OKLAHOMA™ – dark red hybrid tea rose - Swim & Weeks
For those who dream of an English-countryside arbour, OKLAHOMA™ brings deeply romantic, velvety dark-red blooms with a storybook feel and a very strong, classic rose perfume that carries on summer evenings. This own-root, container-grown rose settles reliably even in changeable weather with coastal winds and rain, giving you an easier start than bare-root plants. In its first year it concentrates on roots, the second on building sturdy shoots, and by the third it reveals its full ornamental character with generous repeat flowering. Upright, bushy growth and dense, dark green foliage make it a natural focal point beside a seating area or along a path, ideal for family gardens where you want atmosphere without complicated routines.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Centrepiece rose near a seating or afternoon-tea area |
Large, high-centred blooms and very strong fragrance create an intimate, “afternoon tea beneath an arbour” mood, even in a modest space. The upright habit keeps flowers at nose height for easy enjoyment by romantic gardeners. |
| Feature plant in a cottage-style mixed border |
The tall, bushy structure and dark foliage give reliable vertical interest, while repeat flowering provides colour from early summer onwards. Own-root vigour supports a long-lived, stable presence for traditional homeowners. |
| Statement rose in a large container (40–60 litres) |
Its upright, compact footprint suits a generous pot, where deep, dark blooms can frame a doorway or terrace. A substantial container supports root depth, anchoring growth against stronger winds and showers for urban balcony owners. |
| Small group or avenue planting along a garden path |
Spacing at 100–115 cm creates an elegant, scented walkway with individual shrubs remaining distinct. Medium maintenance needs are manageable when plants are easily accessible for busy family gardeners. |
| Cutting garden row for home-cut flowers and vases |
Classic exhibition-type, high-centred buds on long, straight stems are ideal for cutting, while remontant flowering offers repeated flushes. Own-root plants regenerate well after regular cutting for home florists. |
| Single specimen anchoring a front garden or driveway |
Planted as a solitary at around 175 cm spacing, its height and dark, velvety colour read clearly from the street, giving year-on-year ornamental continuity with minimal reshaping for low-maintenance planners. |
| Rose bed on heavier soils with improved drainage |
In raised beds or improved clay, its upright habit and dense foliage form a refined, structured rose bed. Own-root resilience supports recovery if wet spells or moderate fungal pressure briefly mark leaves for practical growers. |
| Kitchen-garden edge or backdrop to herb beds |
The deep burgundy-red blooms and intense scent give a romantic contrast behind herbs and vegetables, while a clear, upright frame keeps paths usable even when weather brings more frequent wind and rain for cottage-garden lovers. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage Romance – Combine OKLAHOMA™ with soft pink roses, catmint and lady’s mantle to echo traditional village gardens – ideal for cottage-style enthusiasts seeking a gentle, feminine border.
- Evening Perfume – Place near a bench with white foxgloves and lavender so dark blooms and strong fragrance stand out at dusk – suited to homeowners who enjoy lingering summer evenings outdoors.
- Bold Contrast – Pair the velvety dark red with lime heucheras and silver foliage plants for a striking yet tidy front garden – perfect for those wanting drama without complex maintenance.
- Structured Path – Plant a loose row along a path with feather reed grass and low box or lavender edging to create a formal-but-soft walkway – good for families wanting order with a romantic twist.
- Kitchen-Garden Frame – Use as an upright backdrop behind herbs, with burgundy lettuces and chives echoing its tones – attractive for gardeners who like their productive beds to look ornamental too.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose Oklahoma; registered as ‘Oklahoma’, ARS exhibition name Oklahoma; marketed as OKLAHOMA™ – dark red hybrid tea rose - Swim & Weeks. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred in the USA (1963) by Herbert C. Swim and O. L. Weeks at Oklahoma State University; ‘Chrysler Imperial’ × ‘Charles Mallerin’; introduced by Weeks Wholesale Rose Grower in 1964. |
| Awards and recognition |
Gold Medal, Japan Rose Concours, Tokyo, 1963, recognising its outstanding hybrid tea flower form and deep, velvety dark-red colour in international competition settings. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, bushy shrub reaching about 130–170 cm high and 100–140 cm wide; dense, slightly glossy dark green foliage; moderately thorny stems; suited to specimen, border and cutting-garden use. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, high-centred hybrid tea blooms, typically solitary on stems; 40+ petals; large-flowered (around 7–10 cm); classic pointed buds reflecting exhibition-type cut-rose form in the garden. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep, velvety dark red with blackish undertones; very dark buds lighten to uniform burgundy-red, later fading towards brownish red yet remaining visually dark; repeat-flowering with a generous second flush. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, classic old-rose fragrance that readily fills the surrounding garden area in warm, still weather; primarily ornamental, as very full flowers limit access for pollinating insects. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasional ellipsoid red hips, about 12–18 mm in diameter, develop if flowers are left uncut after blooming; hips are decorative rather than produced in abundance. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, Swedish Zone 3, USDA 6b); moderate resistance to black spot, mildew and rust, benefitting from routine monitoring and timely preventive care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Medium maintenance hybrid tea; prefers fertile, well-drained soil and regular feeding; recommended spacing 100–175 cm depending on use; suitable for mass planting, hedging, specimens and cutting gardens. |
OKLAHOMA™ offers velvety dark-red, strongly scented blooms on a long-lived, upright shrub whose own-root form supports dependable regrowth and easy shaping over time, making it a cultured choice for those enhancing a romantic garden corner.
