AKAROA – dark pink bedding floribunda rose – Matthews
AKAROA brings a quietly romantic, storybook ambience to everyday gardens, with rounded clusters of warm raspberry-pink blooms on a compact, upright habit that suits modest beds and narrow borders. Its glossy dark foliage frames the flowers beautifully, helping the plant keep a neat outline with only light annual tidying. As an own-root rose it is grown on its own roots, so it ages gracefully, can regenerate from the base after harsh winters and offers a reassuringly long garden life. Plant the pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre pot whenever the soil is workable and simply keep it watered while it establishes, especially where regular moisture is needed during warmer spells and drying coastal breezes. Over time you can expect a relaxed development: stronger rooting in the first year, fuller framework of shoots in the second, and the rose settling into its full ornamental character with abundant, repeating bloom clusters by the third season. AKAROA is as comfortable edging a kitchen garden path as it is softening a front-garden boundary, ideal for those who want cottage style without complicated care.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front of a mixed flower bed |
The compact, upright bushy shape stays around 75–105 cm, giving a well-defined front layer that does not swamp neighbouring plants. Dense dark foliage and medium-sized raspberry-pink clusters provide continuous colour in front of taller perennials and shrubs, suiting those who like a structured yet romantic look for the family-garden owner. |
| Edging along paths and drives |
AKAROA was selected as a bedding and edging floribunda, forming a low, continuous line of colour when planted 50–55 cm apart. The medium-sized, double blooms repeat reliably, creating a welcoming path or drive edge with minimal shaping required, ideal for an inviting approach for the busy-homeowner. |
| Small rose hedge in front gardens |
Planted at hedge spacing, the bushy habit and glossy dark foliage knit together to form a soft, living barrier that remains decorative even between flushes. The restrained height keeps windows and sight lines clear while introducing privacy and charm, particularly attractive to the traditional-style lover. |
| Containers and large patio pots |
The moderate size and upright, compact structure adapt well to containers of at least 40–50 litres, where roots have enough volume to support repeat flowering. Grown this way, AKAROA decorates patios, balconies or small courtyards with cottage-garden blooms, well suited to the urban-gardener. |
| Cottage-style mixed border with herbs |
Its vivid yet soft raspberry-pink flowers pair beautifully with lavender and catmint, echoing classic cottage borders. The bushy form threads easily between herbs and low shrubs, giving a feminine, “girly” effect that still feels tidy enough for everyday family life, appealing to the cottage-garden enthusiast. |
| Partially shaded family seating areas |
Suitable for partial shade, AKAROA copes with light-dappled conditions near seating or play areas where sun is limited for part of the day. The mild classic rose fragrance and repeated clusters of flowers create a gentle afternoon-tea atmosphere that rewards the relaxed-gardener. |
| Beds in exposed or breezy positions |
The compact, well-branched framework and moderate height help the plant stay stable and attractive in open, breezier gardens where some roses can rock or sprawl, offering reassuring anchoring in sites that often feel windswept to the coastal-homeowner. |
| Cut flowers from a family garden bed |
Medium-sized, double, cup-shaped blooms on clustered stems can be cut in small groups, giving informal posies for the table without stripping the plant. Repeat flowering ensures more buds follow, so occasional cutting does not spoil the display, a pleasure for the home-flower-arranger. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-Path Border – Line a narrow path with AKAROA interplanted with catmint for soft pink-and-blue edging in an English-country look – ideal for romantic-front-garden owners.
- Kitchen-Garden Row – Use AKAROA as a low hedge beside vegetable beds, its compact habit and repeat flowering bringing colour without shading crops – suitable for practical kitchen-garden families.
- Patio-Tea Corner – Place one or two plants in 40–50 litre terracotta pots near a bistro set, where their mild fragrance and repeated clusters frame an afternoon-tea nook – perfect for balcony and patio users.
- Layered-Rose Bed – Combine AKAROA at the front with taller shrub roses and herbaceous perennials behind, using its neat height to form a tiered rose composition – appealing to structure-loving gardeners.
- Soft-Front Hedge – Plant a run of AKAROA inside a low fence or wall to create a pretty, informal boundary that stays below window height yet gives colour all summer – ideal for family homes on busy streets.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bed rose registered as MATtanstill, marketed as AKAROA – dark pink bedding floribunda rose – Matthews; commercial bedding type for beds, edging and general garden use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Bob Matthews, Matthews Nurseries Ltd, Whanganui, New Zealand; parentage undocumented. Registered in 2010 and introduced in 2014 in New Zealand, later distributed more widely in Europe. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Compact, upright, bushy plant reaching about 75–105 cm in height and 65–95 cm spread, with dense, glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickles; naturally rounded shape suits beds and edging. |
| Flower morphology |
Medium-sized, double, cup-shaped blooms bearing 26–39 petals, produced in clustered floribunda trusses; remontant with a strong second flush, giving long seasonal display under normal garden care. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Dark pink with raspberry tones; RHS 53A outer, 155D inner. Buds intense raspberry-coral; flowers lighten towards powdery-cream before falling, giving a soft, shifting pink effect through the season. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Classic rose fragrance of mild strength; scent present but not overpowering, making it suitable for seating areas and family gardens where a gentle, unobtrusive perfume is preferred. |
| Hip characteristics |
Produces few hips; when present they are small, globular, about 8–12 mm diameter, coloured medium red (RHS 40A). Ornamental effect modest and usually secondary to the floral display. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to around −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7; USDA 6b; Swedish zone 3). Disease resistance moderate for powdery mildew, black spot and rust; routine monitoring and treatment recommended in humid seasons. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best at 50–55 cm spacing in beds or hedges; around 3.2–3.7 plants/m² for mass plantings. Suitable for beds, edging, large containers and cutting; prefers regular watering and occasional health checks. |
AKAROA – dark pink bedding floribunda rose – Matthews offers compact, stable growth, abundant repeat flowering and the long-term resilience of an own-root plant; a thoughtful choice if you would like dependable cottage colour with modest care.
