roses, New Zealand; introduced in 2014 in the United Kingdom by Style Roses and Egmont Roses; parentage not recorded. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright bush 85–115 cm high, 60–80 cm spread, moderately dense dark green matt foliage, moderately thorny shoots; weak self-cleaning so spent blooms may remain and benefit from deadheading. |
| Flower morphology |
Large 7–10 cm, fully double, 26–30 petal flowers, solitary on stems; high-centred, pointed buds of classic cut-rose form; remontant with a generous second flush through the season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep, velvety crimson-red with blackish burgundy tones; ARS code dr, RHS 60A outer, 60B inner; buds near-black purplish red, moderate fading only in strong sun, generally good colour retention. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, long-range scent with rich, classic rose character; fragrance noticeable in still air and near paths or seating, particularly after showers and during mild evening periods. |
| Hip characteristics |
Rose hip set usually sparse due to very double flowers; occasional spherical dark red hips (RHS 187A), 12–18 mm diameter, forming where pollination succeeds late in the season. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Good resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; hardy approximately to −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 3, USDA 6b); dislikes prolonged drought and needs regular watering in warm spells. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with well-drained soil; plant 60 cm apart in beds, 50 cm in hedges, 90 cm as specimens; density 2.8–3.2 plants/m²; deadhead for best display and water consistently in dry conditions. |
SEALED WITH A KISS™ rewards you with sumptuous dark burgundy blooms, strong classic fragrance and a long-lived, resilient own-root habit; an excellent choice if you would like a quietly reliable garden companion.
