SEALED WITH A KISS™ – dark burgundy tea-hybrid rose - Simpson
Premium own-root pharmaROSA® NEONATAL material of SEALED WITH A KISS™ offers a strong foundation for producers targeting exclusive hybrid tea lines where flower quality and exhibition-grade bloom form drive value. As a bush-trained, upright Hybrid Tea with 3–5 framework canes, it is well suited to a premium container route in 5–7 L, feeding efficiently into high-impact specimen and cut-flower oriented ranges. The velvety dark-burgundy, high-centred blooms (L size, fully double, solitary) combine a classic cut-rose silhouette with a rich, strong fragrance that supports differentiated top-tier listings. Own-root production underpins long-term stability, predictable regrowth and homogeneous stands, while robust disease resistance and low general maintenance requirements fit UK nursery networks supplying urban green space and designed beds where reliable performance under wetter, fungal-prone conditions is essential. With hardiness to H7 / approx. -21–-18 °C, growers can schedule this cultivar confidently to serve thematic rose gardens and collection projects, planning for roots to establish in year one, framework to consolidate in year two and full ornamental expression by year three as a long-lived, regenerating asset within wholesale assortments that prioritise sustainable, own-root production.
Usage options
Finished-product ideas
- Premium 5–7 L exhibition Hybrid Tea – Upright, bush-trained plants in 5–7 L pots, selected for high-centred, solitary blooms and strong fragrance, positioned as an exclusive Hybrid Tea highlight for retail benches – retail / reseller.
- Fragrance-feature specimen rose – Finished as a well-framed specimen with 3–5 canes, marketed around strong, classic rose fragrance and dark-burgundy colour for focal planting schemes – garden centre premium ranges.
- Urban showcase bed series – Batch-produced 5–7 L units for municipal or commercial beds, utilising disease resistance and low intervention needs to support reliable displays in high-traffic locations – public-realm suppliers.
- Thematic collection line “Velvet Reds” – Curated cultivar slot within colour- or name-based collections, leveraging own-root longevity and distinctive bloom form for long-term show and thematic gardens – specialist nurseries.
- Hybrid Tea cut-and-garden concept – Dual-purpose finished product positioned for both garden display and home cutting, relying on remontant flowering and exhibition-style blooms to appeal to enthusiast growers – premium mail-order and online retail.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid Tea group cultivar, registered as SIMwhat, marketed as SEALED WITH A KISS™ Hybrid tea rose SIMwhat; commercial Hybrid Tea type for exhibition and cut-flower orientated garden use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Nola M. Simpson at Egmont Roses, New Zealand; introduced 2014 in the United Kingdom via Style Roses and Egmont Roses; parentage not provided and registration year data not available. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright bush growth, approximately 85–115 cm high with 60–80 cm spread; moderately dense, matt, dark green foliage and moderate prickliness; large blooms may require deadheading as self-cleaning is relatively weak. |
| Flower morphology |
Fully double, 26–30 petal flowers, L-sized (approx. 2.75–3.95 in), solitary on stems; high-centred, pointed-budded form typical of cut-rose types; remontant with a generous second flowering period in suitable conditions. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep, velvety crimson-red with a blackish, dark-burgundy cast; buds show dark purplish-red, almost black tones; colour retains reasonably with only slight lightening in strong sun, maintaining a matt, saturated appearance. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Rich, classic rose scent with strong intensity and good throw; fragrance is a key ornamental feature supporting premium and exhibition positioning; double flowers limit pollinator value, making the plant primarily decorative. |
| Hip characteristics |
Rose hip set is generally minimal due to very double flowers; where present, hips are spherical, dark red (around RHS 187A), approximately 12–18 mm diameter, and mainly of observational rather than commercial interest. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Good overall disease resistance, rated resistant to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; hardy to approximately -21–-18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3), enabling reliable overwintering in many UK production regions. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Recommended for flower beds, cut-flower harvesting, specimen planting and urban green spaces; prefers regular watering in warm periods; fits premium container production in 5–7 L with bush training to 3–5 strong canes. |
SEALED WITH A KISS™ Hybrid tea rose SIMwhat combines exclusive flower quality, strong fragrance and reliable disease resistance on a predictable, regenerating own-root base; please contact us to coordinate capacities, timelines and assortments for your programmes.
