It is still there Jim.

I see it on my posting but only after I post something. Can't find it anywhere else, not even when you start a new post. So how do you just get on it without doing that?

What I do is look at the very top of every page: There is a line that reads

Welcome! YOUR PROFILE or LOG OUT

I click on YOUR PROFILE and log in to edit my profile. Hope that helps you.

I'm a big fan of Kordes but cannot find your post! Go ahead & put it out here where everybody can find it. Here's a hybridizer/grower that quit spraying their fields years ago; they don't market agressively directly in this market so many of their wonderful roses go quietly undiscovered-- or there are only a very few sources, as with their Fairy Tale series.

Same here--a big fan who can't find the post. Please make it a message here so we can all read it.

Thanks,

Colleen

Huh? Is there a discussion going on here about Kordes roses? Am I the only one who's confused?

It's all my fault. I started wanting to talk about my 50 or so K's then concluded that would be too long for a post so I then decided to put it on My Page. Well low and behold I couldn't find MP. Hence this thread. And now I found MP.

But I've decided to wait another season.

However now that I've wetted an appetite I'll make a few comments.

I agree that K's are badly neglected particularly those hybridized by Wilhelm starting sometime in the late 30's. They are neglected, it seems to have something to do with marketing rights and J&P. Which restricts Kordes from freely distributing to others.

Well for whatever reason they are mainly available from Canadian sources, mainly Hortico, then Pickering and lately a new vendor, Palatine.

I chose them since my early experience with a couple, Robusta and Elmshorn were so good compared to others, like all 9 of my Austins died and so with a number of Explorers. As you can see my garden is not a healthy place for roses so it needs something special. I'm working on that and now am going to try more iron this spring as my iron tests low.

So other Kordes I find exceptional: Alchymist, Fritz Nobis, Rosarium Uetersen, Antike 89, Morgengruss, Eutin, Lavender Lassie, Westerland, Wilhelm, Hansaland and some others than at the moment I can't recall.

I will list them all on MP the winners as well as the losers.

I have several Ks. All of them are outstanding. But there are many others, including Austins that are doing very well here. I love the variety of having some of this and some of that.

Mike

I love my Illusion!
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Wow, what an Illusion! Jim, would you describe Antike 89 please? I almost ordered it from Vintage but thought the color might be harsh. Do you have pictures? I'm getting several Kordes roses this spring...Rosarium Uetersen, Alchymist, and Freisinger Morgenrote.
Linda

Jim, I realy debated getting Elveshorn and Elmshorn. Could you please tell me anything about these two. I have in the back of my mind that they are prone to mildew? Maybe I am wrong. Also how hardy is Elmshorn? Do you winter protect it. I think I looked into the rose when you (I think it was you) posted that you were so frustrated with roses but that this rose was doing ok compared to others. These two roses have been on my list on and off . For all your past posts,pics and information on roses. THANKS!!! Amy

First of all Elmshorn is very hardy, I never winter protect. Never seen mildew or BS. One great thing about it it dead heads itself. And it flowers nonstop. Elveshorn is another story. Not nearly as vigorus in fact one of my 4 is barely alive.

I wish my Illusion grew like that. I've had mine for at least 4 years and is getting better but is stuggling.

Antique 89 is very vigorous, it's flowers are not at all harsh mostly a light pinkish white redder toward the edges. Nice form.

Jim, Good to know, will add to Hortico order. Helpmefind lists Elmshorn at hardy to zone 6b. I love HMF and use them a lot, but they underestimate how hardy some things are.
Thank you very much!!!

Another source of Kordes roses for those further south is Roses Unlimited. Pat & Bill sell 1-gallon own-roots. Their 2008 catalog lists 30 Kordes roses ranging in date from 1930 (Catherine Kordes) to 2005 (Golden Fairy Tale). However RU isn't offering those wonderful old shrubs--Alchymist, Fritz Nobis, Fruhlingsmorgen. Some of the once-bloomers prefer a winter dormant period which they don't really get in z8 & above. I miss them.

Thanks, Jim...maybe I need to keep Antike 89 on my order.
Linda

Yes I can't believe HMF's hardiness ratings. Often they will say Z7 or higher for a rose I've grown in 5 for years.

A number of K's I grow are no longer available anywhere in N. America. Thank God for Hortico even if they once in awhile get things mixed up.

Another European hybridizer that is even more neglected is Tantau. I've lately began to try their roses. A recent one of note is Bernstein rose, Bernstein is the German word for Amber.

If any of you Kordes folks have Marlena I would desperately love to have a cutting!!!! I have Lili Marlene--absolutely glorious red, and does wonderfully. Also have Magenta and Rosarium Uetersen, neither of which is doing well. Have had others--generally they do well for me, but aren't my favorites except for Lili Marlene.

Magenta is absolutely the worst K ever. I've had 3 and the last I looked only 1 is still "there". It is very lovely and very fragrant.

Now on the other hand RU has done well.

We just love our hardy yellow climber, Leverkusen. I'm eyeing the new Kordes climbers, etc. at Palatyne for next year. I'm hoping to hear some zone 5 progress reports on them this spring!

Ruth