GEBRÜDER GRIMM® – orange bedding floribunda rose - Kordes
Colour-rich and fairy-tale blooms make Gebrüder Grimm® a cheerful choice for small British gardens, bringing warm orange and golden-yellow tones that soften to rosy pink in a long season of repeat flowering. Its upright, compact habit stays tidy in front gardens and narrow borders, while dense, glossy foliage supports a consistently neat structure. Bred by Kordes with ADR recognition and multiple show medals, it balances decorative impact with resilient performance, coping well even where strong winds and rain can batter more delicate roses. In a 2-litre own-root form it settles quickly, then over three seasons quietly builds from root establishment to steady shoot growth and finally full ornamental value, giving you a robust, long-lived feature that suits both beds and larger containers without demanding complicated gardening routines.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front garden focal bed |
The warm orange-to-pink colour shift creates a lively focal point from the pavement or driveway, while the compact, upright structure keeps the planting looking orderly rather than overgrown. Its consistent repeat flowering through the season means the bed does not look bare between flushes, ideal where you want an attractive view with limited upkeep for beginners. |
| Small mixed border near the house |
The dense, glossy foliage and even growth habit help form a stable green backbone in short borders, with flower clusters held neatly above the leaves. Because the colour is strong without being harsh, it pairs well with perennials and grasses, giving a long-lasting framework that continues to perform year after year for homeowners. |
| Cottage-style planting with perennials |
Frequent, well-formed clusters of rosette blooms combine attractively with catmint, blanket flower and other cottage perennials, giving a relaxed yet coherent look. The good heat tolerance and remontant flowering keep colour coming even in warmer spells, supporting a classic, loosely planted scheme that still feels reliable for cottage-garden lovers. |
| Low-maintenance family bed |
Moderate self-cleaning means many spent blooms drop on their own, so the bed remains presentable even when deadheading is not done promptly. With medium maintenance needs and sound overall resilience, it suits busy households who can manage basic watering and an occasional tidy but prefer planting that largely “just works” for busy gardeners. |
| Decorative hedge or row along a path |
Uniform, upright shrubs planted at hedge spacing create a colourful low border that reads as one continuous band of flowers. The consistent height and spread support a clear outline, while the shift from orange to soft pink adds gentle variation along the row, giving structured definition without the formality of clipped shrubs for style-conscious owners. |
| Feature shrub in large containers |
In a pot of at least 40–50 litres, its compact stature and floribunda flowering give a generous display on patios or roof terraces. The own-root form knits into the compost and rebuilds well after pruning, allowing flexible shaping over the years while maintaining a stable, attractive outline for urban gardeners. |
| Weather-exposed urban or suburban sites |
Bred for robustness, it tolerates heat and colder winters, with hardy wood and foliage that cope well with exposed positions and typical British swings in weather, even where frequent rain and wind would flatten looser shrubs. This makes it a dependable choice for front gardens facing the street for confidence-seeking planters. |
| Small group planting in beds and parks |
Planted in groups of three to five, the even growth and rich clusters of flowers create a strong block of colour that reads well from a distance. Over time, the own-root bushes form a balanced stand with good regeneration, giving long-lived planting that ages gracefully without complex renewal work for long-term planners. |
Styling ideas
- Fairy-tale glow – Combine Gebrüder Grimm® with soft pink and apricot roses for a storybook entrance bed that echoes its namesake, ideal for homeowners wanting a welcoming, romantic front garden.
- Sunset ribbon – Plant a low row along a path, edging with silver foliage plants to highlight the orange and golden tones, suiting those who like clean, structured lines with warm colour.
- Cottage tapestry – Mix with Nepeta, Gaillardia and white obedient plant for a loose, pollinator-friendly look, perfect for cottage-garden enthusiasts who prefer relaxed, softly blended borders.
- Patio accent – Grow one shrub in a 50-litre terracotta pot with trailing thyme at the base, a good option for balcony or courtyard gardeners seeking maximum effect from limited space.
- Family-friendly bed – Group three plants in a small rectangle with easy-care perennials in between, designed for busy families who want reliable colour without intensive maintenance.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Gebrüder Grimm® MärchenRosen® (KORassenet), floribunda bedding rose, exhibition shrub rose; ARS name Gebrüder Grimm; own-root pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre container-grown garden plant. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Wilhelm Kordes III, W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany; parentage ‘Bernsteinrose’ × (unknown seedling × ‘Immensee’); introduced and registered in 2001 as a modern floribunda bed rose. |
| Awards and recognition |
ADR award 2002; BUGA Potsdam gold 2001; Kortrijk silver 2001; Rome bronze 2002; RNRS Trial Ground Certificate UK 2000; TOPROOS award Netherlands 2006, confirming strong garden performance. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, compact shrub 85–115 cm high and 40–60 cm wide, with dense, glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickliness; forms uniform, bushy plants well suited to beds, borders and low hedging. |
| Flower morphology |
Medium-sized, very double rosette blooms with 40+ petals, borne in clusters; repeat flowers generously through the season with a reliable second flush; moderate self-cleaning but benefits from occasional deadheading. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Vivid orange and golden-yellow tones (RHS 33A outer, 14B inner) on opening, shifting to soft pink and peach as they age; colour lightens faster in strong sun but overall effect remains warm and cheerful in the border. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Mild, slightly sweet fruity scent, noticeable at close range without overwhelming nearby seating areas; chosen primarily for colour and flower form rather than perfume-centred plantings or cut-flower use. |
| Hip characteristics |
Rose hip set is generally sparse because of the very double flowers; occasionally forms small, spherical orange-red hips around 6–10 mm in diameter, adding a light autumn accent where present. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −32 to −29 °C (USDA 4b, RHS H7, Swedish zone 5); moderate resistance to powdery mildew and black spot, resistant to rust; tolerates heat but appreciates regular watering in prolonged dry spells. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to beds, low hedges, containers and specimen use; plant 45 cm apart in mass beds, 35 cm for hedging, 70 cm as specimens; thrives in well-drained soil with sun or light shade and routine feeding. |
Gebrüder Grimm® offers vivid colour, compact form and dependable flowering on a long-lived own-root shrub that settles securely into family gardens, making it a thoughtful choice when planning your next planting.
