GRÄFIN DIANA® – burgundy-red hybrid tea rose – Kordes
Step onto your coastal veranda, wrap your hands around a cup of tea and let the deep, velvety blooms of GRÄFIN DIANA® bring a sense of quiet luxury to breezy afternoons. This Parfuma® hybrid tea fills the air with an intense, fruity-spicy fragrance that drifts through open doors and across shingle, even in a compact family garden. Grown on its own roots for dependable longevity, it establishes securely and copes steadily with strong breezes and frequent rain in exposed gardens near the sea. Over time, it develops a well-anchored root system that helps manage wet weather and stormy periods with reassuring stability. In a large 40–50 litre container, its upright habit and glossy dark foliage create a smart, vertical accent against pale walls, while the long-stemmed, exhibition-quality blooms are perfect for cutting and bringing indoors. Suitable for partial shade, it makes the most of sheltered corners on a balcony or patio where you can enjoy the view as much as the perfume.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Coastal veranda in a large container |
An upright, bushy structure and strong root system in own-root form make GRÄFIN DIANA® well suited to large 40–50 litre pots that will not topple or dry out too quickly on breezy decks; ideal for someone wanting tangible structure from one main feature rose for coastal-style lovers |
| Fragrant seating area by the back door |
The exceptionally strong, fruity-spicy scent easily perfumes a small patio or back step, so even one or two plants beside a favourite chair give a “perfume garden” feeling for busy urban garden owners |
| Small shingle or gravel bed near the house |
A compact footprint and columnar habit mean it fits neatly into narrow shingle beds, providing a vertical accent without crowding paths, giving depth and colour where space is tight for owners of coastal verandas |
| Cutting corner for indoor vases |
Long, elegant stems with large, very double blooms offer classic hybrid tea form, so a single plant can supply richly coloured stems for vases throughout the season for hobby gardeners |
| Part-shaded side return or alleyway |
Its tolerance of partial shade allows planting where light is limited but not deep, creating a scented route between front and back gardens and making use of often-neglected spaces for homeowners |
| Feature plant among low, silver-leaved perennials |
Glossy dark foliage and velvety burgundy flowers contrast beautifully with pale grasses and grey foliage, turning even a small border into a sophisticated focal point for coastal-style lovers |
| Family garden mixed border |
Own-root plants recover more reliably from damage and pruning, supporting long-term use in lived-in family spaces where stray footballs, pets and occasional neglect are part of normal life for family gardeners |
| Sheltered terrace with sea views |
In a spot that enjoys sun but some protection from the harshest gusts, its stable own-root system and dense canopy cope well with wind-driven showers and a generally breezy setting, rewarding minimal input over years for beginners |
Styling ideas
- Shingle Romance – plant GRÄFIN DIANA® in a 50-litre clay pot sunk into shingle and surround it with sea kale and Festuca to echo a Cornish beach palette – perfect for coastal-style lovers
- Tea-and-Roses Corner – place one plant beside a bistro set on a veranda, underplanted with sweet alyssum to soften the pot rim – ideal for beginners who want easy fragrance
- Burgundy Feature Border – position as a single specimen in a narrow bed, backed by pale walls and flanked by lavender for scent layers – for homeowners seeking a simple statement
- Perfumed Cutting Strip – line a sunny fence with spaced plants, interwoven with white Liatris for contrast, so you can cut stems without emptying the border – for hobby gardeners who love arranging flowers
- Coastal Container Trio – group one GRÄFIN DIANA® with two lower pots of Sedum and ornamental grasses on a sheltered terrace to build height and movement – suited to busy urban garden owners
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, Parfuma® collection; registered as KORdiagraf, marketed as Gräfin Diana® Parfuma® KORdiagraf, with ARS exhibition name Gräfin Diana for show purposes. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Tim-Hermann Kordes (Germany), W. Kordes’ Söhne, from Chartreuse de Parme × (Esther Geldenhuys × unknown seedling); introduced and registered in 2012 for garden and exhibition use. |
| Awards and recognition |
ADR award Germany 2014; Rose of the Year GRF 2017; Grand Prix de la Rose France 2018; fragrance awards in The Hague 2018 and Adelaide 2016, plus honours at Hradec Králové trials. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, slightly columnar bush 100–140 cm high and 65–95 cm wide, with dense, glossy dark green foliage and moderate thorns; some spent blooms may require manual deadheading. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very double rosette blooms with more than 40 petals, borne mainly singly on long stems; well remontant with a generous second flush, suitable for cutting and formal display work. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep velvety burgundy-red with subtle black tones; buds almost black-burgundy; colour deepens in cooler weather, pales slightly in heat, and fades towards ruby red without unattractive browning or muddiness. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, garden-filling scent combining fruity and spicy notes; designed for perfume impact at close quarters, particularly effective near seating areas and paths where air movement is moderate. |
| Hip characteristics |
Rosehip set is generally sparse due to the very double flowers, but occasional small spherical orange-red hips 6–10 mm in diameter may appear if blooms are left uncut after flowering. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated H7, hardy around –21 to –18 °C and USDA zone 6b; foliage is very susceptible to powdery mildew, black spot and rust, so reliable performance needs regular preventative plant protection. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in fertile, well-drained soil and sun to partial shade; allow 50–90 cm spacing; water steadily in dry spells and maintain a protective spray programme plus deadheading for sustained display. |
GRÄFIN DIANA® offers intensely perfumed, velvety burgundy blooms on a long-lived, own-root plant that anchors well in breezy gardens and suits generous containers, making it a thoughtful choice if you enjoy both garden and vase roses.
