GARTENPRINZESSIN MARIE-JOSÉ ® – pink bedding floribunda rose – Kordes
Fragrant and richly double, GARTENPRINZESSIN MARIE-JOSÉ ® brings classic, raspberry‑pink colour to compact beds and borders with a naturally upright habit that fits perfectly into small family gardens. Bred by Kordes and ADR‑certified, it offers modern, reliable disease resistance and very strong, all‑day scent, so you enjoy characterful cottage‑style impact without complicated care routines. As an own‑root plant it settles securely, building a long‑lived bush that copes steadily with wetter, breezier spells and thoughtful watering in drier periods. Expect a gentle development from root establishment in the first season to fuller top growth in the second, reaching its complete ornamental potential by around the third year.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front garden bed by the path |
Its compact, upright floribunda habit (around 70–90 cm) keeps paths tidy while still giving generous clusters of raspberry-pink blooms. Strong fragrance is noticeable as you pass, and ADR-backed disease resistance keeps foliage attractive without intensive spraying – ideal for busy beginners. |
| Small cottage-style mixed border |
Very double, pompon-style flowers in a rich, traditional pink blend naturally with perennials such as coneflowers and crocosmia, giving a soft cottage effect in a modest space. Continuous remontant flowering means colour returns through summer with simple deadheading – well suited to style-conscious homeowners. |
| Around-the-house ornamental strip |
Its neat spread of 40–60 cm and dense, glossy foliage create a well-dressed base along walls or fences without overwhelming windows or doors. Good tolerance of partial shade allows planting in aspects where the house casts shadow, maintaining reliable flowering for urban gardeners. |
| Low-maintenance rose bed with repetition |
Planted at the recommended distances, this variety forms a regular, harmonious bed with repeating raspberry-pink cushions. ADR certification and resistance to black spot, mildew and rust reduce the need for chemical treatments, giving a stable, long-term display for time-pressed families. |
| Feature rose near seating or terrace |
The very strong, clearly noticeable fragrance is ideal beside a bench or patio, where you can enjoy the scent at close quarters. Clustered medium blooms repeat in waves through the season, so there is usually something in flower to appreciate for relaxed evenings. |
| Large container on patio or balcony |
In a substantial container of at least 40–50 litres with regular watering, its upright growth and continuous flowering create a tidy, long-lived focal point. Own-root vigour helps it establish a stable framework in pots, giving durable value for small-space owners. |
| Informal flowering hedge or edging |
When planted at closer spacing for edging, its dense foliage and upright habit read as a low, softly flowering line that defines paths or lawn edges. Reliable performance, provided drainage is reasonable and watering is managed in hot, dry spells, suits practical gardeners. |
| Cutting for small, scented arrangements |
The medium, ball-shaped blooms with high petal counts make charming, long-lasting stems for small vases indoors. Recurrent flowering means you can cut a few stems without stripping the plant, and the intense fragrance carries well inside, pleasing informal florists. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-border trio – Plant 3–5 in a loose triangle with soft perennials such as Echinacea ‘Delicious Nougat’ to create a billowing, repeat-flowering cottage effect – ideal for romantic cottage-garden admirers.
- Pathway rhythm – Line a front path with evenly spaced plants for a fragrant, low rose edging that stays compact and tidy – suited to homeowners wanting classic structure with minimal upkeep.
- Patio focal pot – Grow one plant in a 50‑litre terracotta pot near seating, underplanted with trailing thyme for a scented, space-saving feature – perfect for balcony and terrace gardeners.
- Colour echo bed – Combine with Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ and a blue ceanothus backdrop so raspberry-pink blooms pop against red and blue tones – for design-led gardeners seeking bold yet refined contrasts.
- Scented seating nook – Group several plants close to a bench or arbour to concentrate fragrance and create an intimate, enclosed feel – appealing to those who value calm, sensory corners outdoors.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bed rose, registered as KORgehaque; marketed as Gartenprinzessin Marie-José ® Parfuma®. Recognised exhibition shrub rose; ARS exhibition name Gartenprinzessin Marie-José®. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by W. Kordes & Sons in Germany (2005) from ‘Geoff Hamilton’ × (unnamed seedling × ‘KORtocrea’); introduced and registered in 2016 by W. Kordes’ Söhne. |
| Awards and recognition |
ADR-certified in Germany in 2018 for overall garden performance; multiple fragrance prizes at the Kortrijk/Courtrai rose competitions in Belgium in 2017 and 2018. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, compact shrub to around 70–90 cm high and 40–60 cm wide, with dense, mid‑green glossy foliage and moderate prickles; well-suited to beds, edging and container use. |
| Flower morphology |
Medium-sized, very double, ball to pompon-shaped blooms with 40+ petals, borne in clusters; remontant flowering with abundant second flush; some very full flowers may remain on the stems when spent. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Vibrant raspberry-pink flowers (RHS 57B outer, 55C inner) with deeper edges on opening; colour remains rich, later softening to powder pink on outer petals before fading, generally with good garden presence. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, clearly noticeable fragrance persisting throughout the day; detailed scent notes are not specified, but the variety is marketed in the Parfuma® range for pronounced ornamental perfume. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasional small, spherical hips 8–12 mm across, orange-red and subtly decorative if spent blooms are not removed; hip production is secondary to its primary role as a flowering display rose. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated H7 and USDA Zone 6b, tolerating approximately −21 to −18 °C; good resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; moderate heat tolerance, needing regular watering in hot, dry periods. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Low-maintenance rose for beds, edging, containers and cutting; tolerates partial shade and benefits from well-drained soil, consistent moisture and standard spring pruning to maintain shape and flowering. |
GARTENPRINZESSIN MARIE-JOSÉ ® combines strong fragrance, reliable disease resistance and compact habit with the long-term stability of an own-root plant, making it a thoughtful choice if you want dependable colour and scent with modest effort.
