Introduction & History

There are climbing roses that bloom, and then there is 'Jasmina,' a rose that transforms an entire garden structure into a cascading waterfall of lilac-pink romance. Bred by Tim Hermann Kordes at the legendary W. Kordes' Sohne nursery in Germany and introduced in 2005, this climber immediately distinguished itself with its extraordinary profusion of deeply cupped, quartered blooms in an enchanting shade of lilac-pink that evokes the finest old garden roses. What sets 'Jasmina' apart from countless other climbing roses is the combination of its intensely nostalgic flower form with a powerful, sweet fragrance that carries across the garden on warm evenings. Awarded the prestigious ADR (Allgemeine Deutsche Rosenneuheitenprufung) certificate, Germany's most demanding rose trial requiring no chemical disease protection, 'Jasmina' has proven itself as one of the healthiest and most beautiful modern climbing roses available anywhere in the world.

Breeding History

'Jasmina' was bred by Tim Hermann Kordes at the W. Kordes' Sohne nursery in Klein Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and introduced in 2005 under the registration name KORcentex. The Kordes breeding program, spanning over a century, is renowned for producing roses of exceptional disease resistance and garden performance, and 'Jasmina' represents one of its finest achievements in the climbing rose category. Its parentage draws on Kordes' deep gene pool of healthy, repeat-blooming climbers. The cultivar earned the coveted ADR certificate, awarded only to roses that demonstrate outstanding health, vigor, and ornamental value over multiple years of trialing without chemical sprays. This certification places 'Jasmina' among the elite of German-bred garden roses.

Flower Form & Fragrance

'Jasmina' produces deeply cupped, quartered blooms with 60-80 petals, opening from rounded buds into large, rosette-shaped flowers approximately 7-9 cm across. The color is a captivating lilac-pink with subtle lavender undertones, maintaining excellent color stability in both heat and cool weather. Blooms appear in generous clusters of 5-15 flowers, creating spectacular cascading trusses that weigh elegantly along arching canes. The fragrance is strong and richly sweet, with notes of green apple and honey, making it one of the most intensely perfumed modern climbers. The first flush in early summer is spectacular, followed by reliable repeat blooming through autumn, with the later flushes often producing even deeper lilac tones.

Garden Design & Uses

'Jasmina' is a superb choice for pergolas, arches, pillars, obelisks, and garden walls where its arching, cascading growth habit and pendant flower clusters can be displayed to full advantage. Train along a fence for a romantic screen, or allow it to weep from the top of a tall pillar for dramatic effect. The lilac-pink coloring pairs exquisitely with silver foliage plants such as Artemisia and Stachys, blue-flowering companions like Nepeta, Salvia, and Campanula, and white roses for a moonlit garden palette. It creates stunning combinations with clematis in complementary shades of purple or deep blue. Plant where the strong fragrance can be enjoyed, such as near seating areas, doorways, or along garden paths.

Growth Habit & Hardiness

'Jasmina' develops vigorous, arching to slightly lax climbing canes reaching 250-300 cm tall with a spread of 100-150 cm, making it a medium-sized climber well suited to most garden structures. The growth habit is naturally graceful with canes that arch outward and downward, creating a fountain-like silhouette ideal for pillars and arches. Foliage is dark green, glossy, and highly disease-resistant, providing an excellent backdrop for the lilac-pink blooms. New growth emerges with attractive reddish tones. Thorn density is moderate, with medium-sized, slightly hooked prickles. The plant builds a solid framework over 2-3 seasons and requires training to a support structure for best results. Annual growth increments of 50-80 cm can be expected from established plants.

Climate & Hardiness

'Jasmina' is hardy in USDA zones 5b-9, tolerating winter temperatures down to approximately -26°C (-15°F) with appropriate siting. In zone 5, protect the base with winter mulch and consider wrapping canes in burlap in the most exposed locations. Heat tolerance is good through zone 9, with blooms maintaining their lilac-pink color better than many roses in warm conditions. The ADR certification confirms its ability to thrive across Germany's varied climates without chemical protection. It performs best in continental and maritime temperate climates with distinct seasons.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Planting & Container Growing

Plant in full sun, minimum 6 hours daily, in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Position at least 30 cm from the base of walls or fences to allow root development and air circulation. Dig a generous planting hole, amend with well-rotted compost, and plant at the same depth as the nursery container or slightly deeper for grafted specimens. Provide a sturdy support structure at planting time. Mulch with 5-8 cm of organic material. Water deeply at planting and maintain consistent moisture through the first two growing seasons while the root system and climbing framework establish.

Container Growing

'Jasmina' can be grown in a large container as a pillar rose, though it performs best in the ground where its root system can fully develop. Use a minimum 50-litre container with excellent drainage. Fill with high-quality potting soil amended with compost and slow-release fertilizer. Provide a sturdy obelisk or pillar for support within the container. Water regularly, potentially daily in summer, as container-grown climbers dry out quickly. Feed every two weeks with liquid rose fertilizer during the growing season. Winter protection of the root zone is essential in zones 5-6. Feasibility rating: 3/5.

