The petals are a pale, warm pink with a delicate salmon-toned deepening. - dwarf, mini rose - mild, subtly scented rose - rosy character
– Compact, bushy habit for small spaces
– Very double, cupped blooms in clusters
– Soft pink flowers with warm salmon tones
– Mild, pleasantly rosy fragrance
– Good hardiness to around −20 °C
– Special feature: Ideal for pots, edging and patios, giving a refined, lively display.
Refined floral colours – Lively, pulsating garden
pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre own-root potted rose
21,10 £
Unfortunately, we are currently unable to ship to the United Kingdom; we only deliver to countries within the European Union. For more information, please contact us!
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SPECIAL FRIEND – pink dwarf-mini rose - Kirkham
Compact and generously flowering, SPECIAL FRIEND is a well-behaved patio rose that fits effortlessly into small British front gardens and containers, coping reliably with breezier, rainier spots that challenge taller roses. Its very double, salmon-pink blooms soften to pale blush, giving a refined, romantic effect over a long season on a neat, bushy plant that suits low-maintenance edges and patio pots. As an own-root shrub it develops a naturally balanced shape and can regenerate from the base, supporting long-term longevity in family gardens without complex care. In the first year it concentrates on rooting, the second year on bushy growth, and by the third year you can expect its full ornamental display. Its dense, glossy foliage frames the clusters of small blooms beautifully, while the compact habit keeps paths and seating areas tidy and easy to manage.
Special Friend in freshly opened bloom, showing vivid salmon-pink tones.
Special Friend in soft pastel pink closed bud
Special Friend in full bloom, with soft pink, very double flowers.
Special Friend forms small, very double, cup-shaped pink flowers.
Usage options
Target area
Reasoning
Patio containers and large pots (40–50 litres and above)
The compact, bushy habit and small, double blooms make this rose ideal for generous patio tubs where it will not outgrow the space yet still gives a long season of colour; own-root structure supports many years in a stable container for the style-conscious beginner.
Front garden edging along paths or drives
Its naturally low, tidy outline and dense foliage create a defined, formal edge that remains attractive even between flushes of bloom, with moderate maintenance needs and simple pruning, suiting busy householders seeking straightforward curb appeal homeowners.
Small mixed cottage borders near the house
The soft salmon-pink to blush flowers blend easily with perennials and cottage-style planting, while repeat blooming ensures steady colour; own-root resilience allows the shrub to settle and mature gracefully among long-lived companions for relaxed cottage-garden enthusiasts.
Low, informal mini-hedges
Planted at the recommended hedge spacing, its compact habit and repeat flowering build a low, continuous ribbon of colour that defines spaces without blocking light, with simple seasonal trimming enough to keep it in shape for time-pressed garden owners.
Urban and courtyard gardens
Suited to smaller plots, this short, bushy rose offers generous flower production in limited ground space and copes well with the kind of breezier, wetter corners often found around buildings, making reliable colour accessible to city-based garden starters.
Family gardens with children and pets
The modest height and rounded form sit comfortably at the front of borders where visibility and access are important; its own-root nature supports recovery from the odd knock or accidental damage, reassuring for active-family garden users.
Low-maintenance flowering beds
Regular repeat blooming, moderate self-cleaning and straightforward care suit beds where you want dependable colour without intricate pruning or spraying routines; a simple yearly tidy and basic feeding keep performance high for practical, low-input garden keepers.
Decorative spots viewed from windows or seating areas
Clusters of very double, pastel-pink blooms and dense glossy foliage create a refined focal point that remains attractive at close range; the balanced, compact framework is easy to shape over time, rewarding design-minded but time-limited garden planners.
Styling ideas
Cottage-border focus – Plant SPECIAL FRIEND at the front of mixed borders with geraniums and yarrows behind to echo its pastel flowers and compact habit – ideal for lovers of soft cottage-garden palettes.
Patio-centrepiece pot – Use one plant in a 50-litre terracotta container, underplant with low herbs for texture, letting its bushy structure and repeat blooms provide a long-season focal point – suited to balcony and patio gardeners.
Neat-path edging – Line a pathway with evenly spaced plants to form a low band of pink, adding seasonal bulbs in between for spring interest – perfect for homeowners wanting a tidy, welcoming front approach.
Urban-courtyard trio – Group three in matching large planters to frame a bench or doorway, relying on their compact growth and own-root durability for long-term structure – appealing to style-conscious city dwellers.
Family-friendly corner – Combine SPECIAL FRIEND with mock orange and other fragrant shrubs in a small seating nook, where its modest height and rounded habit keep views open – suitable for relaxed, multi-use family gardens.
