Old Port – deep purple bedding floribunda rose – McGredy
Created by McGredy, Old Port is a compact floribunda that brings a classic harbour-side depth of colour to small British gardens with its velvety, crimson‑purple rosettes and strong, lingering fragrance. Its bushy, upright habit suits front gardens and neat borders, staying at a manageable height for easy maintenance and shaping. As an own‑root shrub, it settles securely and can regenerate from the base over time for long-term reliability in family gardens. The generous repeat flowering delivers a summer of colour, while the sparsely thorned stems make close-up enjoyment and light pruning more comfortable. Moderately dense, dark green foliage provides an elegant backdrop that enhances the blooms’ drama, especially when seen from the pavement or a front door. With medium care needs and good black spot resistance, it fits easily into busy routines, provided you offer regular watering and sensible drainage to cope with wetter spells and heavier soils in exposed, coastal or suburban plots. Over the first few seasons it builds roots, then shoots, then full garden character, gradually maturing into a stable, beautifully scented feature in your planting.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front garden focal shrub |
Old Port’s compact, bushy habit and rich purple‑lilac rosettes create an immediate point of interest beside paths, gates or bay windows without dominating a modest front garden. The strong, traditional fragrance welcomes you home each day and rewards regular deadheading with further flushes, suiting visually minded, scent‑loving beginners and homeowners. |
| Small mixed border with perennials |
The upright, moderately dense framework allows Old Port to sit comfortably among cottage‑style perennials such as lady’s mantle or garden wallflowers, its dark foliage and changing bloom tones weaving into seasonal colour schemes. Own‑root growth provides a stable base that integrates well in the border over years, appealing to time‑pressed gardeners. |
| Near seating or terrace |
Placed close to a bench or patio, the large, very double flowers and strong, long‑lasting scent can be fully appreciated at nose height. The plant’s moderate size and sparse prickles make it easier to manage around chairs and tables, ideal for those who want fragrant evening relaxation without demanding maintenance, especially occasional gardeners. |
| Formal bedding and low rose beds |
At around 80–100 cm, Old Port forms tidy, repeated units that line paths or frame lawns in classic rose beds. Its repeat flowering and coordinated planting distances support a coherent, long‑term display with straightforward pruning choices, well suited to those aiming for ordered structure with limited time, including busy families. |
| Specimen rose in a small bed |
As a solitary specimen in a small island bed, Old Port’s colour shifts from deep crimson‑purple to lilac offer season‑long interest against simple underplanting or gravel. The own‑root form allows the shrub to mature steadily into its space, giving dependable structure and bloom performance for design‑conscious but inexperienced owners. |
| Low hedge or repeated line |
Planted at the recommended distances, Old Port forms a low, scented hedge along driveways or boundaries, benefiting from its uniform height and upright habit. Regular deadheading and light trimming are manageable tasks that repay the effort with a refined, flower‑rich line, attractive for neat‑garden seekers and novice planters. |
| Large container on patio (40–50 L+) |
In a 40–50 litre or larger container, Old Port offers deep colour and perfume without taking excessive space, ideal for paved or rented gardens. The shrub’s moderate size and own‑root resilience suit longer‑term pot culture provided watering is consistent, fitting balconies or terraces used by practical yet style‑oriented residents. |
| Border in exposed or damp-prone spots |
Old Port copes well in many British conditions if given well‑prepared soil and attention to drainage, remaining reliable in windy or rain‑affected sites where a bushy, well‑anchored shrub is helpful. This steadiness, combined with moderate disease resistance, eases anxiety for those planting in challenging positions, supporting cautious new gardeners. |
Styling ideas
- Harbour-Deep – combine Old Port with silver foliage and dark containers to echo harbour masonry and old wine tones – ideal for design‑aware homeowners wanting drama near the front door
- Cottage-Corner – mix with lady’s mantle, garden wallflowers and soft grasses around a sitting area to enjoy fragrance at close quarters – perfect for cottage‑style enthusiasts who value relaxed, low‑tech planting
- Evening-Scent – position near a terrace with simple white perennials so the perfume and purple blooms stand out at dusk – suited to busy professionals seeking an easy, after‑work retreat
- Orderly-Edge – repeat plant along a path for a low, structured hedge that stays compact yet floriferous – good for families wanting a tidy look without complex pruning skills
- Patio-Jewel – grow in a 40–50 litre pot with trailing groundcovers to soften the rim and showcase the roses – attractive for balcony and courtyard gardeners with limited space but high aesthetic aims
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Floribunda shrub rose, registered as MACkati, marketed as Old Port bedding floribunda rose; ARS exhibition name Old Port, collection category bedding rose for garden use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Samuel Darragh McGredy IV (McGredy Roses International, Auckland) from ‘Macsupple’ × ‘Big Purple’; registered 1992 and introduced after 1992 via Egmont Roses in New Zealand. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, upright shrub 80–100 cm high and 70–90 cm wide, with moderately dense, matt dark green foliage and sparsely thorned stems; forms a balanced, medium‑sized presence in beds or containers. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very double rosette blooms with 40+ petals, carried singly or in small clusters of 1–3 per stem; remontant with a generous second flush, providing repeated ornamental impact through the season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep crimson‑purple flowers (RHS 77A/77B) opening from velvety dark buds, gradually lightening toward lilac and lilac‑grey tones; colour may warm toward deep pink under high summer heat and strong sun. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, long‑lasting perfume with a full, classic rose character; fragrance is noticeable at close range and around seating areas, making the cultivar particularly suitable where scent is a priority in design. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip set is typically sparse due to the very double flower form; when produced, hips are small, spherical, orange‑red (RHS 43A), around 6–10 mm in diameter and mainly of incidental ornamental interest. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated H7, tolerating approximately −21 to −18 °C (USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); moderate heat and drought tolerance with regular watering needed in dry spells; black spot resistant, moderate to mildew and rust. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suitable for borders, specimens, low hedging and cutting; medium maintenance with periodic pest and disease checks, manual deadheading, and planting at 50–90 cm spacing depending on massing or solitary use. |
Old Port offers rich purple blooms, strong fragrance and a compact, own-root form that matures reliably over time; a thoughtful choice if you want a characterful yet manageable rose.
