ROSENTHAL – dark red hybrid tea rose – KORtat
If You dream of a romantic red rose that simply settles in and performs, Rosenthal is a reliable hybrid tea for Irish gardens. Its large, high-centred blooms bring a classic cutting quality straight to Your own beds, with long, upright stems ideal for vases. The strong, classic rose fragrance means every flush of flowers can be enjoyed up close on the patio or through an open window. Dense, glossy foliage clothes the bush, giving a smart, well-kept look even between flowering waves. Bred by Kordes, it offers notably good disease resistance, an advantage in our damp climate where black spot and mildew can be persistent. As an own-root plant, Rosenthal matures steadily, building a long-lived framework that recovers well after pruning and harsh weather. In its first year it focuses on roots, the second on stronger shoots, and by the third season You can expect full display value. It responds well to regular deadheading, rewarding a little attention with reliable rebloom throughout summer, even where high rainfall and heavy soil call for thoughtful drainage.
Use cases
| Target area |
Reason |
| Front garden focal point near the entrance |
Upright habit and large, velvety dark red blooms create a smart, welcoming focal point by a gate or front door; dense leaves give a tidy look so the plant reads as “well kept” even when not in full flush, reassuring the style-conscious homeowner |
| Cutting bed for home bouquets |
High-centred, exhibition-style flowers on long, straight stems are ideal for cutting, so You can bring classic florist-quality red roses indoors regularly from midsummer onwards, suiting the rose lover who enjoys arranging their own bouquets |
| Small rose group beside patio or terrace |
Plant 3–5 bushes together at 60–90 cm spacings to form a rich, dark red mass of flowers; the strong classic scent carries well around seating areas, creating an intimate evening atmosphere for the relaxed garden entertainer |
| Formal flowerbed with low-maintenance structure |
Upright, uniform growth between 70–95 cm and glossy, dark green foliage give a steady, structural presence that works in simple rectangular beds; with low maintenance needs and good disease resistance, this suits the busy but proud gardener |
| Mixed border with perennials and shrubs |
The deep ruby to wine-red flowers pair beautifully with silvers, whites and soft pinks, while repeat flowering adds seasonal rhythm; its moderate size fits easily among perennials, appealing to the creative border planner |
| Feature rose in a large container |
Performs well in a generous 40–50 litre container with good drainage, giving You classic hybrid tea flowers on a terrace or small urban space where border soil may be limited, ideal for balcony and patio focused residents |
| Weather-resilient planting in exposed Irish sites |
Good disease resistance and reliable growth help it cope with damp, changeable Irish weather, even where cool winds and frequent rain demand sturdy plants that hold their looks, reassuring the climate-aware coastal gardener |
| Long-term rose bed for family gardens |
Own-root plants build lasting framework and can regenerate well after pruning, giving a stable, enduring planting that will mature over several seasons into a dependable, reblooming feature for the long-view family planner |
Decorating ideas
- Classic front path avenue – Line the path with evenly spaced Rosenthal bushes for a formal, ruby-red welcome, combining them with low white Iberis sempervirens – ideal for homeowners who like a neat, traditional look
- Romantic cottage corner – Underplant Rosenthal with soft pink gypsophila and airy herbs for a relaxed, country feel, letting the dark red blooms glow against lighter companions – perfect for fans of cottage-style gardens
- Evening scent terrace pot – Grow a single plant in a 40–50 litre container near seating so its strong fragrance can be enjoyed on summer evenings – suited to balcony and patio gardeners with limited bed space
- Formal red-and-green bed – Combine Rosenthal with clipped box or low evergreen shapes for a structured, low-maintenance display where glossy foliage and dark flowers provide year-round poise – great for busy urban families
- Cutting garden strip – Dedicate a sunny strip to Rosenthal in rows, ensuring easy access for snipping long stems for vases and gifts – a good choice for beginners who want reliable flowers for the house
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as KORtat, traded as Rosenthal – dark red hybrid tea rose – Kordes; ARS exhibition name Tatjana, belonging to the Hybrid Tea commercial group. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Reimer Kordes (W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany) from ‘Liebeszauber’ × ‘Präsident Dr. H.C. Schroder’; introduced and registered in 1970 as a premium garden and cutting hybrid tea. |
| Growth and structure |
Upright, bushy plant 70–95 cm tall and 50–70 cm wide, with dense, dark green, glossy foliage and moderate thorns; forms a compact, elegant bush suitable for beds, borders and containers. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, high-centred, pointed-budded flowers with over 40 petals; extra-large, exhibition-type blooms borne mainly singly on stems, repeating with a generous second flush in season. |
| Colour and phenology |
Deep, velvety dark red flowers; buds almost black burgundy, opening ruby-red with deeper inner shading and small white streaks at petal bases; colour holds well in sun, with only slight fading in strong light. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, classic rose fragrance, noticeable around the plant and particularly appealing when used as a cut flower indoors or planted close to seating where the scent can be appreciated in the evening. |
| Rose hip characteristics |
Produces small quantities of ellipsoidal orange-red hips, about 10–14 mm in diameter; hips are mainly of ornamental interest and do not generally dominate the plant’s late-season appearance. |
| Resistance and hardiness |
Good overall disease resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust; winter hardy to about −21 to −18 °C (USDA 6b, RHS H7, Swedish Zone 3) with moderate heat tolerance and regular watering in dry spells. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers a sunny position in well-drained soil; remove spent blooms to encourage further flowering. Recommended spacing: 60 cm for mass planting, 50 cm for hedges, 90 cm for specimens, about 3 plants per m². |
Rosenthal Hybrid tea rose KORtat offers richly scented, exhibition-quality dark red blooms on a healthy, long-lived own-root plant that settles reliably into family gardens; consider it if You want a classic, low-fuss rose that will reward simple care.
