CAPRICIA™ – deep red nostalgia rose – Olesen
This romantic shrub rose brings a sense of storybook cosiness to typical family gardens, combining very strong, enduring fragrance with nostalgic rosette blooms in deep, velvety colour. As an own-root, container-grown plant it settles quickly, building a durable framework that suits small borders and cottage-style beds even where soils are heavier and need careful drainage. The dense, glossy foliage gives reliable summer structure, while repeat flushes of XL, cluster-borne flowers provide generous flowering for cut stems and evening perfume around seating areas. Over the first few seasons it develops steadily into a bushy, upright shrub, rewarding light, flexible pruning and simple care routines that fit easily around busy families.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Main focal rose near terrace or seating |
The combination of very strong, long-lasting scent and XL, rosette-form blooms makes Capricia™ ideal where you sit, dine or enjoy afternoon tea, creating a romantic, storybook focal point for fragrance lovers and traditional-style homeowners. |
| Cottage-style mixed border in a family garden |
Bushy, upright growth to around 110–160 cm with dense foliage gives reliable vertical structure in modest borders, threading deep-red clusters through perennials and herbs for an English countryside cottage effect that appeals to cottage-garden enthusiasts. |
| Small hedge or repeat line along a path |
Recommended hedge spacing of about 55 cm allows plants to knit into a scented, visually solid line, while own-root vigour supports long-lived hedging with simple annual shaping, suiting planners of informal yet ordered garden layouts. |
| Specimen in a large container (40–50 L+) |
In a 40–50 litre or larger pot, Capricia™ forms a tidy, upright shrub whose repeat flowering and glossy leaves give season-long impact, with manageable pruning and watering for balcony, patio or small-plot gardeners. |
| Feature rose in heavier or chalky garden soils |
Grows well when given improved topsoil and raised- or open-planting, coping with typical British garden conditions where heavier clay or chalky ground is common, particularly attractive to owners of challenging-soil properties. |
| Romantic, scented rose for cut flowers |
Long-stemmed, cluster-flowering shoots with very double, velvety blooms and intense, lasting perfume lend themselves to cutting, bringing classic deep-red romance indoors for those who enjoy arranging home-grown bouquets. |
| Long-term feature shrub in a settled family garden |
As an own-root rose it rebuilds from the base after hard pruning or weather damage, supporting a long lifespan and stable ornamental value for gardeners who prefer durable, once-planted feature shrubs. |
| Low-input, traditional rose bed with seasonal interest |
Moderate disease resistance, repeat flowering and a clear, upright habit allow simple winter or early-spring pruning and light summer deadheading, fitting the needs of time-pressed but style-conscious garden beginners. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-hedge romance – Plant Capricia™ in a loose line with lavender and nepeta to edge a path, creating a scented, storybook walk – ideal for families who like a traditional cottage feel.
- Teacup terrace focus – Grow one or two plants in 50 L containers with thyme and small grasses for a fragrant terrace centrepiece – suited to urban homeowners with limited planting space.
- Kitchen-garden charm – Mix among herbs, runner beans and old-fashioned annuals for a “girly” potager look – perfect for those who want productive beds with romantic touches.
- Deep-red feature bed – Group three shrubs in a triangle with white foxgloves and pale pink roses to highlight its velvety colour – for enthusiasts building a nostalgic rose collection.
- Storybook front garden – Combine with box edging, alliums and climbers on an arbour to frame the front path – recommended for households aiming for classic, welcoming kerb appeal.
Technical cultivar profile
| Aspect | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Shrub rose, nostalgia type; registered as POUlren024, marketed as Capricia™ Renaissance® POUlren024; romantic collection cultivar with exhibition suitability as a fragrant shrub rose. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Mogens Nyegaard Olesen, Poulsen Roser A/S, Denmark, from unnamed seedling parents; bred 2006, registered 2013 in the EU and later introduced internationally after trials. |
| Awards and recognition |
Holder of the Tollcross Fragrance Prize at the Glasgow International Rose Trials 2016, recognising its notable scent performance among contemporary shrub and garden roses. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, upright shrub reaching about 110–160 cm high and 70–110 cm across; dense, glossy green foliage (RHS 147A); moderately thorny stems; carries flowers on cluster-forming shoots. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, rosette-style blooms with more than 40 petals; extra-large flower size, borne in clusters; strongly remontant, providing a generous second flowering and further repeat flushes. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep, velvety crimson-red with burgundy tones; RHS 53A outer, 60A inner; buds dark burgundy-black; colour darkens rather than fading, often ending in near-blackish red on the oldest petals. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, long-lasting fragrance of classic rose character; intensifies around seating areas and paths; suitable for fragrant gardens and cut use where perfume is a primary selection criterion. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip set is minimal due to the densely double bloom form; occasional tiny hips may form, usually around 0–3 mm in diameter and of negligible ornamental or wildlife-gardening significance. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 3, USDA 6b); moderate resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; benefits from basic good practice in wet or humid seasons. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in sunny positions with improved soil; suited to flowerbeds, specimen planting, park and scented gardens; medium maintenance, occasional plant protection desirable in disease-prone conditions. |
Capricia™ offers velvety deep-red, strongly scented blooms on a bushy, repeat-flowering shrub whose own-root form supports long-term resilience and simple care, making it a thoughtful choice for classically styled family gardens.
