Big Purple, close-up of the flower
Photo: HomeinSalem, CC BY 3.0
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Hybrid Tea; mauvePat Stephens, 1985Lilac and purple

Big Purple

Also sold as Stephens' Big Purple and Nuit d'Orient; one of the best-known mauve roses in the world. Trademark: a powerful damask fragrance.

'old-rose' fragrance · a mauve legend

Variety profileGardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat-flowering in flushes

Awards

Best Mauve

Rosexpo Montreal 1999

Winter hardiness

−23 °C

USDA zone 6a+. All of Ukraine · north — with winter protection.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

90–185 × 90 cm
person 170 cm90–185 cm
Habit
Upright, stiff
Dimensions
90–185 cm tall × 90 cm wide (shorter in heat)
Support
No support needed – the bush is self-supporting (support is only needed for climbing varieties)
Shoots
Thick, straight
Branching
Moderate

Flower

≈ 13 cm

Full, 35–70 petals (usually 60–70) petals.

Bud shape
Tall and pointed – the classic HT shape
Open flower
Opens into a large cup of 60+ petals; diameter about 13 cm
Centre
Spiral-shaped
Fullness
Full, 35–70 petals (usually 60–70)
Flower carriage
Mostly solitary blooms on long stems – ideal for cutting

Fragrance

Strong

Very strong – old rose / damask; one of the most fragrant mauve varieties in the world – this is its trademark.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5
Rustresistant

Consistently good against the main fungal diseases.

Sun

Full sun brings out the purple

The colour deepens further in heat.

Thorns

Many
thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Large thorns – take care when handling.

Foliage

Very dark green, leathery.

Other names

Stephens' Big Purple, Stephens' Rose Big Purple, Nuit d'Orient

Breeder's code STEbigpu.

All characteristics in a table
Group
Hybrid Tea; mauve
Breeder
Pat Stephens, 1985
Bud shape
Tall and pointed – the classic HT shape
Open flower
Opens into a large cup of 60+ petals; diameter about 13 cm
Centre
Spiral-shaped
Colour
Dark beetroot – purple-violet; the colour deepens further in heat
Fullness
Full, 35–70 petals (usually 60–70)
Flower carriage
Mostly solitary blooms on long stems – ideal for cutting
Flowering
Repeat-flowering in flushes
Fragrance
Very strong – old rose / damask; one of the most fragrant mauve varieties in the world – this is its trademark
Hips
Not typical
Habit
Upright, stiff
Branching
Moderate
Shoots
Thick, straight
Thorns
Large thorns – take care when handling.
Dimensions
90–185 cm tall × 90 cm wide (shorter in heat)
Support
No support needed – the bush is self-supporting (support is only needed for climbing varieties)
Foliage
Very dark green, leathery
Resistance
Consistently good against the main fungal diseases
Variations of the variety
Synonyms: Stephens' Big Purple, Stephens' Rose Big Purple, Nuit d'Orient

Colour scheme

Dark beetroot – purple-violet; the colour deepens further in heat

Rose neighbours

Munstead Wooddark raspberryReine des Violettesviolet moiréRhapsody in Bluesmoky violetIcebergpure white · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Salvia 'Caradonna'violetLamb's earsilveryLavenderlavenderHeuchera 'Plum Pudding'purple foliage

Neighbouring roses

A wine-purple palette holds a dramatic mood around Big Purple.

Munstead WoodReine des ViolettesRhapsody in BlueIceberg

Perennial companions

A violet-silver framework and the dark purple foliage of heuchera heighten the drama:

salvia 'Caradonna'lamb's earlavenderheuchera 'Plum Pudding'

Contrasting accents

For a play of shades — a light background or warm orange accents:

Iceberg (white)Allium Purple SensationStachys Hummelo

More about the variety

Hips
Not typical
Variations of the variety
Synonyms: Stephens' Big Purple, Stephens' Rose Big Purple, Nuit d'Orient

How to grow

Where to plant. As single bushes for accent (because of their height and colour), at the back of a mixed border, against a light background (white fence, pale stone – the colour really stands out).

Climate. Does well in all regions of Ukraine, with winter protection in the northern regions; in the south the colour is even richer.

Care. Standard care for HT – spring pruning to 4–5 buds, regular watering, fungal disease prevention as needed.

About the name

Name. A plain description, 'Big Purple', stressing the size of the flower and the deep purple tone, which was unprecedented at the time.

Breeding. Bred by Pat Stephens (New Zealand) in 1985. Parentage: Unnamed seedling × Purple Splendour. Patent code STEbigpu (US PP 6,262, 1988).

Significance. A legendary dark violet HT, one of the best-known mauve roses in the world. Its trademark is a powerful damask / old-rose fragrance, considered one of the best among mauve varieties. Awarded Best Mauve Rose at Rosexpo Montreal 1999. Sold under the synonyms Stephens' Big Purple and Nuit d'Orient in various countries.

Frequently asked questions about Big Purple

Does Big Purple need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −23 °C (USDA zone 6a+). Overwintering depends on the conditions.

How many times a season does Big Purple flower?

Repeat-flowering in flushes.

How big does Big Purple grow?

90–185 cm tall, about 90 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Big Purple?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Good against black spot, mildew and rust.

How much sun does Big Purple need?

Sun; full sun brings out the purple; the colour deepens further in heat.

What does Big Purple smell like?

Very strong – old rose / damask; one of the most fragrant mauve varieties in the world – this is its trademark.

Gardeners' photos and reviews

My climate

Choose a reference temperature to compare with the cultivar’s data. This is not an overwintering forecast or advice on winter protection; consider wind, moisture and the duration of frost.

Regional data are generalised. USDA describes average annual extreme minima, not a forecast; the values in the list are rounded. Check the conditions at your site. More information: Roses in Ukraine's climate.