LOLITA – apricot hybrid tea rose – KORlita; LitaKOR
If You dream of a classic rose for cutting that still behaves as an easy garden plant, Lolita is a tall, upright hybrid tea with lush, dark green foliage and long, straight stems that fit beautifully into a family border. Its high‑centred buds open into large, double blooms in a warm apricot tone, shifting gently from rich peach‑orange to soft, creamy pastel as they age, so one bush can show several harmonious shades at once. The flowers carry a medium‑strong, nostalgic fruity fragrance with a distinct peach note, lovely both by the path and in a vase indoors. As an own‑root plant it settles deeply and ages well, giving You a stable, regenerating bush that copes reliably with Ireland’s damp spells and the challenges of a humid, disease‑prone climate when given reasonable care. Lolita prefers a sunny spot and rewards even modest feeding with a generous second flush of flowers, so You can enjoy repeat cutting stems through summer without complicated routines. In year one it quietly builds roots, in year two it pushes stronger shoots, and by year three You see the full ornamental effect of a mature, elegant hybrid tea rose.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Sunny front garden border by the path |
Tall, upright growth with dense, dark green foliage creates a tidy, vertical accent that frames your entrance without overwhelming a typical Irish front garden. Works well for those wanting a classic rose look with simple seasonal care for beginners |
| Small group of 3–5 roses in a feature bed |
Planting a small group allows the soft peach‑orange to pale‑apricot colour range to read as a coherent block, giving structure and romance to modest‑sized beds while remaining easy to prune and maintain for homeowners |
| Cutting patch for home‑grown bouquets |
Long, straight stems and high‑centred, exhibition‑style blooms make Lolita ideal for vases; repeated flowering means a steady supply of elegant cut flowers without needing a dedicated show garden for flower‑lovers |
| Mixed border with perennials (e.g. lavender, lady’s mantle) |
The warm apricot blooms blend beautifully with silver foliage and soft greens, while solid disease tolerance helps it cope with a humid, fungus‑prone climate among perennials, keeping the whole border looking healthy for busy‑gardeners |
| Specimen rose near a terrace or seating area |
Placed where You pass often, the medium‑strong peach fragrance and ever‑changing flower tones offer daily enjoyment; the tall, upright habit stays visually tidy and easy to shape over the years for patio‑owners |
| Own‑root long‑term planting in a family garden |
As an own‑root rose, Lolita forms its permanent framework on site and can regenerate from the base after hard pruning or winter damage, giving a reliable, long‑lived feature without complex graft maintenance for long‑term‑planners |
| Informal cottage‑style edging with oriental poppies |
The sleek, high‑centred blooms and upright habit contrast nicely with looser cottage plants like oriental poppy, giving a romantic look while staying straightforward to tie in and deadhead in average‑sized gardens for cottage‑gardeners |
| Large container on a sunny, sheltered patio |
In a 40–50 litre container with good drainage, Lolita forms a vertical, elegant presence whose colour show and fragrance can be enjoyed close up, while moderate care demands suit those managing watering and feeding in limited space for urban‑owners |
Decorating ideas
- Romantic Pathway Pairing – Line a sunny path with Lolita and lavender, letting the apricot blooms and purple spikes create a soft, scented welcome – ideal for homeowners who like a classic, easy‑to‑trim front approach
- Elegant Cutting Corner – Dedicate a small sunny corner to 3–5 Lolita bushes, underplant with lady’s mantle for frothy lime‑green edging, and harvest your own long‑stemmed roses – perfect for flower arrangers who want reliable stems
- Cottage Contrast Bed – Combine Lolita with oriental poppies, foxgloves and hardy geraniums, using its upright shape as a calm anchor amid looser cottage textures – suited to rural gardeners aiming for charm without fussy pruning
- Patio Focus Pot – Grow Lolita in a 40–50 litre terracotta container with trailing thyme at the base so the tall apricot blooms rise above a scented carpet – great for balcony and patio users wanting vertical colour and perfume
- Evening Seating Showcase – Position a single specimen near a bench, surrounded by low mounded perennials, where its repeated flushes and peach scent can be enjoyed after work – ideal for busy families who relax outdoors in the evenings
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose; registered as KORlita (syn. LitaKOR), commercial name Lolita. American Rose Society exhibition name Lolita; feminised given‑name cultivar, verified authenticity on pharmarosa.ie. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Reimer Kordes, W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany, before 1972 from Colour Wonder × unknown seedling. Introduced 1972; first distributed by Roy H. Rumsey Pty. Ltd. in Australia. |
| Awards and recognitions |
ADR-Sorte (German General Rose Trials) 1973, indicating good garden performance and health; Certificate of Merit, New Zealand Rose Trials 1974, confirming quality as a cutting and exhibition hybrid tea. |
| Growth and structure |
Vigorous, upright bush 130–170 cm tall with 100–140 cm spread. Dense, dark green, slightly glossy foliage; moderately thorny stems. Best effect as a specimen or small group with adequate space and sun. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double blooms (26–39 petals), high‑centred with pointed, exhibition‑type buds borne mainly singly. Flower size L, ideal for cutting; remontant with a generous second flush in suitable conditions. |
| Colour and phenology |
Medium‑saturated peach‑orange with golden cast; buds deep apricot outside, vivid orange inside. Fades through golden peach to cream‑yellow based pastel; overall effect even golden apricot at full bloom. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Medium‑strength, well‑scented hybrid tea rose with a distinct peach‑like fruity character. Fragrance is noticeable along paths and when used as a cut flower indoors, especially in still, warm weather. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Hip set usually low due to double flowers. Where hips form, they are ellipsoid, 12–18 mm in diameter, orange‑red and moderately decorative, but not a primary feature of this cultivar. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (H7, USDA 6b, Swedish Zone 3). Good resistance to powdery mildew and black spot; moderate susceptibility to rust. Performs well in heat; standard protective care advisable in damp seasons. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun, fertile, well‑drained soil; dislikes deep shade. Medium maintenance with occasional plant protection. Recommended spacing 120 cm in mass plantings, 110 cm for hedging, 200 cm as a solitary specimen. |
LOLITA offers tall, elegant stems for cutting, warm apricot colour and a peachy fragrance, while its own-root vigour supports long-lived, dependable planting; consider it if You want a graceful yet manageable hybrid tea rose.
