Rose Aphrodite

'Aphrodite' is a compact, large-flowered rose whose luxurious, softly coloured blooms combine the formal poise of a Hybrid Tea with the densely petalled character of an old garden rose. Its broad cups are usually pastel pink, often warmed by amber, apricot or flesh-coloured nuances toward the centre, and are carried against substantial, glossy green foliage. The flowers are notably durable, withstand rain better than many very double roses and are useful both in the garden and for cutting. A bushy, repeat-flowering plant of this rose makes it easier to place than many tall, sparsely furnished Hybrid Teas. Its combination of romantic form, restrained colour and reliable garden performance has earned it several European and British trial distinctions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

Rose 'Aphrodite' is a nostalgic Hybrid Tea developed by Tantau and reflects the increasingly fluid boundary between conventional Hybrid Teas and modern romantic shrub roses: 'Aphrodite' produces flowers of Hybrid Tea scale and cutting quality, yet its full, cupped blossoms and comparatively bushy growth do not conform to the narrow image of a high-centred exhibition rose on a rigid, sparsely branched plant. Its distinguishing feature is the balance between floral abundance and individual flower quality. The blossoms are large, very full and finely packed, but the plant is not merely a producer of occasional show flowers. Established plants repeat in successive flushes and can form a substantial display across the whole bush. The soft pink colour has amber-pink quality because warm cream, peach or apricot undertones are often visible in the inner petals, particularly in cool weather or during the early stages of opening.

Unlike some full roses, whose flowers ball or decay rapidly in wet conditions, 'Aphrodite' was selected and promoted for relatively durable petals and good resistance to rain and Botrytis damage. These qualities, together with healthy leathery foliage and a compact-to-medium stature, account for its continued relevance in contemporary gardens. It can serve as a specimen, form part of a formal Hybrid Tea bed, be planted in small groups among herbaceous perennials, or supply substantial stems for indoor arrangements.

FLOWERING

Rose 'Aphrodite' is repeated flowering variety in the strict botanical sense. After its first major display in early summer, it rests while new shoots mature and then produces further flushes through summer and into autumn. In favourable temperate climates, its flowering season lasts from May until frost. In colder continental gardens, the first flowers normally appear later, and the final flush may be curtailed by early autumn cold.

The first flush is usually the strongest and most synchronized. Later ones tend to be less uniform but can remain generous when faded flowers are removed, moisture is maintained and the plant is fed after its initial flowering. Individual stems commonly carry a solitary dominant bloom, as expected of a Hybrid Tea, although small groups of two or several flowers are also reported on stronger canes. The latter habit contributes to theits shrub-like garden effect.

Flowering strength depends on the renewal of vigorous basal and lateral shoots. A mature, well-fed plant presents its large pastel blooms across and slightly above the foliage rather than hiding them within the bush. Because each flower remains decorative for an appreciable period, even a moderate number of opening buds can create a sustained display. Very hot weather may shorten flower life and wash the colour toward pale shell pink, while cooler conditions generally produce richer amber-pink shading and slower, more deliberate opening.

Flower bud:

The buds are large and initially elongated to ovoid or broadly turbinate, with a recognizably spiral Hybrid Tea arrangement before the petals loosen. As colour becomes visible, the bud is soft pink, sometimes with a warmer peach or amber tones at the base and centre. The outer guard petals may be paler, slightly greenish on their exterior, or marked by the ordinary weathering that protects the inner flower.

The sepals have light to medium green colour with some lighter purple red intonations, more visible on the midrib part. The surface of the sepals is glandular and slightly hari on the upper surface and covered with whitish hairs on the inner surface. There are normally 3 lightly appendaged sepals and 2 unappendaged sepals with hairy edges.

The peduncle is long, thick and stiff, capable of supporting large flowers very well, has yellow green colour with purple red intonations, especially from the side turned to sun and smooth. The receptacle is medium to large in size, chalice shaped and has medium yellow green smooth surface with some purple red intonations.

