INNOCENCIA® – white groundcover rose – Kordes
Let INNOCENCIA® bring a feeling of coastal refreshment to your family garden: a low, spreading shrub rose that covers the ground in pure white flowers from early summer well into autumn, with a light, innocent fragrance and reliable repeat flushes. Its dense, glossy foliage and neat, self-cleaning blooms keep borders looking effortlessly tidy, while outstanding, ADR-level disease resistance keeps maintenance pleasantly simple. Bred by Kordes for modern landscapes, this compact groundcover performs in exposed, breezy gardens where good anchoring roots help it cope with blustery, rain-laden coastal weather. As an own-root plant it establishes steadily, promising a long-lived, easily rejuvenated presence in beds and large containers. Think of it as a calm, white canvas under sea kale, grasses or lavender, perfect beside gravel paths, shingle or a veranda deck. In its first year it concentrates on roots, in the second on strong new shoots, and by the third it delivers full ornamental impact, giving you reliable seaside-character charm with very little effort.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Coastal veranda containers (40–50 litre) |
In a large, well-drained container, INNOCENCIA® forms a low, cascading mound that shrugs off wind and showers, ideal beside outdoor seating where you want calm white flowers rather than high-maintenance showpieces; perfect for the busy veranda owner. |
| Small family front garden beds |
Its compact, spreading habit quickly knits together to cover soil, reducing weeding and creating a clean, unified look in modest front gardens, with flowers repeating through the season for a welcoming entrance; ideal for the time-pressed homeowner. |
| Low-maintenance groundcover on gentle slopes |
The dense, branching structure and fibrous root system help anchor light or improved clay soils, making it useful on low banks where you want stability, neat cover and minimal pruning rather than labour-intensive planting; suited to the practical gardener. |
| Mixed coastal-style bed with grasses |
Its pure white, semi-double clusters sit beautifully among blue fescues and other low grasses, echoing shingle and surf while its strong health means less spraying and fuss, even in exposed spots with frequent wind and showers; reassuring for the coastal-style enthusiast. |
| Urban courtyard or patio planting |
Bred for very good urban tolerance, it endures reflected heat, short dry spells and compacted surroundings, remaining green and floriferous with routine watering, giving reliable softness to hard landscaping; a boon for the city-based gardener. |
| Partially shaded family side paths |
INNOCENCIA® tolerates partial shade, still flowering well along side paths between houses where sun is limited, brightening these routes with light-toned blooms and glossy foliage that children and guests pass daily; attractive to the family-focused planter. |
| Pollinator-friendly white border edge |
The semi-double, cupped flowers expose pollen-rich stamens, offering food for visiting bees while maintaining a calm, white colour theme; repeated clusters along a border edge create both ecological and aesthetic value for the nature-conscious beginner. |
| Long-lived, low-care rose strip along drive |
Own-root vigour and ADR-backed disease resistance give a long service life with light annual pruning and simple watering, ideal for drive-side strips where you want durable structure, good colour retention and very little ongoing work; ideal for the low-maintenance seeker. |
Styling ideas
- Seaside-border – Combine INNOCENCIA® with sea kale and blue Festuca in a gravel bed to echo coastal shingle and surf – for lovers of relaxed, maritime garden character.
- Veranda-ribbon – Plant three shrubs in 50 litre troughs along a balcony rail for a low white cascade that softens wind-exposed edges – for flat dwellers and townhouse veranda owners.
- Front-frame – Use as a continuous ground-hugging band in front of taller shrubs to create a crisp white frame to the house – for homeowners seeking tidy kerb appeal with little effort.
- Family-path – Line a gently curving path with repeated plants underplanted with lavender for scent and structure – for families wanting a simple, easy-care route to the front door.
- Urban-oasis – Mix with Nepeta x faassenii and decorative gravel in courtyard beds for heat-tolerant softness and pollinator interest – for city gardeners with compact outdoor spaces.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Groundcover shrub rose from the RigoRosen® collection; registered as KORstarnow, marketed as Innocencia® / INNOCENCIA® and Innocencia™ in shows, shrub-rose exhibition category. |
| Origin and breeding |
Sport of ‘Lorena®’ (KORlorena), bred by Wilhelm Kordes III at W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany; bred 2002, registered 2002, introduced 2003, initially distributed by W. Kordes’ Söhne. |
| Awards and recognition |
ADR certified in Germany (2003); multiple international medals including Premio Roma Gold (2002), silver medals at Baden-Baden and Le Roeulx (2002), Golden Rose of Hradec Králové (2007). |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Low, spreading groundcover habit with dense branching; height around 45–75 cm, spread 60–110 cm; moderately thorny shoots; foliage dark green, glossy and full, forming an even, covering canopy. |
| Flower morphology |
Semi-double, cupped flowers with roughly 13–25 petals; medium-sized clusters on short stems; remontant, giving an abundant second flush and further repeats through the season; self-cleaning reported as good. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Pure white blooms with a light ivory tone at the centre; ARS white, RHS 155D outer, 155C inner; colour holds well, later showing a soft beige tint on outer petals before they fall; overall, excellent colour retention. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Fresh, light fragrance of mild intensity; subtle enough for seating areas yet noticeable at close range; open flower form and accessible stamens attract bees and other pollinators for part of the flowering season. |
| Hip characteristics |
After flowering, a modest number of small, spherical rose hips may develop; typically 6–10 mm in diameter, orange coloured, adding a gentle seasonal accent in autumn without overwhelming the plant. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
High disease resistance, including resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; hardy to approximately −26 to −23 °C (H7, USDA 5b); good heat tolerance with extra watering advised in prolonged drought. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to groundcover, edging, beds, slopes, containers and urban plantings; plant at 75–150 cm spacing; prefers well-drained soil; low maintenance with light pruning and regular watering during establishment. |
INNOCENCIA® offers long-lived own-root reliability, clean white repeat flowering and low-maintenance, disease-resistant groundcover performance, making it a considered choice if you would like a quietly dependable rose.
