GRÄFIN DIANA® – burgundy-red hybrid tea rose - Kordes
Step out after summer rain and meet fragrance at its richest: GRÄFIN DIANA® is a Parfuma® hybrid tea whose velvety burgundy-red blooms and very strong, fruity-spicy scent create a calm sense of balance even in the smallest London front garden. Large, exhibition-quality flowers on upright, bushy growth give reliable impact from mid-season onwards, while the own-root form builds long-term resilience and recovers more steadily from pruning or weather damage than grafted plants. In its first years, roots establish, then strong shoots follow, and by the third summer you enjoy full ornamental value with stable longevity. Dense, glossy dark foliage supports the dramatic flower colour, and moderate self-cleaning makes routine maintenance straightforward. In wetter, wind-exposed situations it benefits from good air flow and careful planting that copes gracefully with frequent rain and heavier soils, supporting healthier growth over time. Ideal for cutting, this rose brings stately character indoors as well as to the garden path.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Feature rose by the front door |
As a focal point beside a path or doorstep, its upright, bushy habit and large, formal blooms give strong visual impact in a compact footprint, creating a welcoming sense of occasion each time you come home, especially valued by busy urban gardeners. |
| Cutting and indoor arrangements |
The long-stemmed, very double hybrid tea flowers are ideal for vases, with velvety petals and a show-bench form that lasts well when cut at the half-open stage, a refined choice for home flower enthusiasts. |
| Scent-focused seating corner |
Plant near a bench or small terrace to enjoy the very strong, fruity-spicy perfume at nose height in the evening, turning even a modest patio into a richly scented retreat for fragrance-loving beginners. |
| Own-root long-term planting |
As an own-root rose it gradually forms a stable, multi-stemmed shrub that regrows from its own base after hard pruning or weather damage, supporting a longer planting life with consistent shape for long-range planners. |
| Rain-conscious front garden bed |
Planted with a free-draining sub-layer in heavier soils, it suits rainwater-conscious front gardens where downpipes are disconnected and surface water is directed through planting, an approach that appeals to sustainability-minded homeowners. |
| Partial-shade city plots |
Tolerant of partial shade, it performs reliably where high walls, parked cars or neighbouring houses limit direct sun, extending rose choices for overlooked terraces and side paths used by urban courtyard owners. |
| Low-effort paired planting |
Combine with low, drought-tolerant perennials such as catmint, sage or lavender to fill gaps, soften the stems and reduce weeding, creating a fuller effect with less ongoing effort for time-pressed gardeners. |
| Showpiece specimen in a large container |
In a 40–50 litre or larger pot with quality peat-free compost and regular feeding, it becomes a movable statement plant that can frame a doorway or balcony edge, especially practical for small-space garden owners. |
Styling ideas
- Velvet-Entrance – Flank a narrow front path with two plants underplanted with soft nepeta to echo the burgundy blooms, creating a romantic, “girly” welcome – ideal for terrace-house fronts.
- Balcony-Boudoir – Grow one plant in a large container with trailing sweet alyssum, using pale flowers to highlight the dark roses – suited to perfume lovers with limited space.
- Rain-Garden-Ribbon – Position along a shallow swale with sedum and ornamental grasses, letting water soak through rather than run off – for sustainability-focused urban gardeners.
- Scented-Retreat – Place near a compact bench, backed by evergreen shrubs, so the strong perfume encloses the seating area – perfect for evening readers and tea-drinkers.
- Showpiece-Solo – Use as a lone specimen in a small lawn circle, edged with low lavender for structure and fragrance contrast – appealing to beginners wanting maximum effect from one rose.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, Parfuma® collection; registered as KORdiagraf, marketed as GRÄFIN DIANA® Parfuma®; ARS exhibition name Gräfin Diana; premium gold authenticity-verified cultivar. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Tim-Hermann Kordes, Germany, from Chartreuse de Parme × (Esther Geldenhuys × seedling); introduced by W. Kordes’ Söhne in 2012 as a modern, strongly scented garden and cut rose. |
| Awards and recognition |
Holds ADR Germany 2014; Rose of the Year GRF 2017; Grand Prix de la Rose France 2018; top fragrance awards at The Hague 2018, Adelaide 2016 and Hradec Králové, confirming global merit. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, bushy, slightly columnar plant reaching about 100–140 cm tall and 65–95 cm wide, with dense, glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickles; some deadheading is needed for best presentation. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, solitary, very double rosette blooms with 40+ petals on strong stems; well remontant, giving a generous second flush if regularly deadheaded; ideal for cutting and formal hybrid tea displays. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep, velvety burgundy-red flowers with darker, almost black bud tones; colour holds well, fading towards ruby red without browning; slightly lighter in heat, richer and darker in cooler conditions. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, garden-filling perfume with fruity and spicy notes, designed for close-up enjoyment in seating areas or as cut flowers; one of the most intensely scented Kordes Parfuma® hybrid tea cultivars. |
| Hip characteristics |
Due to very double flowers, hips are few; occasional small, spherical orange-red hips 6–10 mm may form late season, mainly of ornamental rather than wildlife or culinary interest. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately −21 to −18 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6b, Swedish zone 3); foliage can be very susceptible to black spot, mildew and rust, so consistent, proactive care is important for best results. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to flowerbeds, specimens, hedging rhythm and containers; allow 50–90 cm spacing; prefers full sun or light shade, fertile, well-drained soil and regular watering plus timely plant protection. |
GRÄFIN DIANA® Parfuma® offers sumptuous burgundy blooms, powerful fragrance and a compact, front-garden-friendly habit, with own-root resilience supporting long-term enjoyment; an excellent choice if you wish to invest in a truly characterful rose.
