LIMONA ® – light yellow hybrid tea rose – Kordes
With its elegant lemon-yellow blooms and strong citrusy fragrance, LIMONA ® is an ideal choice if You want a reliable hybrid tea rose that simply gets on with the job. Bred by Kordes for modern gardens, it offers excellent disease resistance and copes well with typical Irish moisture, even where lingering humidity can encourage fungal problems. The bushy, upright habit and glossy foliage give a tidy, ornamental look in front gardens and beds without complicated pruning. As an own-root plant it settles in steadily, promising a long, lasting presence that regenerates well after harsh weather. In year one it focuses on roots, year two on building bushy growth, and by year three You enjoy its full flowering potential. The large, double blooms appear in small clusters with a generous second flush, creating a truly romantic effect in cottage-style plantings and near seating areas. Easy-care, beautifully scented and compact, this is a dependable choice when You simply want to plant it and let it work for You.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden focal point near the entrance |
LIMONA ® forms a bushy, upright shrub with glossy dark green foliage and large, elegant blooms that read well from the path or driveway, giving a smart, welcoming look with only light annual pruning – perfect for the busy homeowner |
| Small mixed border in an average family garden |
Its moderate height and 40–60 cm spread fit neatly into small borders, combining well with perennials without overwhelming them; own-root growth builds a stable, long-lived structure that keeps the planting looking balanced over many seasons for the relaxed gardener |
| Ornamental bed under living-room or kitchen windows |
The strong, citrusy fragrance and repeated flushes of lemon-yellow flowers are ideal near windows and seating, where You can enjoy scent and colour from indoors while the rose largely looks after itself thanks to its low maintenance needs – well suited to the scent-loving beginner |
| Small group planting of 3–5 roses in a front bed |
Planting a matching group at 45–70 cm spacing creates a continuous band of pale yellow colour and dense foliage, while the remontant habit ensures a generous second flowering without complex care, offering reliable impact for the time-pressed family |
| Simple feature in a cottage-style border |
The soft yellow tones that fade to creamy white blend beautifully with traditional cottage companions, giving a nostalgic, romantic mood while the ADR-level health means fewer sprays and less fuss, ideal if You like charm without high upkeep as a rural gardener |
| Urban front garden exposed to damp, cool weather |
Selected for strong resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust, LIMONA ® keeps its foliage clean even in cool, wet Irish conditions where lingering humidity can encourage fungal problems, making it reassuringly dependable for the cautious buyer |
| Large patio pot or container by the front door |
In a 40–50 litre container with good drainage, its compact, upright habit and repeat flowering give months of interest in a small footprint; regular watering is the main task, keeping care simple and achievable for the space-limited balcony or patio owner |
| Low-maintenance flower bed in a family back garden |
Moderate pruning, basic feeding and ensuring moisture in longer dry spells are usually enough; own-root plants recover well if damaged and can live for many years, building confidence that the bed will stay attractive with minimal effort for the practical planner |
Decorating ideas
- Lemon Border Ribbon – Line a short path or drive with LIMONA ® and edging lavender to echo its citrus scent and soft yellow tones – ideal for tidy front gardens wanting an easy, scented welcome
- Cottage Glow Trio – Plant three LIMONA ® together with catmint and white campanulas for a relaxed cottage look that still stays compact and manageable – perfect for small rural borders
- Patio Scent Corner – Grow LIMONA ® in a 40–50 litre pot with trailing thyme and dwarf rosemary so fragrance surrounds a small seating area – great for balconies and paved city spaces
- Soft Yellow Window Bed – Under a sitting-room window, mix LIMONA ® with pale pink geraniums and silver foliage plants to enjoy long-season colour and perfume from indoors – ideal for busy households
- Clean Foliage Framework – Use LIMONA ® as the healthy backbone of a mixed rose bed, pairing it with hydrangeas and hardy grasses for structure that stays good-looking with little spraying – suited to low-maintenance family gardens
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose from the Eleganza® collection. Registered as KORmonali, traded as Limona ® Eleganza® KORmonali. Garden use hybrid tea with exhibition-quality blooms in soft lemon-yellow shades. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Wilhelm-Alexander Kordes in Germany from KORvanaber (‘Lions-Rose’) crossed with an unnamed seedling × KORassenet (‘Gebrüder Grimm’). Introduced by W. Kordes’ Söhne in 2016, breeding completed in 2005. |
| Awards and recognitions |
Highly decorated: gold medals at Lyon and Kortrijk 2016, multiple first class and special jury prizes across Europe. ADR rating 2017 and an Excellence Rose award 2022 underline garden performance and reliability. |
| Growth and structure |
Bushy, upright shrub reaching about 75–105 cm high and 40–60 cm wide. Moderately prickly shoots with dense, glossy dark green foliage. Suits beds, borders and low hedging in average-sized gardens. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, cupped blooms with 26–39 petals borne mainly in small clusters. Hybrid tea style flowers with a remontant habit and notably abundant second flush, providing good continuity of colour through the season. |
| Colour and phenology |
Buds open vivid lemon yellow, then soften through light yellow to pastel and creamy white tones. Colour retention is moderate, offering a gentle, evolving palette from first opening to the end of each flowering phase. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, fresh, citrusy perfume that is clearly noticeable near paths and seating. Well-scented blooms combine classic rose notes with a lemony character, making it suitable for gardens where fragrance is a priority feature. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Produces occasional orange-red, egg-shaped hips about 10–14 mm across. Not a heavy fruiting variety but hips can add small points of seasonal interest later in the year if some flowers are left un-deadheaded. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Rated resistant to black spot, powdery mildew and rust. Hardy to about -21 to -18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3). Tolerates heat reasonably but needs watering in extended dry spells, especially in containers. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers a sunny position with well-drained soil. Space 35–70 cm depending on use. Maintenance is low: light annual pruning and basic feeding. Water regularly in prolonged dry periods and in large containers of at least 40–50 litres. |
LIMONA ® offers strong fragrance, healthy foliage and compact, repeat flowering on a long-lived own-root bush, making it an easy, rewarding choice for Irish gardens if You are considering a reliable rose.
