SUSAN MASSU® – yellow-pink hybrid tea rose - Kordes
Graceful blooms, classic form and reliable colour make SUSAN MASSU® an easy choice for a smart British front garden. This upright hybrid tea carries large, high-centred flowers in a harmonious yellow and salmon-pink blend, ideal for neat borders and as an elegant cut flower. Its medium, pleasantly sweet fragrance is noticeable without overwhelming smaller spaces around the house. As an own-root rose, it settles in steadily, building long-term stability and the ability to regenerate after pruning or harsher weather. Well suited to simple planting schemes in typical family gardens, it copes well with wind and rain near exposed areas when given reasonable shelter. Over the first three years it focuses on roots, then shoots, then full display, rewarding regular watering and light deadheading. Planted in small groups, it creates a tidy, repeat-flowering focus that fits naturally beside paths, drives and cottage-style mixes, offering dependable impact for busy gardeners who want straightforward success.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front garden specimen by the path |
The tall, upright bush with high-centred, exhibition-style blooms provides an immediate focal point near the entrance, yet remains compact enough for narrow front gardens; ideal for those wanting formal structure with minimal complexity for the beginner. |
| Small group in a mixed cottage border |
Planted in groups of 3–5 at about 65 cm spacing, the soft yellow and salmon-pink tones blend gently with perennials and herbs, while own-root growth ensures a long-lived clump that matures gracefully over the years for the homeowner. |
| Cutting and perfumed flower corner |
Large, high-centred, solitary flowers on long, straight stems are ideal for vases, and the medium-strength sweet scent carries indoors without becoming overpowering, giving reliable home-grown stems through the season for the collector. |
| Formal border along a drive or path |
Regular planting at 55–65 cm creates a clean, linear effect, while the dense, glossy foliage and repeat flowering give a smart, maintained look with basic trimming and deadheading, suiting those who value tidy structure for the stylist. |
| Sunny, sheltered family back garden bed |
Performs best in full sun with regular watering in dry spells, giving families dependable flowering where children play and adults relax; own-root plants recover well from the odd knock or pruning error, reassuring the busy parent. |
| Large container on patio or terrace (40–50 L+) |
In a substantial pot with at least 40–50 litres of compost and good drainage, the upright habit and strong stems stay stable, offering an elegant feature close to seating areas and French doors for the urban balcony or terrace gardener. |
| Roses for breezier, more exposed plots |
Its sturdy growth and dense foliage stand up well to typical British wind and rain when given a modest windbreak, helping maintain flower quality and overall shape even in less sheltered family gardens for the coastal-edge owner. |
| Long-term, low-fuss rose bed |
Medium maintenance needs and good resistance to black spot and powdery mildew, combined with own-root longevity, create a durable planting that settles in and improves year by year without demanding complex care from the time-pressed beginner. |
Styling ideas
- Classic entrance pair – flank a front door or path with two SUSAN MASSU® and a low edging of horned violas for a composed, traditional welcome – for homeowners who like understated formality.
- Cottage ribbon – weave a short row through a cottage border with compact sage and dwarf oregano to echo the rose’s warm tones – for lovers of relaxed, herb-rich planting.
- Elegant cutting strip – dedicate a narrow bed for cutting, repeating SUSAN MASSU® at regular intervals to supply long-stemmed, scented blooms – for those who enjoy arranging flowers indoors.
- Patio feature pot – plant one rose in a 50 L terracotta container with low, silver foliage at the rim to highlight its upright form – for balcony and terrace gardeners needing vertical interest.
- Family focal bed – create a small circular bed in lawn with SUSAN MASSU® at the centre and simple perennials around, keeping mowing edges clear – for busy families wanting easy, eye-catching structure.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose, registered as KORad; marketed as SUSAN MASSU® – yellow-pink hybrid tea rose – Kordes; ARS exhibition name Susan Massu; female given-name cultivar. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Reimer Kordes, W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany, from ‘Colour Wonder’ × ‘Liberty Bell’; introduced and registered in 1970 as a cut and garden hybrid tea. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Strong, upright bush 130–170 cm high and 75–105 cm wide, with dense, dark green, glossy foliage and moderate prickles; forms a vertical accent suited to borders and specimen planting. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very double, high-centred hybrid tea blooms with over 40 petals; typically borne singly on stems; remontant with generous second flush; flower size around 2.75–3.95 inches across. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Vivid sun-yellow base with salmon-pink edging, ARS YB, RHS 11B outer and 36C inner; tones soften in strong sun, with pink margins widening as flowers mature before gradual overall fading. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Medium-strength, pleasantly sweet scent typical of classic hybrid teas; clearly noticeable at close range along paths or seating areas without dominating nearby, making it suitable for small gardens. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip set limited due to very double flowers; where present, produces small ovoid hips, orange-red, about 10–14 mm in diameter, offering occasional late-season interest without major ornamental focus. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about −21 to −18 °C, RHS H7, roughly USDA zone 6b and Swedish zone 3; resistant to black spot and powdery mildew, medium susceptibility to rust, moderate heat tolerance needing watering in drought. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in sunny positions with fertile, well-drained soil and regular watering; space 55–100 cm depending on use; medium maintenance with deadheading and light pruning; suited to borders, specimens and cutting. |
SUSAN MASSU® offers elegant, scented blooms, dependable repeat flowering and long-lived own-root resilience, making it a thoughtful choice if you would like a refined yet straightforward hybrid tea in your garden.
