Barkarole® hybrid tea rose – TANelorak
Velvety blooms in a deep, dark red lend classic romance to small front gardens and family borders, while the upright, compact habit suits neat beds and paths around the house. As an own-root plant it settles in steadily, forming a stable bush that can regenerate over time for a long, reliable ornamental lifespan. Large, exhibition-quality flowers on strong stems are ideal for cutting into the home, combining garden impact with vase-worthy elegance. The colour holds well in sun and wind, giving dependable display even where you need to manage heavier soil with improved drainage. Over the first few seasons the plant builds roots, then framework, and by the third year it shows its full garden presence, rewarding straightforward care. With moderate maintenance needs and good black spot resistance, it offers attractive blooms with practical, confidence-building ease for everyday gardeners.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front garden feature rose |
The rich, velvety dark red blooms and upright habit make this an ideal focal point near the front door or along a path, offering a smart, traditional look with relatively simple seasonal care for beginners. |
| Small flower bed in a family garden |
Planted in groups of 3–5 at the recommended spacing, the dense foliage and repeat flowering create a full, structured bed that looks cared-for without complex pruning or staking, well suited to busy homeowners. |
| Cutting corner for house flowers |
Long, straight stems and large, very double blooms provide reliable cut flowers through the season, letting you pick armfuls for the home while the plant recovers steadily, appealing to style-conscious gardeners. |
| Mixed cottage-style border |
The deep dark red colour weaves beautifully among foxgloves, yarrow and oriental poppies, adding depth and contrast without overwhelming the border, ideal for relaxed cottage-planting fans and enthusiasts. |
| Near-terrace or seating area |
The mildly scented, elegant flowers on a compact, upright bush work well beside a patio or bench where you can enjoy the colour close-up, with only occasional deadheading, suiting sociable outdoor families. |
| Own-root long-term rose planting |
As an own-root rose, the bush forms its natural shape on site, building a stable framework and regenerating from the base if cut back, a reassuring choice for low-fuss, long-term rose borders and patient planners. |
| Raised bed or improved heavy soil |
The variety appreciates reasonable drainage and regular watering in dry spells, performing well in UK gardens where heavier soils are lifted or enriched, giving dependable display for practical-minded gardeners. |
| Large decorative container (40–50 litres+) |
In a substantial pot of at least 40–50 litres, the upright, medium-sized bush and dark red blooms create a tidy, movable feature that can frame steps or patios with manageable care for space-conscious urbanites. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage Contrast – Combine Barkarole® with foxgloves and oriental poppies for a soft, romantic border where the dark red flowers anchor pastel spires – ideal for classic cottage-garden admirers.
- Formal Focus – Plant a single bush in a small circular bed edged with low box or lavender to create a smart front-garden accent – suited to those seeking a tidy, traditional look.
- Cutting Corner – Group 3 plants in a sunny side bed to produce a steady supply of exhibition-style stems for indoor vases – perfect for home decorators who enjoy fresh arrangements.
- Patio Statement – Grow one plant in a 50-litre terracotta pot flanked by airy grasses for a contemporary yet classic terrace feature – attractive to balcony and patio-focused gardeners.
- Season Span – Mix with perennials like yarrow so their textures fill around the remontant roses, giving a long-season display without complex succession planning – helpful for time-pressed hobbyists.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as TANelorak, marketed as Barkarole® hybrid tea rose TANelorak; also known on the show bench as Taboo™ in American Rose Society exhibition contexts. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Hans Jürgen Evers for Rosen Tantau, Germany, from unnamed seedling parents; bred 1987, introduced and registered 1988, distributed by Rosen Tantau as a premium hybrid tea rose. |
| Awards and recognition |
Holds a recommended “Edelrose” rating from ADR hybrid tea assessments and was entered in the Monza rose competition in 1988, indicating recognised garden and exhibition potential. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, medium-height bush 100–140 cm tall and 50–70 cm wide, with dense, glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickliness; poor self-cleaning so spent blooms benefit from regular removal. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, goblet to cupped blooms with over 40 petals, produced mainly singly on stems; large-flowered hybrid tea type with remontant flowering and a generous second flush in suitable conditions. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep, velvety dark red with a slightly blackish tone; buds appear almost black-red, opening to evenly dark petals with slightly darker edges and only moderate fading in strong sunlight. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Gently scented hybrid tea with a mild, discreet rose fragrance; predominantly grown for its colour and form rather than strong perfume, yet offering a pleasant, understated scent close-up. |
| Hip characteristics |
Very double blooms limit hip set; occasional small ovoid hips 10–14 mm across may form, typically orange-red and egg-shaped, but overall fruiting is light and not a major ornamental feature. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy in USDA zone 6b, RHS H7, tolerating around –21 to –18 °C; moderate overall disease resistance with good black spot resistance, plus moderate heat tolerance but requires watering during drought. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in sunny beds or as specimen plants at 40–90 cm spacing, four per m² for mass planting; suitable for cut flowers, hedging and individual features, with moderate maintenance and pest control needs. |
Barkarole® hybrid tea rose TANelorak offers velvety dark red flowers, reliable repeat bloom and a long-lived own-root bush for gardens and cutting, making it a thoughtful choice if you wish to invest in enduring colour and form.
