GRÄFIN DIANA® – burgundy-red hybrid tea rose – Kordes
If You dream of a richly scented, classic garden rose that feels at home in Irish weather, GRÄFIN DIANA® offers deep burgundy-red, velvety blooms with an unforgettable perfume on an elegant, upright bush. Its highly double flowers appear repeatedly through the season, giving reliable colour and scent from early summer into autumn. In a sheltered spot with good drainage to cope with persistently moist, heavy soil, this rose rewards regular care with premium-gold quality flowers worthy of any exhibition stem or cottage border. Own-root planting means the bush maintains its shape over many years, regenerating well from the base and giving You confidence that it will remain a long-lived, expressive feature. Year by year the plant settles: first building roots, then gaining strong shoots, and by the third season reaching full ornamental value. Its fragrance, sumptuous flower colour, neat upright habit and dark glossy foliage make GRÄFIN DIANA® a standout choice wherever You would like a romantic, luxury focal point near your home.
Use cases
| Target area | Reason |
|---|
| Front garden focal point by the entrance |
The stately, upright habit and long straight stems create a strong vertical accent that looks composed rather than sprawling, ideal beside a doorway, path or gate where You want a refined, welcoming feature for homeowners |
| Cutting bed for home bouquets |
Large, solitary blooms on sturdy stems are easy to cut and arrange, holding their shape and colour well in a vase so You can enjoy classic, florist-style roses indoors straight from the garden for flower-lovers |
| Small group planting in a front garden bed |
Planting 3–5 bushes at the recommended spacing quickly builds a dense, upright group with dark foliage that reads as a single, elegant clump, giving strong structure without complex design work for busy-gardeners |
| Perfumed seating corner near a terrace |
The very strong, garden-filling scent is most enjoyable close by, so a couple of plants beside a bench or patio can turn evening sitting areas into a richly perfumed retreat even in cooler Irish summers for scent-seekers |
| Specimen rose in a large container |
Grown in a 40–50 litre pot with quality compost and regular watering, this compact, upright hybrid tea forms a showpiece on a sunny patio or balcony, bringing luxury cut-rose looks to paved spaces for patio-owners |
| Mixed border with perennials and grasses |
The deep burgundy-red blooms contrast beautifully with lighter companions, while the dark green, glossy foliage knits visually into mixed beds, giving a long-season focal point without needing complex border schemes for style-conscious |
| Romantic cottage-style planting |
Repeated flushes of velvety, rosette-shaped blooms echo classic cottage-garden charm, providing a traditional look that fits beside old stone walls, picket fences or country paths, especially in the softer Irish light for cottage-gardeners |
| Sheltered rose bed with improved drainage |
In a position protected from strong Atlantic winds and with soil opened up for good drainage in our wet climate, the own-root plant can establish a stable framework that endures and regenerates reliably for careful-beginners |
Decorating ideas
- CLASSIC ENTRANCE – Plant a single GRÄFIN DIANA® by the front path, underplant with white alyssum maritimum to soften the base and highlight the dark blooms – ideal for homeowners wanting a smart, simple welcome.
- BOUQUET CORNER – Create a small cutting patch with 3 roses in a row, edged with low sedum spurium so You have easy-to-reach, straight stems for regular indoor arrangements – perfect for flower enthusiasts.
- COTTAGE MIX – Combine GRÄFIN DIANA® with soft pink perennials and airy grasses, letting its velvety flowers punctuate looser textures – suited to those who love relaxed, romantic cottage styles.
- EVENING PERFUME – Position one or two plants beside a terrace seating area, pairing with lavender or rosemary in front so You enjoy layers of fragrance as You sit out after work – great for busy urban gardeners.
- CONTAINER CENTREPIECE – Grow a single plant in a 40–50 litre pot with trailing alyssum at the rim, using the rose as a tall centrepiece that can be moved to the best spot through the year – ideal for balcony and patio owners.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose from the Parfuma® collection; registered as KORdiagraf, traded as Gräfin Diana® Parfuma® KORdiagraf; ARS exhibition name Gräfin Diana, premium gold cultivar rating. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Tim-Hermann Kordes (W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany), introduced 2012. Parentage: Chartreuse de Parme × (Esther Geldenhuys × unknown seedling), combining strong scent with refined hybrid tea form. |
| Awards and recognitions |
ADR award Germany 2014. Rose des Jahres GRF 2017. Grand Prix de la Rose France 2018. First Place Fragrance Awards in Adelaide 2016 and The Hague 2018, plus further international fragrance distinctions. |
| Growth and structure |
Upright, bushy, slightly columnar hybrid tea reaching about 100–140 cm high and 65–95 cm wide. Dense, dark green, glossy foliage with moderate prickles; suitable as specimen, group, or structured bed plant. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very double, rosette-form blooms with 40+ petals, mainly solitary on stems. Well remontant with abundant second flush, providing repeated display of classic exhibition-type flowers through the season. |
| Colour and phenology |
Deep velvety burgundy-red flowers with subtle blackish tones, buds almost black-burgundy. Colour holds well, fading slightly to ruby red without browning, deeper in cooler weather, flowering from early summer to autumn. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, garden-filling perfume combining fruity and spicy notes. Best appreciated near paths, terraces and seating areas; ideal for fragrant gardens and for cutting to scent indoor arrangements. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Rosehip formation is limited due to very double blooms; occasional small spherical hips, around 6–10 mm, in orange-red tones may develop if flowers are left uncut after flowering. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3). Performs well in heat with adequate watering, but is very susceptible to powdery mildew, black spot and rust, needing regular protection. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in sunny, well-drained soil with improved structure on heavy clay. Maintenance requirement high: ensure regular feeding, watering and plant protection. Suitable for specimen, flowerbed, cut flower and large-container use. |
GRÄFIN DIANA® offers sumptuous burgundy-red blooms, powerful fragrance and an upright, long-lived own-root bush that can regenerate from the base over time, making it a rewarding choice if You would like a standout rose for your garden.
