Palmengarten Frankfurt® groundcover rose – pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre
If You want a reliable, unfussy rose that simply gets on with the job, Palmengarten Frankfurt® is made for Irish family gardens. This groundcover shrub forms a broad, low carpet of glossy green foliage covered in clusters of vivid pink, cup-shaped blooms from early summer, with the abundant second flush keeping beds colourful well into autumn. Its proven disease resistance copes well with our damp, changeable weather and the challenges of humidity-driven fungal pressure, so You spend more time enjoying the display and less time spraying. As an own-root plant it settles in steadily, building a long-lived, balanced structure that regenerates well after pruning. In year one it concentrates on roots, year two brings stronger shoots, and by year three You can expect its full ornamental value, forming a low-maintenance pink groundcover that fits neatly into both tidy front gardens and relaxed cottage-style borders.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden groundcover by the driveway |
Spreading, low shrub habit (50–90 cm high, 80–140 cm wide) quickly blankets bare soil, giving a neat, finished look along drives and front paths while helping to suppress weeds for busy, time-poor gardeners who prefer easy routines for the family |
| Long-flowering edging to paths and lawns |
Remontant flowering with abundant second flush keeps its vivid pink clusters performing over a long season, creating a colourful edging that looks “kept” with only light pruning and feeding once or twice a year, ideal for those wanting impact without complex tasks for the family |
| Low-maintenance rose bed around the home |
High resistance to black spot, mildew and rust means fewer chemical treatments and less worry in wet, mild seasons, supporting healthy foliage and reliable flowering so You can enjoy roses even if You are new to gardening or prefer a low-input approach for the family |
| Part-shaded side garden or north-west aspect |
Suitable for partial shade, it continues to flower and hold good colour where many roses sulk, making it a dependable choice for the “awkward side” of the house or between buildings, where light shifts through the day and conditions can challenge fussier varieties for the family |
| Cottage-style mixed border with shrubs |
Broad, dense foliage and moderate height let it knit between perennials, small shrubs and evergreens, giving a romantic, pink base layer that looks full but not over-formal, ideal for traditional Irish cottage and rural gardens seeking softness and informal charm for the family |
| Urban front garden with traffic and hard surfaces |
Good tolerance of urban conditions and resilient foliage suit planting near pavements and parking areas, where reflected heat and pollution can be an issue, yet this variety keeps performing reliably, adding colour and structure without demanding intensive care from city-dwelling gardeners for the family |
| Coastal or exposed suburban garden bed |
Robust growth and strong health help it cope with breezy, unsettled conditions and spells of wet weather, supporting steady performance even where salt-laden Atlantic winds and heavy, moisture-retentive soils can make many roses struggle more than they do in sheltered inland plots for the family |
| Large patio pot or decorative container |
Its spreading habit and medium height work well in a generous 40–50 litre container, where the plant can develop a stable own-root framework, giving colour close to the house or on a balcony as it matures into a durable, easy-care feature with seasonal feeding and watering for the family |
Decorating ideas
- Soft pink cottage edge – Line a front path with groups of Palmengarten Frankfurt® and interplant low catmint or lavender for a gently billowing, romantic edge – ideal for cottage-garden lovers who want charm without fussy pruning
- Urban pink ribbon – Create a continuous “ribbon” of pink along a low wall by combining this rose with evergreen St John’s-wort and compact grasses – perfect for small city front gardens needing colour that copes with streetside conditions
- Groundcover rose carpet – Mass-plant 1–1.2 plants per m² to form a flowering carpet under small ornamental trees, using spring bulbs for extra early colour – suited to homeowners wanting a finished, weed-suppressing look around the house
- Shrub and rose combo – Pair Palmengarten Frankfurt® with cherry laurel or other broadleaf evergreens, letting the glossy pink-flowering rose spill in front for year-round structure – great for those seeking a smart but easy foundation planting
- Container courtyard glow – Plant one shrub in a 40–50 litre terracotta pot with trailing thyme at the rim to brighten a paved courtyard or balcony – ideal for beginners who want a reliable rose feature in limited space
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Trade name Palmengarten Frankfurt® groundcover rose; registered as KORsilan. Grouped as ground cover and shrub rose; floribunda-type clusters. ARS exhibition name Palmengarten Frankfurt, marketed in the pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre range. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Reimer Kordes, W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany. Parentage: (The Fairy × Temple Bells) × (Bubble Bath × Lilli Marleen). Bred 1987, introduced and registered 1988, initially distributed by W. Kordes’ Söhne in European markets. |
| Awards and recognitions |
Holder of the ADR award since 1992, indicating thoroughly trialled performance in German test gardens with strong health, reliable flowering and good garden value over several seasons under low-spray conditions. |
| Growth and structure |
Low, spreading shrub rose with dense, glossy green foliage and moderate prickliness. Typical height 50–90 cm with a spread of 80–140 cm, forming a broad, ground-hugging mound suited to borders, banks, edges and mass plantings. |
| Flower morphology |
Medium-sized, double, cup-shaped blooms with approximately 26–39 petals. Produced in clusters on branching stems, giving a floribunda effect. Remontant habit ensures an abundant main flush followed by a notably strong second flowering period. |
| Colour and phenology |
Vivid rich pink with a delicate carmine tone. Buds medium pink; freshly opened flowers bright pink with paler bases. Colour fades gradually to paler and slightly salmon-pink rims, yet overall retention is good across the flowering season. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Fragrance of mild strength with a classic rose-like character. Scent is noticeable at close range without being overpowering, complementing the visual effect and making it suitable near paths and seating where subtle perfume is preferred. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Due to its double flowers, hip set is generally low. Where pollination occurs, it may form occasional small spherical red hips, approximately 4–7 mm in diameter, which add a modest decorative touch in late season. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Rated resistant to black spot, powdery mildew and rust. Hardy to around −32 to −29 °C (USDA 4b, RHS H7, Swedish zone 5). Handles summer heat reasonably well, tolerates moderate drought but benefits from watering during extended dry spells. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Ideal for groundcover, flower beds, parks and urban green spaces. Low maintenance: occasional pruning and feeding are sufficient. Spacing about 100 cm in mass plantings, 90 cm for hedging, or 180 cm as a solitary; 1–1.2 plants per m² recommended. |
Palmengarten Frankfurt® offers long-season pink groundcover, strong disease resistance and reliable, own-root longevity, making it an easy, durable choice for adding colour around your home; You may find it fits very naturally into your planting plans.
