PICCADILLY – yellow-red hybrid tea rose - McGredy
This classic hybrid tea rose brings a touch of London-inspired elegance to small and medium family gardens, combining refined flower form with an easy, bushy habit that suits simple beds and borders. Its large, high-centred blooms open in a vivid yellow-and-red bicolour, softening gracefully as they age yet remaining showy from a distance, so your front garden keeps its impact between maintenance rounds. As an own-root plant, it settles in securely and rewards patient gardeners with strengthening structure and flowering from roots in year one, top growth in year two and full ornamental value by year three, supporting a long-lived, reliable display. Medium maintenance needs are straightforward for beginners: regular watering, light feeding and occasional deadheading are usually enough for confident results. In typical British conditions it copes well with damp spells and breezy weather, provided it is planted in a sunny position with reasonable drainage to prevent issues on heavier soils and during persistent rain and wind near the coast. The upright yet compact structure makes it ideal for planting in small groups or as a single statement near a path, and it adapts well to mixed cottage-style combinations. Flowers are pleasantly fruity-scented rather than overpowering, and their form and stem length are excellent for cutting, so you can enjoy your own bouquets indoors. Over the years, its own-root resilience supports steady rejuvenation and a long lifespan with only modest, flexible pruning each winter.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front garden accent rose |
Large, high-centred flowers in a clear yellow-red bicolour give striking kerb appeal in even modest beds, while the bushy, upright habit keeps the plant neat by the front path and easy to maintain for beginners. |
| Small cottage-style mixed border |
The compact height and dense, glossy foliage allow it to sit comfortably among perennials and low shrubs, providing repeat-flowering structure without overwhelming nearby plants, ideal for cottage-style gardeners seeking colour. |
| Cutting patch in a family garden |
Exhibition-bred, high-centred blooms on good stems make reliable cut flowers, so a short row in the veg or utility area can supply the house with classic hybrid tea roses, appealing to home decorators and flower-arranging enthusiasts. |
| Small group planting (3–5 plants) |
Planting in a tight group at recommended spacing quickly creates a continuous block of colour, and as an own-root rose it knits into a stable, long-term clump, suiting busy owners who want impact with minimal effort. |
| Formal bed in urban front gardens |
The tidy, upright structure and medium maintenance needs work well where space is limited and access is from pavements or drives, allowing straightforward care routines that suit time-pressed city and suburban gardeners. |
| Sunny border on heavier soils |
Best in full sun with reasonable drainage, it performs reliably in many British gardens, and on heavier clays or wetter sites a shallow raised strip helps roots cope with prolonged wet and windy spells near coastal areas. |
| Feature rose in a large container |
Its bushy form and repeat-flowering habit make it well suited to a substantial pot of at least 40–50 litres, giving a strong focal point on patios or balconies for those without much ground space but wanting classic roses. |
| Long-term structural rose in family gardens |
As an own-root plant it ages steadily, rebuilding growth from the base after pruning or minor damage, offering a durable, repeat-flowering shrub for families who prefer enduring plantings over frequent replacements and replanting. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage contrast – Combine with soft pinks, whites and airy perennials for a relaxed cottage feel with a bold bicolour focal point – ideal for front-garden romantics.
- Formal trio – Plant three in a triangle in a neat gravel bed to emphasise their upright structure and glossy foliage – suited to tidy, low-input layouts.
- Patio statement – Grow one plant in a 50-litre terracotta pot with trailing herbs or low heucheras at the base – perfect for balcony and small-patio users.
- Cutting corner – Dedicate a sunny border section with staggered rows for easy access to stems for vases – appealing to home florists and entertainers.
- Evergreen frame – Underplant with dwarf heucheras and edge with low box or similar for year-round structure with seasonal bicolour blooms – for design-conscious homeowners.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose group; registered as MACar, traded as Piccadilly Hybrid tea rose MACar; exhibition name Piccadilly; classic cut-flower and garden hybrid tea. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Samuel Darragh McGredy IV from ‘McGredy’s Yellow’ × ‘Karl Herbst’; introduced by Samuel McGredy & Son, Nurserymen in 1959 for gardens and exhibition. |
| Awards and recognition |
RNRS Certificate of Merit (1959) and Gold Medals in Madrid and Rome (1960), confirming strong ornamental performance and exhibition-quality flower form. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, upright habit, 80–110 cm high and 60–85 cm wide with dense, glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickles; forms a balanced, medium-sized shrub for borders. |
| Flower morphology |
Double, high-centred, pointed-budded blooms with 26–30 petals; extra-large solitary flowers repeat freely through the season, providing both garden and cutting value. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Yellow-red bicolour (ARS YR; RHS 13B outer, 45A inner); sunshine yellow centres with scarlet edges, softly fading to creamy yellow and pink tones in strong sun. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Mild, fruity fragrance, noticeable at close range without dominating nearby seating areas; suitable for front paths and entrances where subtle scent is preferred. |
| Hip characteristics |
Produces moderate numbers of small, spherical bright red hips 6–10 mm across, which can add discreet late-season interest if spent blooms are not removed. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about -21 to -18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b); medium disease resistance overall, notably good against black spot, with regular watering needed in dry spells. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in sunny, open positions; medium maintenance with light pruning and some deadheading; plant 40–75 cm apart depending on use, ensuring adequate watering in summer. |
PICCADILLY – yellow-red hybrid tea rose - McGredy offers award-winning bicolour blooms, a tidy upright habit and own-root longevity, making it a sound, long-term choice for understated yet elegant family gardens.
