Rose Gräfin Diana

‘Gräfin Diana’ is an exceptionally fragrant modern Hybrid Tea that combines the dramatic colouring of a dark crimson-purple rose with the fuller, softer flower architecture increasingly favoured in twenty-first-century breeding. Its violet-black buds unfold into densely petalled flowers of velvety purple-red, burgundy and wine-red, while an elaborate perfume of rose, fruit, citrus, honey and earthy notes gives the cultivar much of its individuality. Unlike many highly scented Hybrid Teas of earlier generations, it was also selected for strong foliage health and subsequently passed the demanding German ADR trial. The plant is upright, moderately vigorous and accumulated an unusually substantial record of fragrance and garden-performance awards.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

‘Gräfin Diana’, represents a particularly interesting direction in modern Hybrid Tea breeding: the flower is sufficiently large, erect and individually presented to retain the classic cutting-rose character of the class, yet it is much more densely petalled and less rigidly high-centred than many twentieth-century exhibition Hybrid Teas. Fully opened flowers acquire a broad, somewhat cupped to flattened form with a rich internal arrangement of petals and petaloids, giving them a romantic quality closer to some old-fashioned or contemporary nostalgic roses.

Colour is one of the cultivar’s chief identifying features, it is somewhere between deep purple-red, burgundy, violet-red or wine-purple. The pointed buds can appear almost black in subdued light because their outer surfaces contain very dark greyed-purple tones. As the flower expands, cooler purple and violet tones become visible in the outer petals while the centre frequently retains somewhat warmer red-purple shades. With age, the overall tonality moves further towards purple and this changing colour gives a mature plant considerable depth, since dark buds, newly opened purple-red flowers and older violet-toned blooms may be present simultaneously.

The second defining quality is perfume. ‘Gräfin Diana’ is an important part of its trial history and subsequent selection for the PARFUMA collection. The combination of strong fragrance, rich colour and better-than-average foliage health distinguishes it from older dark Hybrid Teas in which one of these traits was frequently achieved at the expense of another. Its ADR recognition is especially relevant in this respect because the German testing system gives considerable weight to plant health and overall garden performance rather than flower beauty alone. The cultivar consequently has value not only for collectors of perfume roses but for gardeners seeking the formal presence of a Hybrid Tea without accepting the extreme disease susceptibility historically associated with some highly scented cultivars.

FLOWERING

Rose ‘Gräfin Diana’ is a repeat flowering variety which blooms from early summer into autumn. Established plants produce flowers repeatedly through the growing season, but abundant flushes followed by shorter periods of vegetative renewal are normal, particularly in climates with cold winters. Its main first flush is usually the most abundant because many overwintered or newly formed basal and lateral shoots flower within a similar period. Deadheading or cutting flowers with adequate foliage left below the cut encourages the next cycle. Warm, fertile conditions may shorten the interval between flushes, whereas drought, excessive summer heat, nutrient stress or severe defoliation can produce a more obvious pause. Because flowers are predominantly solitary, the overall effect is more of a sequence of individually important, dark, highly perfumed flowers distributed through an upright bushy plant.

Flower bud:

The bud is medium-sized and pointed-ovoid, approximately 2.5 cm long and 2 cm broad when beginning to open. This comparatively compact but sharply defined bud is among the cultivar’s ornamental strengths. Before the sepals separate, its colouring is very dark greyed-purple; at approximately one-quarter open, the petal surfaces combine deep red-purple and greyed-purple pigments. In cool weather or subdued light this concentration of pigment may make the bud look almost black, although genetically and botanically it is better described as extremely dark violet-red or purple rather than truly black.

There are five sepals, averaging approximately 3 - 4 cm long and 1.2 - 1.4 cm wide. Three normally carry large foliaceous appendages. Their outer surfaces are yellow-green, while the upper surfaces are greener; pubescence occurs on the inner side and numerous stalked glands are recorded on the outer surfaces and margins. Peduncles are substantial, normally about 5 - 7 cm long and 4 - 5 mm in diameter, smooth but furnished with numerous stipitate glands. They are very strong and hold the flowers upright - an important characteristic in a rose intended to display relatively heavy, full blooms.