Technical cultivar profile
Parameter
Data
Name and registration
Patio group mini-dwarf rose; registered as KIRspec, traded as SPECIAL FRIEND – pink dwarf-mini rose – KIRspec; ARS exhibition name SPECIAL FRIEND for show and catalogue use.
Origin and breeding
Bred in the United Kingdom by Gordon Wilson Kirkham from ‘Sheri Anne’ × ‘Pretty Polly’; bred 1997, introduced 1999 by C & K Jones; distributed in own-root form for garden use.
Growth and structural characteristics
Compact, bushy shrub reaching about 50–60 cm in height and 45–55 cm spread; dense, mid-green glossy foliage and moderate prickliness suit edging, container and patio planting schemes.
Flower morphology
Small cup-shaped blooms, 0.5–1.5 inches across, carried in clusters; very double with 40+ petals, giving a full, rounded appearance; repeats well with abundant second flush in season.
Colour data and phenology
Warm pale pink petals with a salmon-toned centre; buds pastel pink, opening salmon-pink then fading to near whitish-pink; RHS 65C and 36C tones, moderate colour retention, softening as flowers age.
Fragrance and aroma
Mild rosy fragrance with a gentle, unobtrusive character; best appreciated at close range in sheltered spots, ideal near seating areas or paths where subtle scent is preferred over strong perfume.
Hip characteristics
Low to modest hip set due to very double flowers; small, spherical orange-red hips about 7–9 mm across (RHS 43A) may appear late season but are not a major ornamental feature.
Resistance and winter hardiness
Hardy to approximately –21 to –18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); moderate tolerance to heat and drought, needing regular watering; moderate resistance to black spot, mildew and rust.
Horticultural recommendations
Prefers sunny positions with well-drained soil; plant 35–80 cm apart depending on use; allow 4.9–5.7 plants/m² for massing; moderate maintenance, with occasional deadheading and basic pest and disease checks.
SPECIAL FRIEND offers compact, long-season colour in small spaces with a tidy habit and repeat flowering, while its own-root form supports lasting structure in family gardens, making it a thoughtful choice for easy-going gardeners.
Detailed product attributes
Product Identification Data
Product Name:
SPECIAL FRIEND – pink dwarf-mini rose - Kirkham
Product Type:
pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL - 2-litre own-root potted rose
Closed Bud:
Soft, silky pastel pink, with the tip slightly brighter salmon pink.
Newly Opened Flower:
A vivid salmon-pink in the centre, gently fading towards the outer edge.
Full Bloom:
Uniform light pink, with a slightly peach-toned centre.
Before Fading:
The pink fades markedly to an almost whitish-pink with a subtle salmon tone.
Colour Fading Description:
The pink strongly fades as the bloom opens, becoming almost whitish‑pink before senescence, with a faint touch of salmon at the centre.
Our product is a rose grown with pharmaROSA®’s unique cultivation technology!
2-litre, own-root, potted rose.
With a shoot system appropriate to the season.
With a root system that thoroughly permeates the growing medium.
Quality compliant with the requirements of the E.N.A. (European Nurserystock Association).
Supplied in unique packaging that prevents damage.
Can be planted during frost-free periods.
True-to-variety rose bush with a unique identifier.
The pharmaROSA® own-root potted rose is a well-rooted plant that supports reliable establishment when planted and cared for properly, so it can be planted whenever the soil is not frozen.
Crop overview: several varieties and growth stages in a short crop section.Shoot system: intensive growth of fresh basal shoots on a young plant.Root system: demonstration of a vigorous root system permeating the growing medium, by removing the pot.Balance: mature plant with root system and shoots in harmony with each other.
Information about the videos
The video series is not a “seasonal showcase”; it illustrates the essence of pharmaROSA® own-root cultivation in a tangible way: how the plant is built up, what the root system is like and how the shoot system regenerates. The recordings were therefore made at different times and with plants at various stages of development, so mixed foliage levels and differing stages of growth may appear in the videos. They are not a ‘sample’ of the batch dispatched, but a visual explanation of how the technology works. The current condition of the rose available to order — typical for the given period and similar to what you can expect to receive in the parcel — is shown in the upper part of the product page.
Pages for private customers Garden roses for the family garden, with minimal care → ORIGINAL® Premium garden roses – instant impact, a truly showpiece garden → EXTRA® Pages for professionals and private customers Roses for public spaces – large areas, sustainable maintenance → NATURAL® Roses for projects – hedge and row planting, fast implementation → RAPID® For professional partners only Production – propagation material for garden roses, wholesale → NEONATAL®
Company details
PharmaRosa Ltd. Company registration number: 01-09-717479 VAT number: 13075314-2-43 Plant health registration no.: HU130721 Bank account (IBAN): HU85117631891388688400000000 BIC (SWIFT): OTPVHUHB Bank name: OTP Bank Nyrt.