Seasonal Care & Pruning

Spring: Remove dead and damaged wood once buds swell. Do not cut back main structural canes unless necessary. Tie in new growth to the support structure, fanning canes horizontally to encourage flowering laterals. Apply balanced granular rose fertilizer and refresh mulch. Summer: Water deeply once or twice weekly during dry spells. Deadhead spent flower clusters to encourage repeat bloom. Continue tying in vigorous new canes. Apply a second feeding after the first flush finishes. Monitor for any disease, though ADR-certified health means problems are rare. Autumn: Stop fertilizing by late August. Allow the last blooms to set hips. Tie in any loose canes before winter winds. Winter: In zones 5-6, mound mulch around the base and consider wrapping exposed canes. In zones 7-9, no special protection is needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Planting too close to a wall where reflected heat dries the soil and reduces air circulation. 2. Failing to train canes horizontally or at an angle, which reduces the number of flowering laterals. 3. Pruning too heavily in the first 2-3 years before the climbing framework is established. 4. Neglecting to tie in new canes during the growing season, allowing them to whip and break. 5. Underestimating the spread; it needs at least 150 cm of horizontal space for best display.

Propagation

'Jasmina' is typically propagated by softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in early to mid-summer. Select 15-20 cm semi-ripe lateral shoots, remove lower leaves, dip in rooting hormone, and root in a perlite/peat mix under high humidity. Rooting takes 4-8 weeks with moderate success rates. Hardwood cuttings taken in late autumn also succeed at lower rates. As a Kordes cultivar, 'Jasmina' is protected by plant breeder's rights in many jurisdictions, and commercial propagation requires a license. Home gardeners may root cuttings for personal use in most countries. Difficulty rating: Moderate.

Diseases & Pests

'Jasmina' holds the ADR certificate, meaning it demonstrated outstanding disease resistance over multiple years of trialing without any chemical sprays. Black spot resistance is excellent, far superior to the average climbing rose. Powdery mildew resistance is very good. Rust is rare. This exceptional health profile is one of the cultivar's greatest assets and dramatically reduces the need for fungicide applications. Aphids may colonize new growth in spring, easily managed with a strong water spray or insecticidal soap. Japanese beetles may feed on blooms in affected regions of North America. Spider mites can appear during hot, dry spells. Sawfly larvae occasionally damage foliage but rarely cause serious harm.

Cut Flowers & Exhibition

'Jasmina' produces charming, deeply fragrant cut flowers with a nostalgic rosette form that is beautiful in romantic arrangements. Cut stems in early morning when blooms are half open. Harvest entire small clusters for the most natural garden-style bouquets. Strip lower foliage, recut stems under water, and condition in warm water with floral preservative. The strong sweet fragrance makes these blooms especially valued for indoor arrangements. Vase life is 5-7 days.

Collector & Exhibition Notes

'Jasmina' is a must-have for collectors of modern Kordes climbers and ADR-certified roses. Its combination of nostalgic bloom form, exceptional fragrance, and outstanding health makes it a benchmark cultivar against which other modern climbers are measured. For exhibition, present well-formed clusters at the half-open stage with clean, glossy foliage. It competes in climbing rose classes and fragrant rose classes. Its commercial availability is good in Europe and increasingly in North America through specialty nurseries.

Comparison with Similar Roses

Compared to 'New Dawn,' 'Jasmina' offers deeper lilac-pink coloring, stronger fragrance, and significantly better disease resistance, but is somewhat less vigorous and cold-hardy. Against 'Laguna' (another Kordes ADR climber), 'Jasmina' has a softer, more lilac tone versus Laguna's deeper pink, with a more arching habit. Versus 'Gertrude Jekyll' (David Austin), 'Jasmina' provides comparable fragrance intensity with far superior disease resistance and a true climbing habit. Against 'Compassion,' it offers better health but lighter coloring.

Heritage & Conservation

As a modern Kordes cultivar under active commercial production, 'Jasmina' faces no immediate conservation concern. However, it represents an important milestone in the Kordes ADR breeding line and carries genetics refined over more than a century of systematic selection for health and beauty. Its ADR certification ensures its preservation in German trial gardens. The cultivar serves as a reference standard for evaluating new climbing roses in health and fragrance.

Cultural Significance

'Jasmina' represents the modern pinnacle of the Kordes breeding philosophy, which has always prioritized garden-worthy health alongside beauty. In an era of growing environmental awareness and declining tolerance for chemical sprays in home gardens, ADR-certified roses like 'Jasmina' embody the future of sustainable rose gardening. Its success has demonstrated that exceptional fragrance and nostalgic beauty need not come at the cost of disease resistance, challenging the long-held assumption that the most beautiful roses are inevitably the most disease-prone.

Frequently Asked Questions