Bloom:

The opened flowers of the rose variety ‘Gräfin Diana’ are medium to large sizes, the average diameter of the flower is approximately 9 - 10 cm (3.5 - 4 in) and about 5 - 5.5 cm (2 in) deep. The flower is very double to full, with approximately 65 - 70 true petals under normal conditions, in addition to some petaloids forming near the reproductive centre. This is considerably fuller than the sparse or moderately double high-centred Hybrid Tea flower traditionally associated with the class. The flower is initially convex from the side and becomes broader and more open as it matures. Rather than maintaining an exaggerated conical centre throughout its life, it develops a flattened-convex to shallowly concave lower profile, creating the substantial, almost rosette-like appearance. Flowers are most often borne singly on the stem, although two or three buds may occasionally occur together. This solitary presentation, strong peduncle and substantial flower make the cultivar useful for cutting as well as garden display.

The colour is complex and quite unique in Hybrid Teas. Outer petals may open in dark greyed-purple and deep violet-purple, whereas inner petals contain richer red-purple. As the bloom matures, the outer zones become somewhat lighter and more clearly purple while the centre can retain stronger wine-red or magenta-red tones. The patent records Red-Purple Group 61A as the general tonality of an open flower, with later ageing towards Purple Group N79C. Occasional narrow white markings may occur on individual inner petals, but these are incidental rather than a defining variegation.

The individual flowers are capable of remaining effective for approximately three to four days on the plant under the conditions, and for about three days as cut flowers. These figures should not be treated as universal vase-life limits: temperature, maturity at cutting and post-harvest handling have major effects. Spent petals typically fall off cleanly after the flowers are spent.

Petals:

The number of petals is approximately 65 - 70, they are broadly obovate, approximately 2.5 - 4.0 cm (2 - 2.7 in) in both length and width, with an obtuse apex, attenuate base and generally entire margins. Their surface is smooth and of medium substance rather than exceptionally thin or papery. As the flower expands, the petals reflex moderately, softening the initially compact outline.

Petal arrangement is informal, although the erect stems and pointed buds of ‘Gräfin Diana’ identify it immediately as a Hybrid Tea, the mature bloom is less geometrically arranged than a classic exhibition rose. Approximately 18 - 20 petaloids may also occur around the centre. These smaller structures range from oval to spatulate and can have irregular or indented margins, contributing to the dense, somewhat romantic centre of the flower.

The colour has relatively good depth through the first days of bloom. In bright summer conditions some roses in the purple-red range bleach rapidly, but ‘Gräfin Diana’ tends instead to progress from dark burgundy-purple towards clearer violet and red-purple tones. Temperature nevertheless affects pigment expression: cooler conditions usually intensify anthocyanin colour, while strong heat can make the interior appear brighter and more magenta.

Fragrance:

The fragrance of ‘Gräfin Diana’ is exceptionally important in this cultivar and is strong to very strong. Kordes’ detailed perfume profile defines it as a classical Old rose at its core, enlivened by citrus and deeper rose-geranium notes. Litchi contributes a bright fruity accent, joined by elderflower, peach and mirabelle-like plum nuances. Beneath these is a sweeter honeyed foundation with delicate earthy tones. The resulting perfume is floral and fruity, yet retains sufficient traditional rose character to remain recognisable.

The maximum scent intensity is observed around midday and again in the evening. As with basically all fragrant roses, actual perception changes with temperature, humidity, flower age and time of day. A recently opened bloom under warm, moderately humid conditions can therefore smell much richer than the same flower in cold wind or extreme midday heat. The cultivar’s repeated success in fragrance competitions supports the conclusion that its strong scent is a genuine and reproducible characteristic rather than a purely promotional description.

Reproductive parts:

There are approximately 65 stamens per flower present, they are regularly arranged, with anthers about 2 mm long and pollen generally present. Filaments are medium sized, about 9 mm long. Approximately 40 pistils are observed in the flowers of this rose; their stigmas sit slightly above the level of the anthers, with styles roughly 10 mm long. Much of these reproductive organs are partially concealed by the very high petal and petaloid count.

PLANT

Rose variety ‘Gräfin Diana’, is botanically classified as Rosa hybrida and horticulturally as a Hybrid Tea rose, or large-flowered shrub rose. ‘Gräfin Diana’ is an upright to bushy Hybrid Tea of moderate to good vigour. Dimensions vary considerably among climates and growing conditions, illustrating how strongly climate, rootstock and pruning influence modern roses. The mature and well established plants of this rose typically reach about 100 - 120 cm (3.3 - 4 ft) in height and 60 - 90 cm (2 - 3 ft) in width, while stronger plants capable of exceeding this under favourable conditions.

