Introduction & History

Folklore is a magnificent hybrid tea from the house of Kordes, a rose of extraordinary vigor and striking orange-salmon coloring that brought a new level of intensity to the warm-toned palette of the 1970s. Introduced by Reimer Kordes in 1977, this towering rose produces some of the largest, most richly colored blooms in the hybrid tea class, borne on a plant of almost climbing proportions that can reach well over two meters in height. The flowers are a complex blend of orange, salmon, and soft gold, suffused with a rich, heady fragrance that ranks among the finest of any hybrid tea. Folklore embodies the German breeding philosophy of combining beauty with toughness: it is remarkably disease-resistant for its era, shrugs off rain damage, and thrives in climates that would humble lesser varieties. For gardeners seeking a warm-colored hybrid tea with genuine presence and old-world fragrance, Folklore delivers on every front.

Breeding History

Folklore was bred by Reimer Kordes at W. Kordes Sohne in Germany and introduced in 1977. Its parentage is a cross of Fragrant Cloud crossed with an unnamed Kordes seedling, inheriting the legendary fragrance and vigor of Fragrant Cloud while adding its own distinctive orange-salmon coloring. The variety received an Anerkannte Deutsche Rose (ADR) award, Germany's most rigorous rose trial distinction, which tests roses without pesticides for multiple years. This certification speaks volumes about its disease resistance and garden toughness. Folklore was widely planted across Europe and remains popular in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Australia nearly fifty years after introduction.

Flower Form & Fragrance

Blooms are very large, 13-15 cm across, with 40-50 petals creating a full, well-formed flower with a classic high center that opens to reveal a beautifully quartered interior. Color is a luminous blend of orange and salmon with gold and apricot tones at the petal base, the reverse slightly lighter. The fragrance is outstanding, a rich, complex scent combining old-rose damask notes with fruity overtones of peach and apricot, frequently rated among the top ten most fragrant hybrid teas. Flowers are borne singly or occasionally in small clusters on very long, strong stems that can exceed 60 cm.

Garden Design & Uses

Folklore's exceptional height makes it ideal for the back of a rose border or as a pillar rose trained to 200-250 cm. Plant against a warm wall or obelisk to exploit its vigorous upward growth. It makes a stunning focal point in a mixed border, surrounded by warm-toned companions such as Helenium, Rudbeckia, and bronze-leaved Heuchera. Pair with blue-purple flowers like Salvia nemorosa or Geranium Rozanne for a vibrant complementary scheme. Avoid crowding with other tall roses as it needs space to display its full grandeur.

Growth Habit & Hardiness

An exceptionally tall, vigorous, upright bush reaching 150-250 cm in height with a spread of 90-120 cm. This is one of the tallest hybrid teas available, often exceeding the dimensions expected of the class. Canes are very strong, thick, and moderately thorny, capable of supporting the large blooms without staking. Foliage is large, dark green, glossy, and abundant with excellent disease resistance. The plant produces strong basal breaks and fills out rapidly. In warm climates, it can be trained as a short climber on a pillar or tripod.

Climate & Hardiness

Hardy to USDA zones 5b-9. Exceptionally robust for a hybrid tea, tolerating both cold winters and warm summers with equal aplomb. The ADR certification confirms its ability to thrive without chemical protection in Central European conditions. Performs well in maritime climates with cool, damp summers where many hybrid teas struggle. Heat tolerance is good in zones 8-9 with adequate watering. Moderate frost resistance means it requires less winter protection than most hybrid teas.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Planting & Container Growing

Plant in deep, fertile, well-drained soil enriched with generous amounts of organic matter to fuel this variety's exceptional vigor. pH 6.0-7.0 is ideal. Space plants 90-120 cm apart, wider than typical hybrid teas, to accommodate the large spread. The planting hole should be ample, at least 50 cm wide and deep. Full sun is ideal, though it tolerates light afternoon shade without significant impact on performance.

Container Growing

Not well suited to containers due to its exceptional height and vigor. If attempted, use a minimum 60-litre container with rich, loam-based compost and ensure excellent drainage. Even then, the plant will not reach its full potential and may become top-heavy and prone to wind damage. A half-barrel or large planter box is the minimum practical option. Feed heavily to compensate for the restricted root zone. Feasibility rating: 4 out of 10.

