BLUE TANGO – mauve-lilac bedding floribunda rose – Schade
Bring a touch of storybook romance to your garden with BLUE TANGO, a tall, upright floribunda that surrounds everyday life with long-lasting, mauve-lilac colour and a strong, citrus-damask fragrance. Its dense, mid-green foliage frames the very double, cup-shaped blooms beautifully, while robust disease resistance keeps maintenance low in typical British conditions, even where summer air feels heavy and fungal problems are a concern. As an own-root plant in a pharmaROSA ORIGINAL 2-litre pot, it offers reassuring longevity, regenerating from the base if damaged and settling reliably into family gardens. Ideal for relaxed cottage borders, hedging and specimen plantings, it is equally at home in a generous 40–50 litre container, adding vertical structure to patios or terraces. Plant once, then enjoy the steady development from establishing roots to maturing shoots and finally a full, romantic ornamental display over the first few seasons.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Classic cottage-style border beside a family lawn |
The tall, upright habit and dense foliage give a vertical anchor in mixed borders without needing complex pruning, while the mauve-lilac clusters repeat flower reliably through summer, easing work for time-pressed gardeners seeking a relaxed English cottage look – beginners |
| Low-maintenance flowering hedge along paths or driveways |
Regular spacing at hedging distances creates a softly billowing hedge, with repeat-flowering clusters and good disease resistance keeping the line attractive even where spraying is not practical, ideal for front gardens that must look cared-for with minimal effort – busy-owners |
| Specimen rose near seating, terrace or pergola |
The strong, distinctive citrus and damask scent makes BLUE TANGO perfect beside a favourite bench or patio table, giving afternoon tea corners a romantic, cosy atmosphere as repeated flushes of bloom carry fragrance on warm days with little extra maintenance required – scent-lovers |
| Mixed planting with perennials and ornamental grasses |
Its upright structure and mid-green foliage pair naturally with perennials such as Phlox paniculata and airy grasses like Calamagrostis, creating a soft, layered cottage effect; the stable mauve-lilac colour weaves gently through summer schemes without clashing – design-focused |
| Large containers on patios, balconies or roof terraces |
In a 40–50 litre container, the strong root system and upright framework give height and long-season colour where borders are limited, while own-root vigour and heat tolerance support steady growth in more exposed, paved or urban positions with simple watering routines – urban-gardeners |
| Partially shaded corners of the garden |
Suitability for partial shade means it performs well where many roses sulk, and in these positions the cool-toned mauve-lilac blooms deepen in colour rather than scorching, turning awkward side gardens or dappled spots into gently glowing, romantic focal points – shade-challenged |
| Family gardens seeking durable, long-lived planting |
As an own-root floribunda with robust hardiness, it ages gracefully, regenerating from its own wood after harsh winters or accidental damage, offering a stable presence that quietly matures with the garden and reduces the need for frequent replacements or replanting – practical-families |
| Low-input beds in areas prone to damp air and fungal issues |
High resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust allows reliable flowering without intensive spraying, especially valuable in regions where humid, still air encourages disease, helping borders remain healthy-looking even under inconsistent, weather-dependent care – time-poor |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-Romantic – Thread BLUE TANGO through a border of foxgloves, phlox and catmint for a soft, storybook mauve-and-pastel ribbon – suited to homeowners creating an English countryside feel.
- Fragrant-Nook – Plant one or two near a bench or arbour, underplanted with lavender and thyme, to build an intimate afternoon-tea corner – ideal for scent enthusiasts and readers.
- Hedged-Pathway – Run a loose, flowering hedge along a garden path, interspersing roses with low box or clipped lavender – perfect for families wanting gentle structure without formality.
- Contemporary-Pot – Use a single plant in a 40–50 litre container with pale gravel mulch and cool-toned hostas around the base – appealing to urban terrace and balcony owners.
- Grass-Meadow – Combine with Calamagrostis and other upright grasses for a light, swaying backdrop that highlights the mauve blooms – for gardeners who enjoy modern naturalistic planting.
Technical cultivar profile
| Characteristic | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
BLUE TANGO bedding floribunda rose, shrub rose type; part of the Bedding rose collection, ARS exhibition name ‘Blue Tango’, bred by Karin Schade, commercial bed rose for garden and landscape use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred in Germany in 2011 from ‘Blue For You’ × unknown parentage; breeder Karin Schade, with limited published data on breeding company or initial distribution, now offered as an own-root garden rose. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Strong, upright shrub reaching around 150–210 cm in height and 75–105 cm spread, with dense, mid-green, slightly glossy foliage and moderate prickliness, forming a vertical, bushy presence in borders. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, cup-shaped clusters of medium-sized flowers (about 1.5–2.75 in), typically borne in sprays; 40+ petals per bloom, with remontant, abundant second flushes for sustained garden display. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Soft, cool mauve-lilac with a silvery veil, ARS m; RHS 75B outer and 76C inner, colour paler in early summer and deeper in autumn, holding well without scorching and fading to silvery-rosy tones. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, distinctive scent combining fresh citrus notes with classic damask rose character; perfume is evident in warm, still weather and particularly noticeable when planted close to seating or paths. |
| Hip characteristics |
Forms moderately abundant, spherical red hips about 5–8 mm in diameter after flowering, adding discrete seasonal interest in late season where spent blooms are not deadheaded too rigorously. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated resistant to black spot, powdery mildew and rust; heat and moderate drought tolerant, with winter hardiness to about –23 to –21 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6a, Swedish zone 3) for dependable garden performance. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to borders, hedging, specimen and park planting; plant 65 cm apart for beds, 55 cm for hedges, about 100 cm as specimens, 2.5–2.9 plants/m², in well-drained soil, also effective in large containers. |
BLUE TANGO offers tall, fragrant mauve-lilac flowering with good disease resistance and long own-root durability, making it a thoughtful choice for relaxed, romantic gardens where you prefer planting once and then simply enjoying.