The opening of the flower bud is gradual. The pointed or rounded-spiral bud first develops into a deep cup; the densely packed centre then expands without immediately becoming flat. This measured opening contributes to the flower’s longevity both on the plant and after cutting.

Bloom:

The open flower of rose 'Aphrodite' is generally 10 - 12 cm (4 - 4¾ in) in diameter, with approximately 11 cm (4⅓ in) often quoted as an average. The flowers petalage varies from very double to very full, having at least 40 petals and may extend their number up to 100 petals under favourable conditions. Petal number can vary with plant age, season, climate and agricultural conditions, so the higher figure should not be understood as an invariable botanical count.

The form of the flower is deep-cupped and nostalgic. The blooms when just starting to open retain a spiral or high-centered quality, after which the inner petals divide into closely arranged sectors. Well-developed flowers may therefore appear loosely quartered. The centre remains densely furnished, producing a rounded, almost peony-like volume without the extreme globular enclosure seen in some “Piano”-type roses.

Colour is best described as soft pastel pink with warm amber, flesh, cream or pale apricot shading. The warmest tones are normally concentrated among the inner petals, while the outer petals become cooler and paler. Temperature and light significantly affect the balance of the shades: cool conditions can preserve the peach-pink complexity, whereas strong sun tends to produce a more uniform shell or blush pink. The colour generally fades gracefully rather than changing abruptly, and the absence of harsh contrast makes 'Aphrodite' especially useful in romantic or pastel planting schemes.

Flowers commonly appear singly on flowering stems or sometimes in small clusters, of about 2 to 3 blooms together. This permits cutting of well-proportioned stems without sacrificing the cultivar’s broader garden shape. Repeat flowering is reliable when the plant is not allowed to become drought-stressed. Removing spent flowers back to a strong outward-facing leaflet encourages a prompt new flowers; toward the end of the season, lighter deadheading is preferable in cold climates so that the plant is not stimulated into tender growth immediately before frost.

Petals:

The petals are broad, numerous and closely imbricated. Those on the outside form a supporting cup, while the smaller inner petals create the quartered or densely folded centre. Their margins may become gently waved or reflexed as the bloom matures, but 'Aphrodite' is not primarily a frilled rose. The overall impression of the petals is of controlled fullness and rounded softness.

Petal texture is one of the rose’s practical merits. The thick, smooth and strong texture of the petals contributes to the flowers being long-lasting and relatively resistant to rain and Botrytis blight. No very full flower is immune to damage during prolonged cold rain, especially when moisture remains trapped between its central petals, but 'Aphrodite' generally opens more successfully than many thin-petalled, densely packed Hybrid Teas. Spent blooms should nevertheless be removed in persistently damp weather to prevent decaying petals from adhering to leaves and young shoots.

As the flower ages, the warmer central colour of the petals becomes less pronounced and the bloom moves toward pale pink. The cup broadens, the inner arrangement becomes more relaxed and the outer petals may turn back slightly. Even at this stage, the flower often retains sufficient substance for cutting or display rather than collapsing immediately.

Fragrance:

The fragrance of 'Aphrodite' is light to moderate and spicy. Scent intensity appears variable and is likely influenced by temperature, humidity, time of day, flower maturity and individual perception.

Reproductive parts:

The reproductive organs are largely concealed by the densely packed petals and not visible in flowers of 'Aphrodite'. Stamens may become visible only when an old flower opens widely, but when they do they become brown tan and do not have any decorative value.

PLANT

Rose variety 'Aphrodite' is a modern large-flowered rose which is classified as Hybrid Tea rose. Rosen Tantau markets this rose as a Nostalgic Hybrid Tea, whereas the Royal Horticultural Society treats it horticulturally as a Shrub rose. This difference reflects the increasingly fluid boundary between conventional Hybrid Teas and modern romantic Shrub roses: 'Aphrodite' produces flowers of Hybrid Tea scale and cutting quality, yet its full, cupped blossoms and comparatively bushy growth do not conform to the classical image of a high-centred exhibition rose on a rigid, sparsely branched plant.

