Rosa 'Souvenir de Baden-Baden' - Hybrid Tea Rose

The 'Souvenir de Baden-Baden' Bush Rose is an exceptional hybrid tea variety whose beauty cannot be ignored. Obtained in Germany by the rose grower Kordes, the complex and magnificent fragrance of its flowers earned it the title of "best rose of the century" in Lyon in 2010. On a vigorous but moderately sized bush, double cup-shaped roses bloom from June to October, with fringed petals that are pink and tightly packed in the centre, becoming more open at the edges and gradually fading to white cream. A disease-resistant bush, truly remarkable in every way!

The 'Souvenir de Baden Baden' Rose (Korsouba) is named after a German thermal spa founded by the Romans, renowned throughout Europe for its elegance. This rose has received the German ADR label, one of the most demanding in the world. Varieties are evaluated in real conditions, without sanitary treatment for three years and in varied growing conditions. They are judged on their beauty, flowering, fragrance, colour, vegetation, habit, hardiness, growth, and resistance to fungal diseases. Only 183 tested varieties have received this label to date.

'Souvenir de Baden Baden' forms an upright bush that reaches 80 cm (32in) in height and 40 cm (16in) in width and is very repeat-flowering. Its flowers are double, 10 cm (4in) wide, and long-lasting in a vase. The petals are slightly fringed and turned outwards. Its fragrance has been the subject of a complete study, which is rare enough to be noted. Its breeder, Kordes, describes it as:

"Korsouba combines the subtle note of lychee with the young elderflower and the mirabelle plum. A pungent muscat scent comes to the fore, giving the rose a noble and spicy breath. In the heart, the classic rose fragrance is combined with the increasing impression of mandarin. In the base, the spicy note always remains alongside the earthy aspects of patchouli, wonderfully complemented by the powdery-fruity note of the rose."

The branches bear glossy, deciduous foliage that is dark red when young and becomes dark green. Its disease resistance is excellent.

With its slightly nostalgic and fragrant flowering, this hybrid tea rose Baden Baden deserves an equally graceful setting and a place not far from the house. Some light-flowering perennial plants (autumn asters, foxgloves, penstemons) and grasses are ideal for enhancing its beauty and accompanying it late in the season. For example, pair it with Geranium macrorrhizum, Geranium Pink Cloud, Geranium grandiflorum, Panicum, Nepeta Walker's Low, and campanulas. It will look good as a standalone plant and in a large pot on your terrace or balcony. Its flowers make beautiful romantic bouquets in the company of peonies and lilacs.

Bred by Kordes - 2008.