Valentine is a beautiful red!

One of the red Knock Out roses, perhaps? They're hard to beat for repeat flowering.

I've not grown it, but have seen 'Martha Gonzales' recommended for north Texas from a couple usually reliable sources.

Martha Gonzales gets bigger than Valentine. Valentine stays pretty small. Also, I like Eutin.

Pam, how large of a space does she have for this rose? Is she looking for a compact one or could she use one of a larger size?

If she's wanting a small bush she can't go wrong with Valentine. It has the added characteristic of being thornless, or almost thornless. I also agree that Eutin is excellent.

Compact for sure. The max area she has is maybe 5 X 5. Great suggestions! Thank you all!

Martha Gonzales is very reliable and stays (at least in my yard) a nicely rounded shrub. Two others that are outstanding (here) for healthy foliage and good bloom are Europeana and Miracle on the Hudson, which has very large brilliant red single flowers.......even my husband noticed and mentioned that he liked "that one"!!! I looked at the pictures of Miracle on the Hudson on Helpmefind and they do not do this rose justice! There was only one picture of a specimen in a pot that I thought was realistic. I have both Europeana and MOTH in large pots.

I know that the "rose snobs" tend to denigrate Knockouts, but I don't have any problem with them at all. Have a few myself along with many antiques and old roses! I like them all!

Doesn't the antique rose emporium ship? I haven't been in years so I don't know. For a 5x5 space, Eutin would be good, but, for me, Valentine blooms more. Martha Gonzales has smaller flowers that either of the others, but generally has more of them.

Martha Gonzalez also has really pretty blue green foliage with burgundy new growth, and it has stayed fairly Evergreen for me. It does have short flower stems with lots of stickers LOL.

Such great suggestions, thank you everyone! I think I have narrowed it down to Double red knockout or Valentine. Are either fragrant?

I checked ARE and got two more to consider, Desmond Tutu and Kardinal™ - Kolorscape. They had neither the Knockouts or Valentine.

For something different she might consider Archduke Charles. It is a red, but it changes color depending on the temperatures. In spring it is a bicolor--pink & red, then turns solid red in summer/fall. It needs a little bit of pruning to stay in shape and it's bigger than either Martha Gonzales or Valentine.

I have a Dame de' Couer and love it. I first saw it at the Botanical Gardens and got it from ARE when they had a place in San Antonio. Dark red color, repeat bloomer, dark green leaves. Thorns like any antique. The ARE website says it has a strong fragrance- that's not been my experience. I do nothing more than prune back in the spring.

Lisa

I have grown/grow all the ones mentioned here except Desmond tutu and Kardinal. My fave: Valentine, my least fave and don't miss: Europeana b/c of wicked thorns but definitely a sturdy, low maint. Easy red rose. I live in humid Houston and my success is based on planting in the absolute dryest areas of my garden. When a rose displayed BS in the first season they were planted, it usually meant they were being hit too often by sprinkler (in additional to humidity) and declined quickly despite BS potions. I learned to yank them out the minute they displayed BS as it was a losing battle for me and given the amount of time I wanted to devote to them (not much)

Of the ones mentioned above by various posters, non exhibited BS.

I found a beautiful double red knockout at Lowe's. My neighbor loved it! Especially the part where she only needs to dig a hole the size of the pot, put it in and water it. I gave her a bucket of compost to topdress it. We garden in sandy loam so no additional amendment needed.

Thank you all for your suggestions!

That was so kind of you, Pam........................I hope it thrives for her, and brings her much joy.

I highly recommend 'miracle on the hudson' nice red blooms, always in bloom, disease resistant