'Aphrodite' forms a deciduous, upright but bushy rose, normally about 80 - 120 cm (2 ft 7 in - 3 ft 11 in) high. Width varies with climate, rootstock and pruning; approximately 50 - 80 cm (20 - 31 in) is typical, although well-established plants in mild climates may spread to about 1 m (3 ft 3 in). Its moderate dimensions suit mixed borders, dedicated rose beds, small groups and large containers. A spacing of approximately 45 - 50 cm (18–20 in) is often recommended in formal group planting, equivalent to four or five plants per square metre. Wider spacing improves air movement in humid gardens and allows each plant to develop a more natural outline.

The best position provides at least six hours of direct light, free air circulation and shelter from violent, flower-damaging winds. Morning sun is especially useful because it dries dew from the foliage. The soil should be fertile and humus-rich yet freely drained. Incorporating mature compost into the surrounding soil, rather than placing concentrated manure against the roots, encourages steady establishment. Newly planted bare-root roses require careful watering through their first growing season; established plants appreciate deep, less frequent watering rather than continual superficial sprinkling.

In spring, remove dead, diseased, crossing and weak wood before shortening the remaining strong shoots. A moderate Hybrid Tea pruning regime, usually retaining a balanced framework rather than cutting every cane severely to the same height, best preserves the cultivar’s bushy character. In cold climates, final pruning should wait until the most severe frost has passed. Summer deadheading promotes further flowering, while a balanced rose fertiliser in spring and a lighter feeding after the first flush support repeat bloom. Excess nitrogen should be avoided because it can produce soft growth at the expense of flower quality and disease tolerance.

Foliage:

There is a normal quantity of the foliage on the plant of rose 'Aphrodite'. Its foliage is large in size, medium to dark green in colour, often glossy, and has a distinctly substantial or leathery texture. The firm leaf surface gives the plant a polished ornamental appearance and provides an effective foil for the pale flowers. It may also help the foliage shed water, although leaf texture alone should never be treated as proof of immunity to fungal disease. The young new foliage and shoots may emerge with light bronze red shade and mature quickly to green.

Leaflets:

Leaves are pinnate and normally display the structural pattern typical of modern Hybrid Tea and shrub roses, with most often five leaflets on normal medium sized leaves in the middle of the flowering stem, and with variations from 3 to occasionally 7, including the terminal leaflet. Individual leaflets are generally broadly ovate to elliptic, narrowing toward the obcordate base and ending in an acute tip. The surface texture of the leaflets is leathery, smooth and glossy on the upper surface and matte on the under surface. The margins are serrated with large and single serration type, and the midrib and lateral venation are more apparent beneath than on the glossy upper surface. The terminal leaflet is usually the largest. The lateral leaflets are attached along a petiole and rachis, which may bear small stipules and occasional minor prickles.

Wood:

The plant develops upright main canes with enough lateral branching to form relatively full, slightly outwardly plants. Young shoots support large terminal flowers or small flower groups, while older basal canes gradually form the framework from which flowering laterals arise. The architecture is more compact and furnished than that of an old-fashioned exhibition Hybrid Tea with long, bare lower stems. The young canes emerge medium green in colour and have smooth bark, becoming darker green with age and the bark becomes smooth with some rough patches and strikes.

Vigour is generally strong, but the plant does not normally become an unwieldy shrub. Strong basal renewal should be encouraged by feeding after the first flush and by removing one exhausted old cane at the base when mature plants become congested. Flowers suitable for cutting are produced on firm new growth. Cutting should leave sufficient foliage on the remaining cane to sustain regrowth.

