Rose Mme Knorr

‘Madame Knorr’ was bred by Philippe-Victor Verdier in Paris and introduced in 1855, a time when Portland roses were falling out of fashion due to the rising popularity of their descendants, the Hybrid Perpetuals.

The rose variety ‘Mme Knorr’ belongs to the group of Portland roses.

Portland roses are a small class of roses with unknown origins. It is believed their lineage traces back to Gallica and Autumn Damask roses. Specifically, their remontant (repeat-flowering) nature comes from Autumn Damask roses. However, not every Portland rose exhibits strong repeat flowering.

Characteristics of the Rose

The rose forms a small plant, reaching about 100 cm in height and about 90 cm in width, armed with numerous relatively weak yet sharp prickles.

‘Madame Knorr’ produces beautiful, rich pink blooms that are frequently mentioned in international catalogs and are highly popular as cut flowers due to their straight stems. The flowers have perfectly arranged petals, deep pink in the centre with paler shades on the edges and on the outer surfaces. They are large, peony-shaped (26–40 petals), highly fragrant, and can produce decorative rose hips after blooming. It is worth noting that the fragrance of the rose can vary significan belong to Category 4 - Strong, while in the afternoon, it might shift to Category 1 - Slight. The richly pink, rosette-shaped blooms start rounded but flatten as they open, reaching up to 12 cm in diameter. The sepals have somewhat a resinous aroma.

The foliage consists of 3 to 5 pinnate leaflets. The foliage is medium-green, matte with pointed, oval-shaped, finely serrated, and smooth leaflets. The rose blooms profusely once in early summer, with occasional scattered flowers appearing until autumn.

Growing Conditions

‘Madame Knorr’ thrives in full sun and requires at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and abundant flowering. While it can tolerate partial shade, reduced light levels may lead to weaker flowering and even softer stems. Full sun significantly improves the plant’s health and strength. Although the rose is adaptable to varying levels of light, prolonged shading can impact its vitality and flowering capacity. It is best planted in open areas that receive plenty of sunlight throughout the day.

This rose adapts well to various soil types but grows best in slightly acidic soil that is fertile, loose, and well-drained. When planting in a garden, choose a location on elevated ground with ample sunlight, good air circulation, and slightly acidic soil.

Winter hardiness and Health

The hardiness zone for ‘Mme Knorr’ ranges from climate zones similar to USDA 6b and warmer. While generally healthy, it may develop powdery mildew, black spot, or, less frequently, rust toward the end of the growing season.

‘Madame Knorr’ produces stunning fresh flowers that are exquisite in bouquets. This old rose remains a favorite due to its double blooms and exceptionally fragrant flowers.

It is possible that the rose was named after Henriette Knorr (1828–?), née Ziegenmeyer, the first wife of Carl Heinrich Knorr (1800–1875), founder of the Knorr food company.

Another theory suggests it was named after the Austrian poet and writer Josephine von Knorr (1827–1908), though this is less certain.

AGM 1993

The parentage of this rose is not known.

USDA 6 and warmer