W. Kordes' Söhne (en. W. Kordes' Sons) is a German rose breeding company in Klein Offenseth-Sparrieshoop in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The company is one of the world's leading rose breeders and producers for cut roses and garden roses, annually selling worldwide more than two million rose plants at retail and wholesale. Each year, more than 50,000 new crosses of garden roses and cut roses are tested, leading to four to six marketable varieties after a trial period of eight to ten years.

History

Memorial stone for Wilhelm Kordes in Klein Offenseth-Sparrieshoop

Wilhelm Kordes I (born 1865 in Holstein, Germany, died 1935 in Klein Offenseth-Sparrieshoop) was a German horticulturist. In 1887 he created a rose garden in Elmshorn, specializing in growing garden roses. In 1918 he moved the firm to Klein Offenseth-Sparrieshoop in Schleswig-Holstein.

His sons, the breeder Wilhelm Kordes II (born 30 March 1891 in Elmshorn, died 11 November 1976) and Hermann Kordes (1893-1963) changed the name of the expanding company to "Wilhelm Kordes' Söhne". Wilhelm Kordes II's varieties made them one of the biggest rose firms of the twentieth century. His general aim was to breed hardy and healthy varieties for the German climate. After 1920 he concentrated entirely on rose-growing, leaving management to his brother Hermann. By the mid-1930s, the company had grown to considerable size.

[Wilhelm's] experiments focused at first upon the native European species, including Rosa canina, R. rubiginosa, and R. spinosissima: the results include such important shrub roses as 'Harry Maasz' (1939), 'Louis Rödiger' (1935), 'Raubritter' (1936), 'Karl Föster' (1930), and the early-flowering "Frühling" series. He also experimented with the Hybrid Musks such as 'Elmshorn' (1950), 'Erfurt' (1931), and 'Eva' (1933). [His son Reimer later bred 'Iceberg', also a Hybrid Musk.] Hybrid Teas were not neglected: 'Crimson Glory' (1935) had an unusually long reign as the world's favourite crimson rose.[1]

During the Second World War Wilhelm Kordes II crossed the East Asian Rosa wichurana with the Japanese Rosa rugosa eventually to obtain a new species, Rosa kordesii, able to withstand the harsh winters of north Germany. From it he later bred such famous post-war varieties as 'Parkdirektor Riggers,' 'Leverkusen,' Hamburger Phönix' and 'Heidelberg.' "The dark, glossy foliage of many modern roses can be traced back to 'Kordesii'."[1]

Wilhelm Kordes II was also very involved in implementing ADR testing (general testing of new German roses) in 1950, established by the rose breeders in the Federation of German Nurseries.

Above all, it is as a rose breeder than Wilhelm Kordes [II] will be remembered. He and his son Reimer bred some of the world's best-known roses, including 'Crimson Glory' and 'Schneewittchen' ('Iceberg'). Kordes knew that it was through introducing new genes that all the great advances in plant breeding had been achieved. His experiments focused at first upon the native European species and Rosa rugosa; his aim was to develop new bush roses for small gardens.[2]

From 1955, his son Reimer Kordes (February 19, 1922 – 3 February 1997) ran the company until Reimer's son Wilhelm Kordes III (1953-2016) took over in 1977.

Reimer moved on from shrub roses to concentrate on brilliantly coloured Hybrid Teas and Floribundas for private and public gardens. Nevertheless, he introduced roses of every type: large-flowered climbers such as 'Alchymist' (1956) and 'Antike 89' (1988); ground cover roses such as 'Immensee' and 'Sommerwind'; Hybrid Teas including 'Duftzauber 84' (1984) and 'Kupferkönigin' (1996); shrubs such as 'Chiarivari' (1970), 'Lucinde' (1988), and 'Rosenstadt Zweibrücken' (1989); Floribundas such as 'Golden Holstein' (1988) and 'Crimson Bouquet' (1999); and cut-flower roses such as 'Champagner' (1985).[1]

One of the world's best known rose cultivars, 'Iceberg' (syn. 'Schneewittchen') was introduced by Reimer Kordes in 1958. The variety was selected as the "World Favourite Rose" of 1983. Other famous cultivars include 'Sunsprite', and 'Aprikola'.

