PAROLE ® – deep pink hybrid tea rose - Kordes
This award-winning hybrid tea offers monumental deep-pink blooms with a powerful fruity fragrance that is instantly recognisable in any cottage or classic front garden. Large, very full flowers are carried on an upright, well-foliaged bush, ideal as a specimen or in a small group where you want true “speech-stopping” effect with surprisingly manageable care needs. As an own-root plant it matures steadily into a long-lived, well-balanced shrub, building roots in year one, stronger shoots in year two and its full ornamental value by year three. It settles reliably into typical British gardens, coping well even where spring soil can be slow to warm and drainage needs attention in wetter, wind-exposed coastal plots. Use it for richly scented, long-stemmed cut flowers from your own border, or to anchor a mixed planting with enduring impact and romantic colour.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
| Front garden focal point |
The very large, deep-pink, high-centred blooms create an immediate visual focus beside a path or doorway, while the upright habit keeps the plant tidy in a small space with only moderate upkeep – perfect for the busy beginner |
| Small bed or border group (1–3 plants) |
Planted in a tight group, the strong colour and generous flower size give a “designed” look without complex planting plans; own-root plants knit into a stable, long-lived clump with consistent form – ideal for the style-conscious homeowner |
| Cottage-style mixed border |
The rich deep pink combines beautifully with classics like lavender, honeysuckle and lamb’s ear, while the remontant flowering keeps colour running through the season among perennials and shrubs – appealing to the cottage-garden enthusiast |
| Fragrant cutting patch |
Hybrid tea stems with very full, long-lasting blooms and an award-winning, strong fruity scent are excellent for vases, allowing you to harvest armfuls of flowers from a modest planting area – rewarding for the home flower arranger |
| Specimen near seating area |
Placed by a terrace or bench, the powerful fragrance and repeat flowering provide a luxurious atmosphere through the summer, without requiring advanced pruning techniques or specialist care – reassuring for the relaxed garden user |
| Partially shaded town garden |
This variety tolerates partial shade, so it suits side-return paths or overlooked, town gardens where full sun is limited, yet still offers reliable flowering and structure – a good option for the urban balcony-and-patio owner |
| Raised bed in heavier soils |
Own-root stock copes well with typical British clay when given a well-prepared, free-draining bed, anchoring reliably even where spring stays wet and wind-exposed, drainage-challenged conditions are common – practical for the clay-soil gardener |
| Large decorative container (40–50 litres+) |
An upright, compact spread and showy hybrid tea flowers make it well suited to a substantial pot, provided you choose at least 40–50 litres and water and feed regularly, giving flexible placement for the small-space gardener |
Styling ideas
- Doorway drama – Flank your front path with a pair of PAROLE in deep terracotta pots for a formal yet welcoming entrance – ideal for homeowners wanting instant kerb appeal.
- Cottage blend – Combine PAROLE with lavender and lamb’s ear in a sunny border to echo classic cottage gardens, softening the strong pink blooms – perfect for lovers of romantic, traditional planting.
- Scented sitting-area – Position a small trio near a bench so repeated flowering and strong perfume frame your favourite resting spot – suited to gardeners who prize relaxation over garden chores.
- Cutting corner – Dedicate a short row in a side bed for long-stemmed cut flowers, mixing in simple filler plants so you can pick impressive, fragrant arrangements – great for home florists.
- Urban showcase – Grow a single plant in a generous 50-litre container on a balcony or patio, underplanted with low herbs to highlight its structure and colour – made for style-focused city gardeners.
Technical cultivar profile
| Characteristic | Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose from the Eleganza® collection; registered as KORbilant, marketed as Parole ® Eleganza® KORbilant, with ARS exhibition name Parole® for show and cut-flower use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by W. Kordes & Sons in Germany (1991); parentage undocumented; registered 2006 and introduced after 2006, distributed initially by W. Kordes & Sons for garden and exhibition use. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated for fragrance and quality, including Potsdam Gold Medal (2001), multiple international fragrance awards (Madrid, Nantes, The Hague) and further prizes in European and Japanese trials. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Medium-sized, upright bush 80–110 cm high and 40–60 cm wide, with dense, mid-green, slightly glossy foliage and moderate prickles; forms a well-defined, vertical accent in beds or containers. |
| Flower morphology |
Classic, high-centred hybrid tea blooms, very full with 40+ petals, solitary on stems, large (approx. 7–10 cm), ideal for cutting and exhibition, repeating well with a strong second flush in season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Uniform deep-pink blooms with a subtle purplish tone and light silvery edging; colour holds very well, fading cleanly to softer pink without muddiness; flowering repeats reliably across the summer months. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Exceptionally strong, sweet, fruity scent detectable at distance; repeatedly awarded in international fragrance trials; primarily ornamental, with very double flowers limiting pollen access for pollinating insects. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip set is generally sparse due to the very double blooms; when present, produces small, bright orange-red spherical hips 6–10 mm across, which add occasional late-season decorative interest. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately -23 to -21 °C (RHS H7, USDA 6a, Swedish zone 3); good resistance to powdery mildew and black spot, moderate susceptibility to rust, with overall moderate disease robustness. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to beds, specimen and cut-flower use; plant 30–55 cm apart depending on effect; prefers full sun to light shade, fertile, well-drained soil and periodic deadheading and protection where rust is an issue. |
PAROLE ® offers monumental, fragrant deep-pink blooms, reliable repeat flowering and long-lived, own-root stability for effortless front gardens and borders, making it a thoughtful choice for those planning a lasting, beautiful planting.