Nostalgic climberRosen TantauPink

Giardina

TAN97289; nostalgic climbing Tantau rose with quartered flowers; sold in France as 'L'Alhambra'.

Large-Flowered Climber · syn. 'L'Alhambra'

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat-flowering through the season

Awards

Baden-Baden

Bronze 2007 · 2nd prize Lyon 2008 · bronze Tokyo

Winter hardiness

−23 °C

USDA zone 6–9. Centre and south; north — with cover.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

250–350 × 100 cm

Habit: Sturdy, upright, well-branched; glossy right down to the base
Dimensions: 250–350 cm high (up to 400) × ~100 cm wide
Support: Needs support — trellis, arch, pillar, obelisk
Shoots: Strong; takes 2–3 years to build up the climbing form
Branching: Good, even

Flower

8–10 cm

Bud shape: Globular, with a reddish tinge
Open flower: Large, quartered (divided into sectors), nostalgic cup-shaped; diameter 8–10 cm
Centre: Densely quartered
Fullness: Very double, ~70–80 petals
Flower carriage: In small clusters (3–6 flowers) or singly

Fragrance

Moderate; sweetly fruity

Moderate — sweetly fruity, soft.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

Black spotresistantPowdery mildewresistant

Exceptionally resistant (Tantau: powdery mildew 4, black spot 3).

Sun

5–6 hours

Full sun; at least 5–6 hours of direct light.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Approximate; no precise data on thorniness in the sources.

Foliage

Medium green, glossy, leathery, very healthy.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Nostalgic climber
Breeder: Rosen Tantau
Bud shape: Globular, with a reddish tinge
Open flower: Large, quartered (divided into sectors), nostalgic cup-shaped; diameter 8–10 cm
Centre: Densely quartered
Colour: Light pink, a 'porcelain' tone with paler edges and reverse; very durable flowers that last a long time
Fullness: Very double, ~70–80 petals
Flower carriage: In small clusters (3–6 flowers) or singly
Flowering: Repeat-flowering through the season
Fragrance: Moderate — sweetly fruity, soft
Hips: Usually do not form
Habit: Sturdy, upright, well-branched; glossy right down to the base
Branching: Good, even
Shoots: Strong; takes 2–3 years to build up the climbing form
Thorns: Approximate; no precise data on thorniness in the sources.
Dimensions: 250–350 cm high (up to 400) × ~100 cm wide
Support: Needs support — trellis, arch, pillar, obelisk
Foliage: Medium green, glossy, leathery, very healthy
Resistance: Exceptionally resistant (Tantau: powdery mildew 4, black spot 3)
Variations of the variety: Sold in France as 'L'Alhambra'; one of the last works of breeder Hans Jürgen Evers

Colour scheme

Light pink, a 'porcelain' tone with paler edges and reverse; the flowers are very durable and last a long time

Rose neighbours

Pierre de Ronsardcream-pink

Constance Spryclear pink

Gertrude Jekyllbright pink

Amadeusvelvety red · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavender 'Munstead'lavender

Catmint (Nepeta)sky blue

Sage 'Caradonna'purple

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla)lime green

Neighbouring roses

Other nostalgic pink climbers and shrub roses keep a romantic cottage mood around Giardina.

Pierre de Ronsard Constance Spry Gertrude Jekyll Amadeus

Companion perennials

Lavender-blue palette with lime-green lady's mantle — a classic base for a pink climber:

lavender 'Munstead'catmint (Nepeta)sage 'Caradonna'lady's mantle (Alchemilla)

Contrasting accents

Clematis up the same support and blue spires add vertical rhythm:

clematis viticellaDelphiniumAlchemilla mollis

More about the variety

Hips: Usually do not form
Variations of the variety: Sold in France as 'L'Alhambra'; one of the last works of breeder Hans Jürgen Evers

How to grow

Where to plant. For an arch, pergola, pillar or obelisk, or against a wall on a trellis — the quartered 'porcelain' flowers create a romantic, nostalgic accent; pairs beautifully with clematis.

Climate. Centre and south of Ukraine — good; in the north — with the base covered (USDA zone 6).

Care. For the first 2–3 years train it as a climber — tie shoots in horizontally; in spring remove weak canes and feed twice. Very healthy — minimal spraying.

About the name

Name. Tantau has given no official explanation; 'Giardina' sounds like the Italian giardino, 'garden', which suits a garden climbing rose. In France the variety is sold under a different name, 'L'Alhambra' (after the Alhambra palace).

Breeding. Rosen Tantau (Germany), breeder Hans Jürgen Evers. Bred in 1997, introduced in 2008. Patent code TAN97289.

Significance. One of the last works of Hans Jürgen Evers (1940–2007), the chief breeder at Tantau. Awarded bronze at Baden-Baden (2007), a prize in Lyon (2008) and bronze in Tokyo.

Frequently asked questions about Giardina

Does Giardina need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −23 °C (USDA zone 6–9). Overwintering depends on the conditions. Centre and south; north — with cover.

How many times a season does Giardina flower?

Repeat-flowering through the season.

How big does Giardina grow?

250–350 cm tall, about 100 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Giardina?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Very healthy — powdery mildew 4, black spot 3 (Tantau).

How much sun does Giardina need?