Hybrid TeaTantau, 1985Bicolour

Cherry Brandy 85

Hans Jürgen Evers; one of the first bicolour HTs of the 'cocktail' palette.

Classic 'sunset' bicolour

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat-flowering in flushes all season

Awards

Tantau 4

Fragrance · a classic from the Tantau house

Winter hardiness

−20 °C

USDA zone 6–9. In Ukraine with winter cover.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

85–120 × 70–80 cm

Habit: Upright and vigorous — a typical HT
Dimensions: 85–120 cm tall × 70–80 cm wide
Support: No support needed — a standard HT
Shoots: Sturdy, straight, holding the large flowers well on long stems for cutting
Branching: Moderate; the shoots spread well from the base

Flower

8–10 cm

Bud shape: Elongated, high-centred, copper-orange
Open flower: Classic high-centred HT — opens into a deep cup; diameter 8–10 cm
Centre: Warm golden-apricot — the inner side of the petal is noticeably lighter than the outer
Fullness: Full, ~35 petals
Flower carriage: Mostly borne singly on each stem (sometimes in small clusters)

Fragrance

Moderate

Moderate (4 per Tantau), a refined fruity scent — notes of apple and spice.

Disease resistance

2 out of 5

Black spotsusceptiblePowdery mildewsusceptible

Weak — regular preventive fungicide treatments against black spot are essential; good air circulation around the bush.

Sun

Full sun is essential

In partial shade it loses colour intensity and forms flowers less well.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Moderate number of thorns — typical for HTs.

Foliage

Dark green, leathery, typical of Tantau.

Other names

Breeder's code TANryrandy.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Hybrid Tea
Breeder: Tantau, 1985
Bud shape: Elongated, high-centred, copper-orange
Open flower: Classic high-centred HT — opens into a deep cup; diameter 8–10 cm
Centre: Warm golden-apricot — the inner side of the petal is noticeably lighter than the outer
Colour: Bicolour 'sunset': terracotta-copper on the outside, apricot-gold inside; it lightens as it opens, and the edges turn pink in the sun
Fullness: Full, ~35 petals
Flower carriage: Mostly borne singly on each stem (sometimes in small clusters)
Flowering: Repeat-flowering in flushes all season
Fragrance: Moderate (4 per Tantau), a refined fruity scent — notes of apple and spice
Hips: Does not form hips (the flowers are double; seed is rare)
Habit: Upright and vigorous — a typical HT
Branching: Moderate; the shoots spread well from the base
Shoots: Sturdy, straight, holding the large flowers well on long stems for cutting
Thorns: Moderate number of thorns — typical for HTs.
Dimensions: 85–120 cm tall × 70–80 cm wide
Support: No support needed — a standard HT
Foliage: Dark green, leathery, typical of Tantau
Resistance: Weak — regular preventive fungicide treatments against black spot are essential; good air circulation around the bush
Variations of the variety: There are 2 Cherry Brandy varieties from Tantau: Cherry Brandy 85 (this one, TANryrandy 1985) and Cherry Brandy 2001/2004 (TAN01693, a florist rose); do not confuse them

Colour scheme

Bicolour 'sunset': terracotta-copper on the outside, apricot-gold inside; it lightens as it opens, and the edges turn pink in the sun

Rose neighbours

Just Joeyapricot ombré

Lions-Rosecreamy white

Westerlandorange-gold

Chandos Beautycreamy apricot

Perennials to plant nearby

Narrow-leaved lavenderlavender

Faassen's catmintblue

Many-coloured spurgepurple

Sage 'Caradonna'lime greenMany-coloured spurge

Neighbouring roses

Other apricot-orange varieties in a warm palette:

Just Joey Lions-Rose Westerland Chandos Beauty

Companion perennials

Blue and purple — a classic contrast to copper-orange:

narrow-leaved lavenderFaassen's catmintmany-coloured spurgesage 'Caradonna'

Contrasting accents

Dark blue and purple spires:

blue delphiniumallium 'Globemaster'woodland sage 'Caradonna'

More about the variety

Hips: Does not form hips (the flowers are double; seed is rare)
Variations of the variety: There are 2 Cherry Brandy varieties from Tantau: Cherry Brandy 85 (this one, TANryrandy 1985) and Cherry Brandy 2001/2004 (TAN01693, a florist rose); do not confuse them

How to grow

Where to plant. Formal borders, cut-flower roses, the centre of a bed among lower perennials. Thanks to its vivid bicolour, it makes a strong visual accent.

Climate. To −20 °C — in Ukraine winter protection is essential in all regions except the far south.

Care. Regular preventive fungicide treatments against black spot — the variety's weak point. Formative pruning in spring, removing spent flowers. A sunny, airy site is essential.

About the name

Name. 'Cherry Brandy' — English for 'cherry brandy'; a hint at the cocktail-like warm copper-orange palette with a spicy tint.

Breeding. Bred by Hans Jürgen Evers at Rosen-Tantau (Germany), 1985. Patent code TANryrandy. Parentage not officially published by the house. There is also a later Cherry Brandy from Tantau (2001/2004, TAN01693) — a different florist rose, not to be confused with this one.

Significance. One of the first bicolour HTs of Evers' 'cocktail' palette. A classic from the Tantau house of the 1980s; the benchmark for warm copper-apricot tones among Hybrid Teas. On the Tantau website it is rated 4 for fragrance (out of 5).

Frequently asked questions about Cherry Brandy 85

Does Cherry Brandy 85 need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −20 °C (USDA zone 6–9). Overwintering depends on the conditions.

How many times a season does Cherry Brandy 85 flower?

Repeat-flowering in flushes all season.

How big does Cherry Brandy 85 grow?

85–120 cm tall, 70–80 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Cherry Brandy 85?

Overall resistance: 2 out of 5. Weak; 1 for black spot, 2 for powdery mildew (per Tantau) — needs preventive care.

How much sun does Cherry Brandy 85 need?

Sun; full sun is essential; in partial shade it loses colour intensity and forms flowers less well.

What does Cherry Brandy 85 smell like?