For best performance it should be grown in full sun in fertile, humus-rich but well-drained soil. In very hot continental climates, some protection from the fiercest late-afternoon heat can help prolong the exceptionally dark flowers, but persistent heavy shade is undesirable because it weakens flowering and slows foliage drying. Where summers are humid or black spot pressure is high, generous air circulation is more useful than very close mass planting.

Annual pruning follows normal Hybrid Tea practice. In cool temperate climates, prune after the severest winter weather but before strong spring growth begins. Remove dead, damaged and weak crossing wood first, then shorten sound shoots to produce an open, balanced plant. Established plants may be cut relatively severely when long cutting stems and large flowers are wanted; somewhat lighter pruning produces a larger shrub with more flowering canes. Throughout summer, spent blooms can be cut back to a healthy outward-facing leaf. Regular mulching, spring feeding and adequate water during bud formation materially improve flower size and rebloom.

In colder regions the plant benefits from autumn mulching over the crown and, on grafted specimens, protection of the graft union. Avoid heavy nitrogen feeding late in summer because soft late growth is more vulnerable to frost. The cultivar is particularly useful near paths, terraces and entrances, where its perfume can be encountered closely, and it performs well in dedicated rose beds, mixed borders and cutting gardens. The RHS also lists it for city and courtyard gardens and cottage-style planting.

Foliage:

The foliage is abundant enough to clothe the upright framework effectively and was one of the traits deliberately selected during breeding. Mature leaves are dark green, the upper surface is darker, near RHS green group 139A and the lower surface is lighter, yellow-green group 147B. The normal leaves in the middle of the flowering stem are approximately 15 cm long by 11 cm wide.

The upper surface is semi-glossy and smooth, while the underside is matte and likewise smooth. Young foliage may show intense greyed-purple anthocyanin pigmentation, providing a reddish-purple cast to developing shoots before they mature to green. This juvenile colouring harmonises especially well with the dark flower buds and gives the plant ornamental value even before the first bloom opens.

Leaflets:

The normal leaf in the middle of the flowering stems usually consist of five leaflets in an odd-pinnate arrangement. The terminal leaflet averages to about 7.5 cm (3 in) by 5 cm (2 in) and is elliptic in shape, with an obtuse base, apiculate apex and finely serrated margins, the type of serration is single and large. The venation pattern is reticulate, forming the characteristic network of a modern garden rose leaflet.

The petiole averages approximately 2.5 cm long and 3 mm in diameter. Its margins possess numerous stalked glands, and small prickles occur underneath. The rachis is approximately 2.0 cm long, usually smooth, with limited stipitate glands and occasional small prickles around leaflet attachment points. Stipules measure approximately 2.2 cm by 5 mm, are winged at the base and apiculate at the tip, and may also show occasional small prickles beneath.

Wood:

The young and mature stems are medium green, often with greyed-purple pigmentation, especially on younger growth. Young shoots have a relatively smooth surface; older canes become rougher with maturity. Growth is upright but not unnaturally rigid, branching sufficiently to form a well-branched bush rather than a collection of isolated exhibition stems.

The combination of strong peduncles and moderately vigorous canes allows the plant to carry its heavy flowers upright. Gardeners who want cutting stems should preserve several vigorous basal canes each year and remove very old or congested wood gradually. On a mature specimen, selective renewal encourages both structural strength and repeat flowering.

Prickles:

The large prickles are present on the main canes as well as on the laterals from the main canes, and the cultivar should not be regarded as lightly armed. The normal cane of this rose has an average of approximately ten prickles per 10 cm of the stem length, with an average length of the prickle of about 8 mm. They are quite large and concave in shape. The young prickles are dark greyed-purple, becoming greyed-orange to tan-brown as they mature.

This density is worth considering when locating the rose immediately beside a narrow path or frequently used seating area. Gloves are advisable for pruning and tying. The reddish-purple young prickles, however, visually integrate with the anthocyanin colouring of young stems and foliage and are not especially noticeable from a distance.

Small prickles:

The smaller prickles are present on the main canes, on the laterals from the main canes and on the peduncles. The smaller prickles can also be found on the leaf structures, on the underside of the petiole and rachis, typically near leaflet attachments, and occasional prickles may occur beneath the stipules. The small prickles are very similar in colour as the large prickles they are only smaller in size.

