BORDEAUX® – burgundy bedding floribunda rose – Kordes
Step through your front gate and be met by velvet waves of deep wine-red blooms from BORDEAUX®, a compact floribunda bred by Kordes for reliable garden performance. This bushy bedding rose flowers repeatedly from early summer well into autumn, holding its colour attractively as older blooms soften into rich magenta tones. In typical British conditions – where heavy showers and brisk winds are common – its dense foliage and upright habit keep borders looking orderly, while its tested disease resistance means less routine spraying and fewer worries about black spot. In a modest London terrace or small family garden, the 2-litre own-root plant quickly settles in and, with its low-maintenance character, suits busy urban owners who want dependable colour rather than constant gardening tasks. Plant once, water in well, then let its sturdy structure and long flowering provide lasting impact; roots establish first, shoots build up the following year, and by the third season the plant reaches its full ornamental potential. Equally at home in clay-based beds improved with compost or in larger containers, its glossy dark foliage and mild fruity fragrance bring an understated elegance that complements both classic and contemporary front gardens, while the own-root habit supports long-term resilience and easier renewal after harsh winters or harder pruning.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front garden bedding strip |
The compact, upright habit and dense foliage create a neat, low hedge of burgundy blooms that frames a path or bay window without overwhelming a small frontage, ideal for busy homeowners seeking structure with minimal shaping for beginners. |
| Mixed border focal drift |
Planted in small groups, the abundant, repeat-flowering clusters build a strong block of colour that blends well with perennials such as lavender or nepeta, maintaining visual interest from early summer to autumn for design-conscious gardeners. |
| Rainwater-friendly clay bed |
Once established in well-prepared, freely draining clay, its good disease resistance and ability to hold ornamental value through spells of wet, windy weather offer a resilient backbone for gardens managing heavy rainwater for urban households. |
| Large container on terrace or balcony |
In a 40–50 litre pot with peat-free compost, its bushy growth and repeated flowering provide long-season colour at eye level, needing only regular watering and light deadheading to suit time-poor city dwellers for balcony-owners. |
| Small family back garden border |
Children and adults alike benefit from the predictable, summer-long display and moderate prickliness, creating a defined flower zone that is attractive yet practical around play areas, with simple pruning keeping it in shape for families. |
| Formal bed or low rose hedge |
Regular spacing along a path or drive produces a uniform line of wine-red cups over glossy foliage, echoing traditional rose gardens while remaining comparatively low care due to its robust health profile for classic-lovers. |
| Cut-flower corner |
The large, double, cup-shaped blooms with a mild fruity note lend themselves well to short-stemmed arrangements, allowing you to harvest colour from the border without noticeably depleting the display for home-florists. |
| Replacement planting in established rose bed |
As an own-root floribunda, it offers long-term stability, the capacity to regenerate well from strong pruning and reliable flowering continuity, helping to refresh older beds without frequent replanting for long-term-planners. |
Styling ideas
- Burgundy-Romantic – Mass-plant BORDEAUX® in front of a clipped evergreen hedge, weaving in pale pink Clematis montana for soft contrast – for lovers of classic romance in compact spaces.
- Urban-Formal – Use a single row along a townhouse path, underplanting with low thyme to soften edges and add scent – for city gardeners wanting crisp structure with minimal upkeep.
- Wine-Tones – Combine with deep-purple salvia and dark-leaved heucheras to build a sophisticated, tonal scheme – for those who enjoy rich, coordinated colour palettes.
- Clay-Companion – In improved clay beds, pair with hardy geraniums and catmint to extend flowering and support good drainage – for practical gardeners working with heavier soils.
- Container-Courtyard – Plant one rose per 50-litre pot with silver-leaved sage around the rim to highlight the burgundy blooms – for balcony and courtyard owners seeking impactful pots.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bedding rose registered as KORelamba, marketed as BORDEAUX® – burgundy bedding floribunda rose – Kordes, with ARS exhibition name ‘Bordeaux’ for both show and garden use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Tim-Hermann Kordes in Germany in 2004 from undisclosed parentage; introduced and first distributed by W. Kordes’ Söhne in 2014–2015 for ornamental bedding and border planting. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated in international trials: silver medals at Geneva and Kortrijk 2013, gold medal Rome 2013, Journalist Award Monza 2015, silver medal Glasgow 2017 and Australian National Trial gold 2017. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, bushy shrub reaching about 70–100 cm high and 45–65 cm wide, with dense, glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickles, forming a compact, cohesive bedding plant in typical garden settings. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, cup-shaped clusters with 26–39 petals per bloom, borne in trusses on branching stems, remontant habit ensuring an abundant first flush followed by a second rich flowering later in the season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Uniform deep wine-red, ARS MR, RHS 53A–53B in bud and early bloom, later lightening towards magenta and fuchsia-purple; colour softens slightly in strong sun while retaining an overall burgundy impression. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Mild, pleasantly fruity scent best appreciated at close range rather than across the garden; primarily selected for colour, form and reliability, so fragrance is present but deliberately restrained. |
| Hip characteristics |
Limited hip set due to heavily double flowers; when formed, hips are small, spherical, around 10–14 mm, with a dark red tone (RHS 45A) that adds discreet late-season interest among the foliage. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated resistant to black spot, powdery mildew and rust; hardy approximately to –23 to –21 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6a, Swedish Zone 3), maintaining ornamental value through typical European winters with minimal protection. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers sunny sites with well-drained soil; space 30–55 cm apart depending on use, allowing 8.2–9.4 plants/m² in mass plantings; low maintenance, needing only light pruning and occasional deadheading to tidy. |
BORDEAUX® – burgundy bedding floribunda rose – Kordes offers long-season colour, award-backed reliability and durable, own-root resilience, making it a thoughtful choice if you would like a richly toned yet undemanding garden rose.