Sortable list of Kordes rose varieties

NameFormColourDateADR-recognisedPhoto
Adolf Horstmannhybrid teayellow and pink1971
Agnes Bernauerhybrid tealight pink1989
Alchymistbushapricot1956
Alohaclimberapricot and pink2002
Amadeushybrid teadark red2003
Angelabushcarmine pink1984
Ankori (Angelique)hybrid teaorange blend1980
Antike 89floribunda climberwhite blend, red edges1988
Aprikolafloribundayellow-orange to apricot20012001
Asso di Cuorihybrid teadark red1981
Athenahybrid teawhite blend1984
August Kordes (Lafayette)floribundadeep pink1928
Australian Gold (Mona Lisa)floribundaapricot blend1980
Ave Mariahybrid teastrong salmon-orange1981
Bad Birnbachfloribunda, shrubcarmine-pink20002000
Bad Füssingfloribundared1980
Bad Neuenahrbushmid-red1958
Bad Wörishofen (Pink Emely)floribunda, shrubcarmine pink20052003
Ballethybrid teadeep pink1958
Belamihybrid teaorange-pink1985
Bella Rosafloribundastrong pink1982
Bengalifloribundaorange-red1966
Berlinbushred1949
Berolinahybrid teacitron yellow1986
Beverlyhybrid tealight pink1999
Black Boybushdark red1958
Blue Bayoufloribundamauve1993
Blue Girl (Kölner Karneval)hybrid teamauve1964
Blue Riverhybrid teamauve1984
Blühwunderfloribundabright pink to salmon pink19951994
Bonanzabushgolden-yellow, copper edges19831984
Bremer Stadtmusikantenfloribundapink blend2000
Bride's Dream (Märchenkönigin)hybrid tealight pink1985
Burghausenbushbright crimson19911989
Caramellashrubyellow2001
Cerviafloribundaapricot and pink2003
Charmantdwarfstrong pink19992004
Cherry Girlfloribundared2007
Chiarivarishrubyellow blend1971
Christel von der Posthybrid teadeep yellow1990
Colour Wonderhybrid teaorange-red, cream reverse1964
Crimson Bouquetgrandifloradark red1966
Crimson Gloryhybrid teadark red1935
Cubanashrubapricot blend2001
Diamantfloribunda, Shrubwhite20012002
Die Welthybrid teaorange-red1976
Doktor Waldheimhybrid teasalmon pink1973
Dolomitifloribundapink, cream centre2011
Dornröschenschloss Sababurgshrubpink1993
Dortmundclimbercarmine-tinted crimson, white centre19551954
Duftzauberhybrid teadark red1984
Dusterloheclimberdeep pink1931
Eifelzaubershrublight pink2008
Elizahybrid teapink to silver-pink20042005
Elmshornbushcherry red1951
Elveshörnbushbright red1985
Escimominiaturebright white20062006
Esmeraldahybrid teawhite and pink1980
Espritfloribundadark red1985
Evabushcherry1933
Erfurtbushpink, white on a golden base1939
Eurekafloribundaapricot blend2002
Eutinbushcherry1940
Fairest Capehybrid teaapricot, orange shading1994
Fantasia Mondialehybrid teaapricot, salmon-pink edges2006
Fee des Neiges (Iceberg, Schneewittchen)floribundawhite1958
Felicitasbushdark red19981996
Flammentanzsmall shrubcrimson19551952
Flirtfloribunda shrubdeep pink2000
Florentinahybrid teacrimson19731974
Fortunafloribunda, shrubdark red20022002
Fritz Nobisbushbright pink1940
Frühlingsanfangbushbright yellow1950
Frühlingsgoldbushmuted yellow1937
Frühlingsmorgenbushpink-yellow1931
Fuggerstadt Augsburgfloribundaorange-red1985
Funkuhrhybrid teayellow, red edges1984
Gabriele Gebauer (Sunstar)floribundalight yellow2007
Garden of Rosespatio shrubcream, apricot centre2006
Gärtnerfreudeshrub, floribundabright red20012001
Gartenzauberfloribundared1984