Disease resistance and stress tolerance:

The disease resistance is one of the ‘Gräfin Diana’s important qualities, but it requires a nuanced description. In normal growing conditions it has excellent resistance to black spot and powdery mildew, with good capacity for regeneration; more significantly for European gardens, it received the ADR designation in 2014 after independent German testing.

Rust is a different matter. Kordes specifically rates the cultivar as more susceptible to rose rust than to black spot or mildew, so growers in climates where rust is recurrent should provide good air movement, avoid persistently wet foliage and remove infected fallen leaves. Furthermore, the RHS red-rose trial of 2021–2024 recorded ‘Royal Parfuma’ (‘KORdiagraf’) as producing huge plants with good fragrance and without severe defoliation, but judges nevertheless considered disease levels too high for a full AGM. This apparent contradiction with the ADR and patent data illustrates environmental interaction rather than invalidating either trial: disease behaviour can change markedly with climate, pathogen populations, soil and cultural conditions.

‘Gräfin Diana’ is rated reasonably winter hardy, and is recommended for growing in climates similar to USDA zones 5b through 9a. The RHS assigns the cultivar hardiness rating H6, corresponding approximately to winter minima of −20 to −15 °C (−4 to 5 °F). Thus, it is notably hardy for a modern Hybrid Tea, although protection of the crown and graft union remains sensible in exposed continental gardens and wherever winter temperatures regularly fall below this range.

The German name ‘Gräfin Diana’ means “Countess Diana”. The rose honours Diana Gräfin Bernadotte af Wisborg of the Bernadotte family associated with the island of Mainau in Lake Constance. Kordes states that the cultivar was named for Countess Diana in connection with her birthday, and Mainau itself records that the rose was christened together with Diana Gräfin Bernadotte. Contemporary accounts associate the naming with her thirtieth birthday in 2012.

The experimental number ‘KO 03/1643-02’ belongs to its development within the Kordes breeding programme and reflects the 2003 breeding generation.

Different markets have used different selling names. The official ADR record lists ‘Burgundy Panarosa’ for South Africa, ‘Comtesse Diana’ in France, ‘Dark Desire’ in Australia and the United States, ‘Mme de Montespan’ in France, and ‘Royal Parfuma’ in the United Kingdom. ‘Madame de Montespan’ is a fully written form of the French “Mme de Montespan” usage. The name ‘Dark Desire’ particularly emphasises the nearly black buds and sensuous fragrance, while ‘Royal Parfuma’ links the cultivar directly with Kordes’ fragrance-oriented PARFUMA marketing.

‘Gräfin Diana’ has received an unusually extensive series of horticultural and fragrance distinctions and awards.

In 2013, at Geneva, Switzerland, it received an award for special qualities.

In 2014 it received the German ADR designation, ADR number 1114, the official recognition year being 2014. This date is confirmed by the ADR authority.

In 2015 it received the fragrance prize at Belfast, Northern Ireland. In the same year at the International Contest of New Roses in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic, it won the ladies’ competition for the most beautiful rose fragrance.

In 2016 it received a Bronze Medal and the fragrance prize at the Adelaide rose trials in Australia. At Hradec Králové it achieved the principal Golden Rose of Hradec Králové award, making it the overall leading cultivar of that year’s international trial.

In 2017 the Deutsche Rosengesellschaft, then known as the Gesellschaft Deutscher Rosenfreunde, selected ‘Gräfin Diana’ as its Rose of the Year.

In 2018 it received the French Grand Prix de la Rose, including first prize in the large-flowered category. At The Hague in the Netherlands it received a Bronze Medal and the fragrance prize. It also received an Excellence Rose distinction in the Netherlands/Belgium evaluation programme.

Taken together, these awards are particularly significant because they encompass several different judging priorities: scent, large-flowered ornamental quality, general garden performance and disease resistance.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Rose variety ‘KORdiagraf’ / 'Gräfin Diana' was bred by Tim-Hermann Kordes within the W. Kordes’ Söhne breeding programme at Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. The controlled cross was made during the summer of 2003. Seeds were germinated during the following winter, and the future rose was selected from the resulting seedlings in May 2004. Its first recorded asexual propagation was by budding in July 2004. After years of evaluation it was introduced commercially by W. Kordes’ Söhne in 2012.

