Rosa Sternenhimmel - Miniature Rose

The rose Sternenhimmel® forms a small shrub covered with single flowers in a very pale pink, opening to reveal a cluster of golden stamens. Their dog rose-like appearance and abundance have earned it its name, which means "starry sky" in German. Flowering from June to October, it is very popular with pollinating insects. Its small size makes it suitable for edging, the front of beds and containers. Generous and easy to grow, it is perfect for a small natural garden: its exceptional disease resistance has earned it the highly demanding German ADR award. 

Sternenhimmel®, whose varietal name is 'KORhubhak', belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is a small deciduous shrub whose leaves fall in autumn. This variety was bred in Germany by W. Kordes’ Söhne and introduced in 2020 into the NektarGarten® collection, dedicated to roses whose flowers are accessible to insects. It received the ADR award in 2021, following trials conducted without fungicide treatments in several German gardens. This distinction takes into account the abundance of flowering, the quality of the foliage, hardiness and resistance to the main diseases. The variety has also attracted attention in several international new rose competitions, notably in Baden-Baden and Nyon. This rose develops short stems, branched from the base, which form a rounded, dense and slightly upright bush measuring 30-35 cm in height and spread. Its growth is particularly dense close to the ground, a desirable quality for a low border or a small container. Its harmonious habit also makes it suitable for planting in groups, at a rate of five or six plants per square metre. The leaves are composed of small, toothed leaflets, dark green and slightly glossy. They show low susceptibility to black spot, powdery mildew and rust. Borne in clusters well clear of the foliage, the flowers measure 3 to 4 cm across. Each has five petals, soft pink when opening, which fade around an almost white centre. Their colour may vary with temperature and sunlight. The clearly visible yellow stamens provide pollen and nectar for bees and other insects. Flowering continues from June to October, with short pauses between each flush of flowers. If the last faded flowers are not removed, they are followed in autumn by small bright red rose hips. Very hardy (down to -20°C), the plant copes well with normal winters in the open ground. It requires more attention in a pot, as the growing medium dries out and freezes more quickly.

This miniature rose is used along a path, in front of a bed or in a small garden. Planted in groups of three to five, it creates a low flowering border. It can be combined with the miniature roses 'Schneeküsschen', 'Flirt 2011' and 'Lupo', to create a soft, natural display. Between these small bushes, tussock bellflower, Alchemilla erythropoda, hardy geranium 'Orkney Cherry' and speedwell 'Nana Blue' introduce blue, chartreuse green and foliage in bronze shades. Sternenhimmel® can also be grown on its own in a pot measuring 30 to 40 cm in diameter.

A.D.R. award: this is a German award, with ADR being the acronym for "Allgemeine Deutsche Rosenneuheitenprüfung", awarded each year to exceptional roses. They are judged according to various criteria, such as the beauty of the plant, its fragrance, its habit, the abundance of its flowering, its hardiness and its resistance to diseases. The plants are tested in real-life conditions for 3 years, in 11 rose gardens located throughout Germany, in different climates, and receive no chemical treatments. This award is not granted for life; it can constantly be called into question, as each plant is monitored for many years.