Gebrüder Grimmfloribundaorange-red uppers, peach backs20022002
Gelber Engelfloribundabright yellow20022004
Georgettefloribundapink1995
Goldbuschbushcopper1954
Golden Gateclimberbright yellow20052006
Golden Medaillonhybrid teadeep yellow1991
Goldener Holsteinfloribundadeep yellow1988
Goldmariefloribundadeep yellow1982
Goldrauschfloribundayellow1961
Grande Amorehybrid teaintense dark red20042005
Gruss an Bayernfloribundared1971
Hamburgbushdark red1935
Hamburger Deernhybrid teaorange-pink1997
Hamburger PhönixKordesii climberred1954
Hannah Gordon (Tabris)floribundawhite, pink edges1983
Hansa Parkshrubmauve1994
Harlekinclimbercream, red edges1986
Harmoniehybrid teaorange-pink1981
Heidelberghybrid teacarmine-red1959
Harry Maaszhybrid macranthacrimson-violet, white centre1939
Heckenfeuerfloribundared1983
Heidelindefloribundamauve1991
Heinzelmännchenfloribundabright crimson1983
Helmut Schmidthybrid teayellow1979
Herkulesshrubwhite, pink undertones2007
Holsteinfloribundacarmine-red1938
Ilse Krohnbushbright cream and white1957
Ilse Krohn superiorbushbright cream and white1964
Innocenciashrub, floribundabright white20032004
Immenseeshrublight pink1982
Jasminaclimberviolet and pink1997
Juanitashrubpink, carmine pink20072006
Karl Försterbushwhite1931
Karl Herbsthybrid teacarmine red1950
Karl Ploberger Roseshrubyellow, lighter outer petals2007
Kleopatrahybrid teared and yellow1994
Knirpsshrub, ground covercarmine pink19972004
KO 95/1727-03shrubyellow blend2003
KO 98 1552-01floribundayellow1998
KORblixmufloribundawhite2007
Kordes Brilliantshruborange blend1983
Korelasting (Lindenhof)bushbright pink, yellow centre1999
Koronafloribundaorange-red1955
Kupferköniginhybrid teadeep yellow1996
Lady Rosehybrid teaorange-pink1979
Lagunahybrid teadeep pink1995
Larissashrublight pink2007
Las Vegashybrid teaorange, yellow reverse1981
Leverkusenclimberbright yellow1954
Lichtkönigin Luciabushstrong lemon-yellow19661968
Liebeszauberhybrid teadark red1991
Lili Marlenefloribundadark red1959
Lions-Rosefloribundacream-white20022002
Lolitahybrid teaapricot blend1972
Loving Memoryhybrid teared1981
Louis Rödigerclimberpale orange to orange1935
Lucindeshrubdeep yellow1988
Lupominiaturemauve blend2006
Lydiashruborange blend1973
Mabella (New Day)hybrid teayellow1972
Magentabushmauve1954
Maigoldbushorange1952
Mainaufeuer (Red Ribbons)bushred1990
Mandarinminiatureapricot blend1987
Mandyhybrid teadark red1987
Manitaclimberpink, yellow centre19981998
Mariandel (Christian IV)floribundacrimson1982
Marondoshrubpink1991
Maxi Vitafloribunda, shrubdark pink, yellow-orange base20012001
Medeoshrubwhite2001
Mein schöner Gartenshrubpink, salmon-pink1986
Memoirehybrid teawhite1992
Meteorfloribundascarlet19591960
Mireille Mathieufloribundaorange-red1988
Mondialehybrid teaold rose pink1993
Moonlightflorist's roselight yellow2004
Moon Rivershrubwhite1996
NDR1 Radio Niedersachsenfloribundadeep pink1996
Neonfloribunda, shrubcarmine pink20012001
Neue Revuehybrid teared blend1969
Neues Europafloribundascarlet1965
New Dayhybrid teabutter yellow1972
Nicolefloribundawhite, red edges1985
Novalisfloribundalavender2010
Nymphenburgbushbright pink1954
Out of Rosenheimfloribundared2010
Palmengarten Frankfurtshrubcarmine pink19881992
