I would go with Earthkind, if only because I've grown several of those roses and know how good they are. Also, these roses have been tested in the U.S. and, Kordes, coming from Germany, may be better in a northern climate, but that's only speculation on my part since I haven't grown any of them. I'm sure you'll have responses from people who have grown the Kordes roses.

Ingrid

Well, it all depends. If a Kordes rose has ADR certificate it is a pretty sure bet. A lot depends on the area you grow the roses. For example, here in my coastal hell Laguna, Cinderella fairy tale and Floral Fairy tale - all advetised as having good bs resistance but don't have ADR certificate - are healthier than the Earthind Duchesse de Brabant. Belinda's dream does well in summer but the blooms ball too often to qualify for me as 'earthkind'. YMMV.

I like to check out the roses on Kordes website. By doing so, you can also check each cultivar for fragrance, disease resistance etc. You can click on details of each rose which brings up a legend with a listing of fragrance, disease resistance etc. But, as mentioned by Ingrid, and certum, I'm sure disease resistance can be quite different in one area as opposed to another. I live where black spot reins supreme, so it is critical for me to either be a vigilant sprayer, or choose my roses very wisely. The newer Kordes roses have shown to be disease resistant, as are some of the older ADR varieties. Could it be that new roses on the market are disease resistant for a time?

Here is a link that might be useful: Kordes Rosen

Denise, some of the testing for determining the EarthKind roses was done right here in the Dallas area. You can not go wrong with those roses for here in Dallas. I especially recommend:

Duchesse de Brabant - smells great, really! Nice foliage. Nice cupped bloom form, like in a old painting.
Spice - only a light scent to my nose, but a flawless performer here. Incredible blooms in spring ... just okay blooms in summer.
Caldwell Pink - no scent, great health
Ducher - I don't grow it, but those that do love it
Carefree Beauty - not much scent, but very tough & floriferous
Madame Antoine Mari - unmatched color, very delicate appearance. Nice light scent. Great plant form.
Marie Daly - blooms all the time, fragrance carries on the breeze
Perle d'Or - don't grow it, wish I did. A charmer.
Mutabulis - also don't grow it, but would if I have room for its large size.
Georgetown Tea - don't grow it, but it sure is nice looking and, well, it's a true tea, so it's gotta be good.

Randy

I grow an older Kordes floribunda called Eutin which is quite disease-resistant as long as it is grown in at least 6 hours of sun.

Some Kordes roses have better disease-resistance than others. Why don't you research them and mention a couple specific names here on the forum to see what kind of feedback you get. The best test would be actually growing some in your garden and then assess how they are doing. If you are feeling a little adventurous, why not try a couple? If they turn out to be duds, you can easily replace them, after all.

Kate

Denise,

I'm not in your area, but there are definitely roses that will do VERY well in your area that are neither on the Earthkind list nor are Kordes. I think you might want to post a question for disease resistant/disease free roses in the DFW area...post this on the Antique Rose forum. I bet you'll get some great recommendations for Teas (not hybrid teas), Noisettes, Chinas, and some Hybrid Musks. Then, go from there.

Robert

Kordes does have some great roses, but not all are ADR varieties. As said, ADR is tested in N European conditions. Earthkinds is tested in conditions much more similar to Dallas. So Dublin is correct: find a specific variety that interests you, then research the forums, and maybe query the forum. I have found my rose tastes have evolved over the years, so its always a work in progress.

Thanks so much for your input. And Randy, thanks tons for the specific recommendations. I've made several trips to Northaven Nursery already this season. I was shocked (and in heaven) to see their great selection of Earthkind roses and antique roses,not to mention every other kind of rose. Where have I been??? Can't believe I just found this nursery!

Kate, you're right, I'm just going to try a few and see what happens. It's truly a never-ending work in progress--but that's the fun of it!

Thanks again you guys!
Denise

You know I grow almost everyone, if not all, of the Earthkind roses on Randy's list and something I have found is that some of them take about 3 years in my garden to get to the point they are really blackspot-resistant and even blackspot-resistant if stressed, they will develop some but it does not affect the plant's performance.

I am glad that Marie Pavie is not listed among the Earthind roses. I have two and both have spot problems as soon as late March.

Perle d'Or, on the other hand is clean. I have Spice as a band from Vintage, I wait to see what this rose will do in this humid climate.

Just because I have to say it: Disease resistance does not include resistance to the disease called Rose Rosette.

Earthkinds did great for me in Dallas! Then I moved & got Marie Pavie-- when I ordered her, I expected her to be as healthy as Perle d'Or or better. She's not. However I left her in a pot in a spot where every air current stirs her leaves, sun hits her first thing in the am. In a pot, she's a keeper, but I wouldn't put her in the ground among the others where there's less direct sun for fewer hours. I am about to try a FEW ADR roses but am still working my way down the Earthkind list, due to great results with them both in Dallas and here in hot humid coastal South.