Some commercial rose databases give the parentage as ‘Chartreuse de Parme’ × (‘Esther Geldenhuys’ × unnamed seedling). This pedigree could not be confirmed from primary breeder documentation and conflicts with the U.S. plant patent for ‘KORdiagraf’, in which Tim-Hermann Kordes identifies both immediate parents as unnamed seedlings. The patent record should therefore be preferred when stating the cultivar’s documented immediate parentage.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

Modern European breeding has increasingly attempted to reconcile classic Hybrid Tea flower quality with healthier foliage, repeat bloom and stronger fragrance. ‘KORdiagraf’ / 'Gräfin Diana' is representative of this change. Its upright stems and largely solitary flowers retain the basic Hybrid Tea identity, but mature bloom is much fuller and more informal than the archetypal sharply high-centred rose. Its 2014 ADR recognition is especially noteworthy because relatively few large-flowered, strongly scented Hybrid Teas satisfy the same health standards as the best modern landscape Floribundas and shrubs. Within that context, ‘Gräfin Diana’ is one of the darker-coloured representatives of the PARFUMA programme by Kordes: rather than soft pink, cream or apricot, it delivers intense purple-red pigmentation together with an elaborate perfume and comparatively robust foliage.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

Rose ‘KORdiagraf’ / 'Gräfin Diana' is a distinctive modern Hybrid Tea in which unusually dark violet-red colouring, full flowers, strong perfume and substantial plant health occur together. This rose variety incorporated the following unique combination of characteristics:

  Deep violet-red to burgundy-purple, very double flowers opening from exceptionally dark pointed buds;

  powerful, complex fragrance combining classical rose, citrus, litchi, stone-fruit, honey and earthy nuances;

  repeat flowering on a strong, upright Hybrid Tea plant with resistance to black spot and powdery mildew and ADR recognition;

  good winter hardiness for the class, with documented cultivation through USDA zone 5b and an RHS H6 rating.

The propagation methods suitable for the rose cultivar ‘Gräfin Diana’ include asexual propagation, initially by budding, and from cuttings and by grafting.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

The unnamed seed parent had lavender-pink flowers and poor disease resistance, whereas ‘KORdiagraf’ / 'Gräfin Diana'’ produced much darker violet-red flowers and demonstrated excellent disease resistance in the breeder’s evaluations.

The unnamed pollen parent has semi-double flowers produced in clusters; ‘KORdiagraf’ / 'Gräfin Diana', by contrast, is very double and generally carries a single flower per stem. These distinctions show that selection emphasised not merely a darker colour but a coordinated shift towards dense petal count, classical large-flowered presentation and stronger garden health.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

Among commercially available strongly scented purple-toned Hybrid Teas, the French Delbard cultivar ‘Chartreuse de Parme’ (‘DELviola’) provides a particularly meaningful comparison. Both produce large, repeat-flowering flowers in the violet, plum and red-purple spectrum, both are strongly perfumed, both grow as manageable upright bushes, and both are valued for cutting as well as garden display. ‘Chartreuse de Parme’ remains in European nursery commerce and is commonly described at approximately 80–100 cm in height, with large double violet-plum to cerise-purple flowers and an exceptionally intense fruity-citrus perfume.

‘Gräfin Diana’ is generally darker and more burgundy-red. Its bud is especially distinctive, beginning as a nearly black-looking greyed-purple point before unfolding through red-purple to violet. ‘Chartreuse de Parme’ usually reads as clearer violet, lilac-purple or cerise-plum and therefore gives a brighter, cooler impression from a distance. ‘Gräfin Diana’ also has fuller flowers, producing an exceptionally dense, informal centre; ‘Chartreuse de Parme’ is very double as well, but often preserves a somewhat more recognisably large-flowered Hybrid Tea form.

In plant habit, ‘Gräfin Diana’ is generally taller and more substantial, usually around 100 - 120 cm under ordinary garden conditions, with strong flower stems and occasional development beyond this range. ‘Chartreuse de Parme’ is normally more compact, around 80 - 100 cm, making it somewhat easier to accommodate in a smaller fragrance bed or container. Both repeat flowering well and both are excellent choices near a path or seating area, but ‘Gräfin Diana’ has the advantage of formal ADR recognition and documented modern selection for foliage health. ‘Chartreuse de Parme’, conversely, remains an exceptional choice where the priority is an unmistakably purple flower and an intensely exotic perfume.

USDA 6

USDA Zone 6 - hardiness guide