Prickles:

There is a normal quantity of prickles on the main canes from the base and on the laterals from the main canes of this rose variety. The prickles of 'Aphrodite' are substantially large, have straigh pyramidal shape with broad base and have medium green colour with bronze red shades, when they mature the colour becomes brown tan. Gloves remain advisable during planting and pruning, particularly when reaching into the centre of an established plant.

Small prickles:

Under normal growing conditions the smaller prickles and bristles are not observed on the main canes from the base and on the laterals from the main canes of this rose variety.

Disease resistance and stress tolerance:

'Aphrodite' has a notably good health reputation for a full Hybrid Tea rose. It is resistant to the all main foliar diseases, and its performance in several independent rose trials supports the view that it is more reliable than many older large-flowered varieties. Reports particularly emphasize durable foliage and flowers that tolerate rain and resist Botrytis damage relatively well. Nevertheless, good resistance does not mean immunity. Black spot may develop where foliage remains wet for long periods, especially in poorly ventilated beds or where infected leaves accumulate beneath the plant. Powdery mildew can appear during alternating dry-root conditions and humid nights. Rust is less frequently identified as a particular problem of this rose. Sanitation, adequate spacing, watering at soil level and avoidance of excessive nitrogen remain important. 'Aphrodite' has not received the German ADR designation, so its health should not be represented as having passed that specific unsprayed national trial.

In terms of winter hardiness 'Aphrodite' has a normal hardiness for a modern Hybrid Tea. The Royal Horticultural Society rates it H6, corresponding to tolerance of approximately −20 to −15°C (−4 to 5°F) when established in suitable ground. It is also widely listed for USDA zones 6b - 9b, although such zone assignments do not guarantee survival where winter desiccation, repeated freeze-thaw cycles or poorly drained soil accompany low temperature. In colder parts of zone 6 and in continental climates such as inland Central or Eastern Europe, the graft union should be planted slightly below soil level and the crown earthed up or mulched after the ground begins to cool. Tender autumn shoots should not be encouraged by late nitrogen feeding. Plants recovering from winter damage may be pruned back to sound green or cream-coloured pith in spring.

Heat tolerance is adequate as well in ordinary temperate and warm-temperate gardens, but the petals can fade and flowering may pause during extreme heat. Deep watering and an organic mulch moderate root temperature. Drought tolerance is only moderate: an established rose can survive brief dry periods, but repeated flowering and large blooms require a consistent water supply.

Aphrodite is the ancient Greek goddess associated with love, beauty, desire and generative power. The name was therefore an apt commercial choice for a rose whose appeal rests on voluptuous flower form, delicate flesh-pink colouring and a graceful, romantic presentation.

In France, this rose is marketed as 'Laurette Fugain' This name links the rose with the Association Laurette Fugain, founded by Stéphanie Fugain in 2002 in memory of her daughter Laurette, who died from leukaemia. The association supports research into leukaemia and other blood cancers, promotes blood, platelet and bone-marrow donation, and assists patients and their families.

The name has also been used for unrelated roses. These include an older coral-red Hybrid Tea introduced by Walter Easlea & Sons in 1928, a nineteenth-century Gallica associated with Louis Claude Noisette, the yellow florist’s Hybrid Tea 'SUNaphr', and a Tantau florist’s rose 'Foundation' ('TANetidor') which also was marketed under the trade name 'Aphrodite'. The denomination 'TAN00847' is therefore essential when accurate identification is required.

Rose ‘Aphrodite’ has received a substantial group of trial and garden distinctions.

It was awarded a Certificate of Merit at the Belfast Rose Trials in 2008 and was selected as a Gold Standard Rose in Britain in the same year, an assessment that considered health, flowering, scent and commercial garden value.

At the Tollcross International Rose Trials in Glasgow it received a Gold Medal in 2009.

The Royal Horticultural Society granted the cultivar its Award of Garden Merit in 2012. It remains included in the RHS list of recommended ornamental plants under Aphrodite ('TAN00847'), classified there as a shrub rose and rated H6 for hardiness.