Parkdirektor RiggersKordesii climberhard red1957
Parolehybrid teadeep pink2002
Peer Gynthybrid teayellow, red edges1968
Perfect Momenthybrid teared, yellow reverse1989
Pepitadwarfbright carmine pink20042004
Peter Frankenfeldhybrid teadeep pink1966
Petticoatfloribundawhite, apricot centre20042004
Pink Bassinoshrubpink19951993
Pink Robustashrubpink1987
Planten un Blomenfloribundared, pink reverse1999
Pomponellafloribundadeep pink20052006
Postillionshrubcopper-yellow1998
Prominentfloribundaorange-red19711971
Queen Motherfloribundalight pink19711971
Queen of Heartshybrid teaorange-pink2008
Ramiraclimberpink1988
Raubritterramblerbright pink1936
Raymond Chenaultshrubred1960
Rebellhybrid teared1996
Ritter von Barmstedeshrubpink1959
Rosannaclimbersalmon pink2002
Rosarium UetersenClimberpink1977
Roselinashrubdeep pink1992
Rosenfeefloribundalight pink2006
Rosenprofessor Sieberfloribundapink19971996
RosenresliShrub, bushsalmon-pink19861984
Rosenstadt Zweibrückenshrubpink blend1989
Rosenwunderhybrid rubiginosadeep pink1934
Rosmarinminiaturedeep pink1989
Rote Mozartshruborange-red1989
Roter Korsarbush, shrubdark velvet red2004
Rotillafloribundacrimson2000
Roxyminiatureviolet, red2007
Rugeldabushlemon yellow1989
Saarbrückenshrubscarlet1959
Salitaclimberorange-red1987
Sambafloribundared and yellow1964
Scharlachglutgallicascarlet1952
Schwarze MadonnaKordesii hybrid teadark red1992
Schwarzer SamtKordesii climberdark red1969
Sebastian Kneipphybrijd teawhite1997
Shocking Bluefloribundamauve blend1985
Smart Roadrunnerhybrid rugosadeep pink2002
Solerohybrid teadeep yellow2005
Sommerabendshrub, ground coverbright red19951996
Sommermorgenshrublight pink1983
Sommerwindground cover, floribundapure pink19851987
Sonnenröschendwarf, ground coverwhite, yellow eye20052003
Sparrieshoopbushpink1953
Späths Jubiläumfloribundaorange1953
Speelwarkhybrid teayellow and pink1999
St. Paulipink-yellow1958
Sterntalerhybrid teayellow1995
Sunny Roseshrub, ground coverbright yellow, light yellow20012004
Sunsprite (Friesia)floribundadeep yellow1973
SyltKordesii hybriddark red1980
Sylviahybrid teapink19781977
SympathieKordesii climberdeep scarlet19641966
Tatjanahybrid teadark red1970
Traditionclimberred1995
Träumereibushlobster and salmon orange1974
UNICEF-Rosefloribunda, shrubbright pink20072005
Uetersens Rosenköniginbushorange to mid-red2009
Uetersens Rosenprinzessinbushlight pink2009
Valenciahybrid teaamber-yellow1989
Vogelpark Walsrodebushlight pink19881989
Walter Schultheis
Wedding Bellshybrid teapink2010
Weisse Immenseeshrubwhite1982
Weisse Wolkeclimberwhite1998
Westerlandbushorange to apricot19691974
Wilhelmclimberdark red1934
Wilhelm HansmannKordesii shrubdark red1955
Winter Sunhybrid teayellow2010
Yankee Doodlehybrid teayellow blend1965
Zaideshrubpink2006
Zitronenjettehybrid teayellow1964
Zwergenfeeminiaturered orange1978
Zwergköniginminiaturepink1979

References

  1. 1 2 3 Charles & Brigid Quest-Ritson, The RHS Encyclopedia of Roses, Dorling Kindersley, 2003, p 221. ISBN 978-1-4053-3511-9.
  2. Charles Quest-Ritson, Climbing Roses of the World, Timber Press, 2003, pp 195–6. ISBN 0-88192-563-2.

Bibliography

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