Seasonal Care & Pruning

Spring: Prune moderately, removing only one-third of the previous year's growth and any dead or crossing wood. Apply generous amounts of slow-release fertilizer and mulch deeply. Summer: Water deeply and regularly, as this vigorous plant is a heavy drinker. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering. Feed with liquid fertilizer every two weeks during peak growth. Autumn: Allow the plant to wind down naturally. Stop feeding by September. Tie in tall canes to prevent wind damage. Winter: Apply light winter protection in zones 5b-6. The robust root system and thick canes tolerate moderate frost well.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Underestimating the plant's ultimate size and spacing it too closely, which creates a congested, disease-prone planting. 2. Pruning too hard, which wastes the variety's natural vigor and reduces its magnificent stature. 3. Over-fertilizing with nitrogen, promoting excessive soft growth at the expense of flower quality. 4. Failing to provide adequate support or a training structure in windy locations. 5. Not deadheading promptly, which delays the repeat bloom cycle.

Propagation

Best propagated by T-budding onto Rosa canina or Rosa laxa rootstock, which is the standard commercial method in Europe. The vigorous scion makes establishment rapid. Hardwood cuttings in late autumn have moderate success at 40-50%. Semi-ripe cuttings in late summer root more readily with bottom heat and mist propagation. Own-root plants develop strong root systems and may be preferred for long-term garden planting. Difficulty rating: Moderate.

Diseases & Pests

Outstanding disease resistance for a hybrid tea, validated by the ADR award. Low susceptibility to black spot and good resistance to powdery mildew. Rain tolerance is above average, with blooms holding well in wet weather rather than balling. Aphids may colonize new growth in spring. Occasional rose sawfly damage to foliage. In warm climates, spider mites can appear during hot, dry spells. Overall, one of the healthiest hybrid teas available, requiring minimal or no spraying in most European climates.

Cut Flowers & Exhibition

A superb cut rose with extremely long stems often exceeding 50 cm. Cut when the bud is one-third open to enjoy the full fragrance development in the vase. Vase life is 7-9 days with floral preservative. The fragrance fills a room and intensifies as the bloom opens. The orange-salmon color is stunning in arrangements, working beautifully with autumnal flowers and foliage. Remove lower leaves below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth.

Collector & Exhibition Notes

Highly valued by collectors of Kordes roses and ADR-certified varieties. Enters well in hybrid tea single-bloom, fragrant rose, and warm-blend classes at rose shows. The large blooms and long stems give it excellent stage presence. Popular in European rose exhibitions and well-known in German, British, and Australian rose circles. A benchmark variety for orange-toned hybrid teas. Its longevity in commerce speaks to enduring quality.

Comparison with Similar Roses

Compared to Just Joey, Folklore is significantly taller, more vigorous, and has a more complex color with stronger orange tones, though Just Joey has arguably more ruffled petal edges. Versus Fragrant Cloud (its parent), Folklore offers a warmer, more orange-salmon palette versus Fragrant Cloud's coral-red, and grows taller. Compared to Brandy, Folklore has better disease resistance and richer fragrance but is much taller and more demanding of space.

Heritage & Conservation

Folklore is still widely available from major rose nurseries across Europe and Australia. Its ADR status ensures continued propagation and promotion through German horticultural channels. The variety is represented in major European rose gardens including Sangerhausen, the world's largest rose collection. As a proven, commercially successful variety, it faces no immediate conservation concerns, though changing fashion toward shrub roses may reduce its commercial availability over time.

Cultural Significance

Folklore embodies the German Kordes tradition of breeding roses that are beautiful and tough in equal measure. Its ADR certification places it in an elite group of varieties proven to thrive without chemical protection. The rose became a symbol of the 1970s shift toward garden-worthy hybrid teas that could perform without constant pampering. It remains a staple of European rose gardens and is frequently recommended by the Royal National Rose Society and German rose societies as a reliable garden performer.

Frequently Asked Questions