OLYMPIAD™ – red hybrid tea rose - McGredy
Step outside after rain and imagine a narrow path edged with velvet red blooms: OLYMPIAD™ brings classic hybrid tea poise to the compact, “girly” London front garden while coping well with gusty, damp weather and heavier soils. Its upright habit fits small plots and terraces, yet the XL, high-centred flowers still read perfectly from the street or balcony. As an own-root rose, this cultivar develops quietly beneath the surface in the first year, then builds strong stems in year two and reaches full ornamental impact by year three, giving you a long-lived feature rather than a short-term display. The dense foliage forms a leafy, matt-green backdrop that stays attractive across the season, while the good heat tolerance means summer sun and warm walls are more pleasure than problem, provided you water in dry spells. With low routine maintenance needs and no graft union to protect, this rose is well suited to busy owners who still want a refined, sustainable focal point that rewards simple, consistent care.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front garden statement rose |
The strong, upright habit and XL, high-centred red blooms create an immediate focal point beside a front door or bay window, with dense foliage giving structure even between flushes for the style-conscious homeowner. |
| Cutting and vase display |
Bred as an exhibition hybrid tea, the long, straight stems and durable flowers offer impressive vase life, so a single bush can supply multiple indoor arrangements through summer for the enthusiastic hobby-gardener. |
| Compact flowering hedge |
Planted at recommended hedge spacing, its regular height and dense leaf canopy knit into a neat, semi-formal boundary that softens fencing without demanding complex clipping for the practical garden-owner. |
| Rainwater-wise city border |
Deep roots from the own-root form and a resilient constitution help it cope with typical British showers and heavier front-garden soils, making it a sound choice where you direct roof run-off for the eco-aware urbanite. |
| Feature container on patio or balcony |
In a 40–50 litre peat-free container with good drainage, its vertical form and showy flowers provide height and colour without sprawling, ideal where paving dominates and planting pockets are limited for the space-conscious balcony-owner. |
| Low-intervention family garden rose |
Good disease resistance and generally low intervention needs mean routine deadheading and basic feeding are usually enough to keep the plant healthy and flowering through the season for the time-poor parent. |
| Sun-facing mixed border anchor |
Heat tolerance allows planting against sun-warmed walls or fences; regular watering during prolonged dry spells keeps foliage and bloom quality high, providing a reliable red accent for the climate-adapting gardener. |
| Long-term structural planting |
Own-root growth encourages a deep, resilient framework that regenerates well after hard pruning, supporting a long lifespan and stable ornamental performance across years for the forward-thinking planner. |
Styling ideas
- Olympic-Red Welcome – Line a short front path with OLYMPIAD™ underplanted with dwarf heuchera to echo the rich red blooms and matt foliage – ideal for design-conscious terrace owners.
- Velvet-and-Lavender – Pair in a sunny bed with lavender or nepeta to contrast soft blue mounds against upright scarlet flowers – suitable for relaxed family gardens.
- Balcony-Showpiece – Grow one plant in a 40–50 litre pot with trailing sedum and sea thrift at the base to soften edges – perfect for busy urban balcony gardeners.
- Formal-Edge Glow – Create a low hedge along a drive or front wall, repeating OLYMPIAD™ at regular intervals to give rhythm and year-on-year structure – good for homeowners seeking order without fuss.
- Contemporary-Scarlet Focus – Use a single specimen as a vertical accent in a minimal gravel or slate setting, letting the red blooms provide all the drama – best for those favouring bold, modern planting.
Technical cultivar profile
| Characteristic |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose; registered as MACauck, marketed as OLYMPIAD™ hybrid tea rose MACauck; ARS exhibition name Olympiad; premium gold authenticity-verified own-root plant. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Samuel Darragh McGredy IV (McGredy Roses International, New Zealand) from ‘Red Planet’ × ‘Pharaoh’; registered 1974, introduced from 1974 onwards in several markets. |
| Awards and recognition |
All-America Rose Selections award in 1984 confirmed its garden merit in varied climates; Portland Gold Medal in 1995 underlined enduring performance and ornamental value. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, medium-tall bush reaching about 100–140 cm high and 65–95 cm wide, with dense, matt mid-green foliage and moderate prickles; spent blooms may need manual removal. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, high-centred blooms with 26–39 petals on mainly solitary stems; pointed buds open repeatedly through the season, with a particularly abundant second flush in good conditions. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Rich, uniform scarlet red (RHS 46A–46B) with a slightly velvety sheen; colour holds well even in strong sun, fading only gently towards deeper carmine without unsightly pale patches. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Mild, fruity fragrance with a subtly scented rose character; not overpowering near doors or seating, yet discernible at close range when cutting stems or passing during warm, still weather. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasionally forms small, spherical red hips about 8–12 mm in diameter; modest but attractive late-season decoration if some flowers are left un-deadheaded toward the end of summer. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to around −26 to −23 °C (RHS H7, USDA 5b, Swedish Zone 4); good tolerance of heat with watering in drought; resistant to powdery mildew, black spot and rust in typical UK gardens. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in sunny sites with fertile, well-drained soil; plant at 50–90 cm spacing depending on use; suitable for beds, hedges, specimen, cut flowers, larger containers and park-style plantings. |
OLYMPIAD™ hybrid tea rose MACauck offers long-lasting red blooms, a compact upright habit and durable, own-root longevity; an excellent choice if you would like a refined yet low-fuss garden feature.
