Alec's Red Rose Bushes

• Variety Alec's Red
• Type Hybrid Tea
• Colour Deep cherry-crimson
• Fragrance Strong — rich, classic rose
• Height 100cm (3.5ft)
• Flowering June to October, repeat-flowering
• Aspect Full sun
• Good for Cut flowers, borders, specimen planting
• Sold as Bare root (November–March) and potted plants
• Delivered By next-day courier. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Alec's Red is a deep cherry-crimson Hybrid Tea rose with large, high-centred double blooms and outstanding fragrance. Bred in Scotland in 1970, this award-winning classic remains one of the finest scented Hybrid Teas you can grow, flowering reliably from June to October.

Alec's Red, a Scottish Classic with Serious Scent

Named for Alec Cocker, the renowned Scottish rose breeder who raised it, Alec's Red has earned its place among the world's great roses. When it was released in 1970, it won the President's International Trophy and took Gold Medals in several international competitions. That's not sentimental nostalgia—it's recognition of a genuinely outstanding variety that still delivers.

What sets Alec's Red apart is the quality of its fragrance. Many modern Hybrid Teas have sacrificed scent for form and colour; this rose does both brilliantly. The blooms are large, perfectly shaped with that classic high centre that Hybrid Teas are bred for, and they're a rich, deep cherry-crimson that darkens as they mature. Cut one and bring it indoors, and you'll understand why it became a florist favourite. The perfume is strong and genuinely complex—that old-fashioned rose scent that serious gardeners prize.

It flowers from June through to October on a sturdy, well-proportioned bush that reaches about 100cm (3.5ft). It's a reliable repeater, so dead-head spent blooms and you'll get consistent flushes throughout the summer. This is a rose that wants to perform for you, and with sensible care, it will.

Growing Alec's Red Successfully

Plant Alec's Red in full sun—at least six hours daily—and give it well-draining, fertile soil enriched with organic matter. Like all Hybrid Teas, it benefits from mulching and regular feeding during the growing season. Pruning is straightforward: in spring, cut back hard to about 30-40cm, removing any crossing or dead wood. Throughout the summer, remove faded flowers promptly to encourage more blooms.

This is a rose for borders or as a specimen where you want the flowers close enough to enjoy their scent. It's also superb as a cut flower, which makes it a natural choice if you grow roses for the house. The stems are long and sturdy, the blooms hold well in water, and the fragrance will fill a room.

Why Alec's Red Matters

Alec Cocker was one of Scotland's greatest rose breeders, and Alec's Red represents that heritage perfectly. It's a rose bred and selected the hard way—through competition and grower trials—at a time when standards were exacting. It has aged beautifully and remains relevant precisely because it doesn't compromise. You get colour, you get form, you get scent, and you get a rose that flowers for months.

Companion Plants for Scented Roses

Alec's Red's rich crimson blooms and strong fragrance pair beautifully with soft foliage plants and complementary flowers. Underplant with lavender for colour echo and additional scent, or edge the bed with grey-leaved herbaceous perennials such as artemisia. Clematis trained through nearby structures adds vertical interest without competing for space, whilst alliums introduce architectural purple tones. For a traditional rose garden scheme, combine with other Hybrid Tea roses in complementary shades.

Why Buy Your Roses from Ashridge Nurseries?

All our roses are budded onto vigorous rootstock and grown for us by specialist growers. We're Which? Gardening Best Plant Supplier award winners and holders of the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award. Explore our full rose collection today.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Alec's Red?

Bare-root roses plant best from November to March when dormant. Potted roses can go in any time the ground isn't frozen, but autumn and spring are ideal. Read our rose growing guide for detailed planting advice.

How tall will Alec's Red grow?

It reaches approximately 100cm (3.5ft) tall and spreads to about 60cm (2ft) wide. It's a medium-sized Hybrid Tea, perfect for borders where you want good visibility of the blooms and easy access for cutting flowers.

Is Alec's Red a good cut flower?

Excellent. The long stems, perfectly formed blooms, and outstanding fragrance make it a natural for cutting. Pick in early morning or evening when stems are full of water, and condition them in deep water before arranging.

When and how should I prune Alec's Red?

Prune in spring as new growth appears, cutting back to 30-40cm and removing dead or crossing wood. During the season, deadhead spent blooms. For detailed pruning guidance, see our rose pruning guide.

Why does my Alec's Red produce fewer flowers in summer?

Hybrid Teas need full sun (six hours minimum daily), feeding during the growing season, and regular deadheading. Check for pests, ensure soil isn't waterlogged, and mulch to retain moisture. Our growing guide covers common issues in detail.