Fountain – blood-red hybrid tea rose – Tantau
Velvety blooms on an upright, balanced shrub make Fountain an easy choice if you want classic hybrid tea elegance without demanding care routines in a typical British family garden exposed to brisk showers and coastal winds; the deep blood-red flowers open from dark, almost blackened buds into large, goblet-shaped blooms with a romantic character, repeating generously from early summer into autumn so that even a small front bed feels thoughtfully planned. Its naturally upright, well-furnished frame and glossy dark green foliage build a solid, long-lived presence, while the own-root form settles steadily, forming a resilient framework that copes well with ordinary garden soils when you give it reasonable drainage. Over the first few seasons it moves from quiet root-building to confident top growth and, by the third year, a fully developed display that rewards you with reliable colour, low routine work, lasting fragrance and reassuringly healthy foliage.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front garden focal point |
Large, velvety red hybrid tea blooms and strong scent give a single shrub clear presence beside a path or gate, echoing traditional British front gardens while remaining simple to manage for beginners. |
| Small mixed border in a family garden |
The upright habit and dark, glossy leaves slot easily among perennials without sprawling, providing vertical accents and long-season colour that keep borders looking ordered with limited effort for the busy. |
| Classic rose bed with 3–5 specimens |
Planting in a small group at the recommended spacing creates a balanced, formal effect and an even flowering surface, giving dependable structure and impact over many years for the style-conscious. |
| Low-maintenance around-the-house planting |
Good disease resistance and modest maintenance needs make Fountain suitable near doors, drives and patios where you prefer clean foliage and repeat flowers without constant spraying or complex pruning for the time-poor. |
| Large containers and tub plantings |
Grows well in a sturdy 40–50 litre pot, where the upright, compact framework and showy flowers dress entrances and terraces, remaining manageable in height for the urban. |
| Structure in cottage-style mixes |
The straight, well-branched form and dense foliage provide a calm backbone among looser perennials, keeping romantic cottage combinations visually anchored yet easy to look after for the aesthetic. |
| Long-lived feature in established rose areas |
As an own-root shrub, it builds a stable base that regenerates well after pruning, gradually maturing into a durable, reliable presence that repays patient care for the experienced. |
| Beds in exposed or wind-prone sites |
A solid framework and balanced growth help it stand up to typical British gusts and rain without collapsing, offering reassuring reliability in less sheltered gardens for the practical. |
Styling ideas
- Crimson Formality – Plant three Fountain roses in a gentle arc near the front door, underplanted with low box or lavender for a composed, welcoming entrance – ideal for homeowners who like neat structure.
- Cottage Contrast – Combine Fountain with pale foxgloves, catmint and soft pink geraniums so the deep red blooms punctuate a haze of lighter tones – suited to lovers of relaxed cottage charm.
- Evening Terrace – Grow a single shrub in a 50 litre terracotta pot with trailing thyme and white bacopa to enjoy scented, velvety blooms beside outdoor seating – perfect for small patios and balconies.
- Family-Friendly Strip – Line a sunny fence with spaced Fountain plants, weaving in hardy herbs such as sage and oregano for a simple, fragrant border – good for busy families wanting easy colour.
- Season-Long Accent – Mix Fountain into a perennial border with salvias and ornamental grasses so its repeat flowering threads rich red highlights through summer – appealing to gardeners who value continuity.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose Fountain (registered as Fountain), also marketed as Fountain hybrid tea rose; belongs to the Hybrid Tea, Shrub group and is used both as a garden and exhibition bloom. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Mathias Tantau Jr. at Rosen Tantau, Germany, and introduced in 1969; parentage is not recorded, but selection focused on classic flower form and garden reliability. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright shrub 120–160 cm tall with 85–115 cm spread, carrying dense, dark green, glossy foliage and moderate prickles; develops a sturdy, balanced framework under normal garden conditions. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, goblet-shaped blooms with 26–39 petals, typically borne singly on stems; remontant with a strong second flush, providing high-impact, formal flowers suitable for cutting. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep blood-red flowers (RHS 53A–53B) opening vivid and velvety, then deepening to crimson and finally wine-red with slight edge browning; good colour retention and prolonged decorative value. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Noted for a strong, long-lasting scent typical of classic hybrid teas; fragrance persists well on the plant and in cut stems, enhancing its value near paths, seating areas and house entrances. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasionally forms small, spherical red hips 8–12 mm in diameter; hips are scattered rather than abundant, adding a discreet autumn accent without significantly affecting flowering. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated hardy to approximately –21 to –18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish Zone 3); good resistance reported to powdery mildew, black spot and rust, supporting lower-input care regimes. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Plant 55–100 cm apart depending on use; prefers well-drained soil, especially on heavy clay; low maintenance once established, with routine pruning and balanced feeding maintaining form and flowering. |
Fountain offers velvety red, strongly scented blooms on a healthy, upright shrub that establishes steadily as an own-root rose for long, low-effort enjoyment in a typical family garden, making it a thoughtful choice for your next planting.