In 2013 it was also reported as receiving a Gold Medal in connection with the Deutsche Rosenschau at the Ostdeutscher Rosengarten in Forst, Germany.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Rose variety 'TAN00847'/ 'Aphrodite' was bred in Germany by Hans Jürgen Evers, who directed the Rosen Tantau breeding programme during a period in which the firm developed numerous romantic, very full garden roses. Rosen Tantau introduced the cultivar commercially in 2006, although the internal designation RT 00-847 indicates that the breeding or selection process was already under way around 2000. The exact seed and pollen parents for this rose were never published and remain unknown.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

'TAN00847'/ 'Aphrodite' belongs to the Nostalgie collection. Its large flowers, cutting stems and usual solitary-bloom habit justify placement among Hybrid Teas, while its cupped form, many petals and bushy form explain why the RHS and some British sources classify it as a shrub.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

A refined and reliable modern rose 'TAN00847'/ 'Aphrodite' is distinguished by very full pastel pink flowers warmed with amber or apricot, a compact bushy plant and foliage of generally good health. It offers the visual richness of an old-fashioned cup without abandoning the repeat flowering, firm stems and cutting value expected of a modern Hybrid Tea. This rose variety incorporated the following unique combination of characteristics:

  very full, large cupped to loosely quartered flowers;

  soft pink colouring enriched by warm amber, cream and pale apricot nuances;

  compact, upright-bushy growth suitable for beds, mixed borders and large containers;

  durable petals with comparatively good tolerance of rain and Botrytis damage;

  reliable repeat flowering, useful cutting stems and substantial glossy foliage.

The propagation methods suitable for the rose 'Aphrodite' include shield or chip budding onto an appropriate rose rootstock during summer, or by grafting under controlled nursery conditions. Softwood cuttings may be taken in spring to early summer and semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings later in the season, although rooting success and the mature performance of own-root plants can vary.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

Precise seed and pollen parent documentation for this rose was not officially published therefore, a formal comparison with parents cannot be made.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

Among widely available Tantau roses, 'Augusta Luise' provides the most useful commercial comparison. Both are compact-to-medium nostalgic Hybrid Teas, commonly reaching about 80 - 120 cm, and both produce very large, densely petalled flowers in a romantic rather than strictly exhibition form. They also share warm pink and apricot shades and are suitable for cutting, specimen planting and mixed borders.

'Augusta Luise', however, is usually more dramatically coloured. Its flowers combine apricot, peach, coral, orange and pink, often changing conspicuously with temperature and age. The petals are broadly waved or ruffled, giving the open bloom a flamboyant, mobile outline. Its fragrance is normally much stronger, sweeter and fruitier than that of 'Aphrodite'.

'Aphrodite' is calmer in both colour and form. Its prevailing impression is pastel pink with restrained amber or apricot shading, and its petals build a smoother, deeper cup with a finely packed centre. The scent is generally lighter and more spicy than richly fruity. In design terms, 'Augusta Luise'’ is an emphatic focal rose, while 'Aphrodite' blends more easily with white, lavender, blue, silver-leaved and pale pink companions. 'Aphrodite' is also particularly valued for the durability and weather tolerance of its flowers; 'Augusta Luise' is chosen above all for colour variation and fragrance.

The useful comparison also would be with unrelated Tantau florist’s rose 'Foundation' / 'TANetidor' which also was marketed under the trade name 'Aphrodite'. 'Foundation' / 'TANetidor' was developed principally for cut-flower production and is apricot or apricot-blended, with a less densely filled flower of approximately 17 - 25 petals. 'TAN00847'/ 'Aphrodite', by contrast, is a garden, very full pink-to-amber rose with more than forty petals and often many more, an old-fashioned cupped form and a bushy landscape growth habit. The two should not be treated as sports, parent and offspring, or alternative codes for the same cultivar.

USDA 6

USDA Zone 6 - hardiness guide