KARDINAL – red hybrid tea rose - Krause
Imagine settling with afternoon tea on a sheltered coastal veranda as saltwind brushes in from the sea, your ‘KARDINAL’ hybrid tea rose adding quietly confident structure and velvety coral-red blooms to a small shingle garden. This compact, bushy plant is naturally suited to breeze-prone sites, holding its flowers firmly so you can enjoy reliable colour even where other roses struggle with gusts and showers in exposed Cornish or Devon plots. As an own-root rose it offers enduring stability and calm, recovering well if weather or pruning are less than perfect, and settling into a predictable rhythm of flowering with modest care. In a 40–50 litre container or directly in well-drained beds it anchors the scene without overwhelming space, gradually building strength below ground before rewarding you above, following the natural pattern of strong roots in the first year, bolder shoots in the second, and full ornamental presence by the third for long-term coastal relaxation.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Compact coastal front garden by a low wall or fence |
The bushy, upright habit keeps flowers at a practical height, giving a structured splash of coral-red without taking over a narrow strip. Reliable remontant flowering offers repeat colour through the season for the busy homeowner. |
| Large container (40–50 litres) on a sheltered veranda |
In a generous pot with good drainage, Kardinal establishes steadily and rewards you with exhibition-style blooms close to seating areas. The own-root form copes better with occasional drying or missed feeds for the time-poor balcony-gardener. |
| Small mixed border with ornamental grasses |
Its medium height and dense foliage sit well among low grasses and perennials, adding formal rose flowers without demanding intricate maintenance. Occasional deadheading and basic pest checks suffice for the relaxed hobby-gardener. |
| Sheltered coastal seating nook or “tea corner” |
Firm stems and a compact frame suit breezy, semi-sheltered corners, where the rose reads as a calm focal point beside a bench. It offers repeated flushes of colour in typical showery coastal weather for the seaside-style enthusiast. |
| Informal row or low hedge along a path |
Planted at 40–50 cm intervals, Kardinal forms a neat, moderately thorny line that subtly guides movement without forming a dense barrier. The remontant habit ensures path edges stay interesting for the practical family-gardener. |
| Feature plant in a small family lawn island bed |
Its clear, deep coral-red blooms stand out against lawn, giving a classic “rose in the round” effect from all sides. Own-root vigour supports gradual crown build-up year after year for the long-term garden-planner. |
| Clay-based garden with improved drainage in a mild region |
Where soils are heavy but drainage has been improved, the strong bushy habit and moderate disease resistance offer dependable structure through typical British seasons with wind, rain and changeable skies for the realistic beginner. |
| Cutting and exhibition corner near the back of the garden |
Solitary, cupped, fully double blooms on sturdy stems lend themselves to cutting for vases or show benches, while the shrub continues to flower again later. This makes it an efficient dual-purpose plant for the aspiring exhibitor. |
Styling ideas
- Coastal Veranda Trio – pair Kardinal in a 50 litre container with blue Festuca and a low Lavandula for a wind-tolerant, salt-evoking palette – ideal for coastal-style veranda owners.
- Shingle Drift – plant among sea kale and silver-foliage perennials in free-draining shingle, letting the coral-red flowers glow against cool, maritime tones – for design-led coastal gardeners.
- Tea and Roses Nook – place one or two bushes beside a small bistro set, underplanted with soft pink Lupinus Gallery forms – perfect for those who want an elegant yet undemanding tea corner.
- Grasses and Glow – weave Kardinal between clumps of Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ and ornamental grasses to contrast structured blooms with airy movement – suited to time-poor family gardeners.
- Classic Cutting Strip – line a sunny fence with evenly spaced plants, underplanted with Liatris spicata ‘Alba’, to supply straight stems for indoor vases – for home florists who enjoy simple, repeat harvests.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as Kardinal; commercial trade name Kardinal Hybrid tea rose Kardinal; ARS approved exhibition name Kardinal; collection and commercial group: Hybrid tea rose. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Max Krause in Germany, 1933, from a ‘Château de Clos-Vougeot’ seedling; introduced in 1936 by Hazlewood Bros. Pty. Ltd. in Australia; unregistered cultivar with long-standing garden use. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy, upright shrub reaching about 75–105 cm high and 60–85 cm wide, densely thorned, with light green, slightly glossy foliage; forms a compact, well-filled framework suitable for beds and containers. |
| Flower morphology |
Fully double, cupped blooms with a distinct mid-centre, typically 26–39 petals; medium-sized solitary flowers on stems suitable for cutting; remontant habit with a good secondary flush in favourable conditions. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep coral-red with a cool undertone; buds fiery red-coral, opening to warm coral with orange inner glow; colour softens to brick–terracotta and rosy-powdery edges before fading; ARS code DR; RHS 187A outer, 53B inner. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very weak fragrance with a neutral, clean character; chosen more for colour purity and form than scent; suitable for settings where strong perfume is unnecessary or where mixed plantings already provide fragrance. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip set expected to be modest due to fully double flowers; when present, produces small spherical red hips about 10–14 mm in diameter, adding a discreet seasonal accent late in the year. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Moderate resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; benefits from standard monitoring in humid seasons; hardy approximately to -15 to -12 °C (RHS H6), matching many milder UK and coastal climates. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Maintenance level medium: needs occasional pest and disease checks plus deadheading; recommended spacing 40–80 cm depending on use; plant in fertile, well-drained soil or 40–50 litre containers for best performance. |
KARDINAL offers compact structure, season-long coral-red blooms and steady own-root resilience in beds or large containers, making it a thoughtful choice if you would like a classic hybrid tea without complex upkeep.
