Unfortunately, this photo doesn’t do justice for this underrated rose by Kordes. What’s amazing about my plant is that after planting it as a bare root that I received from Palatine Roses in the spring of 2006, I moved to D.C. So my plant had to establish without any supplemental watering, feeding, or weeding. And now, over ten years later, it’s one of the few roses out of more than a hundred that is still alive in my gardens and thriving despite my neglect.
The apricot blooms are about 3 inches across, which is large for a Floribunda. It’s also very vigorous and resistant to black spot. My plant stands about 4 feet tall.
This rose and ‘Cinderella Fairy Tale’ are two of the best roses I’ve ever grown. However, not all of the Fairy Tale series of roses are winners. ‘Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale,’ for example, was a very weak grower for me and susceptible to black spot. Still, if you are looking for healthy roses, the Kordes name is probably the most reliable signal that you’re on the right track.