Photo: Anna reg, CC BY-SA 3.0

Hybrid TeaWilhelm Kordes II, 1950Red

Karl Herbst

A bright cherry-red classic of the post-war 1950s; a large high-centred flower with ~60 petals; an upright bush 70–90 cm; one of the varieties that started the fashion for red roses.

Independence × Peace

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat-flowering, in flushes throughout the season

Awards

Gold medal

RNRS 1950 (per French Wikipedia — treat with caution)

Winter hardiness

−15 °C

USDA zone 7b+. To ~−15 °C; in Ukraine winter protection is essential. Down to ~-15 °C · in Ukraine, winter protection is essential.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

70–90 × 70 cm

Habit: Upright bush
Dimensions: 70–90 × ~70 cm
Support: Not needed — the bush is upright, the stems are strong
Shoots: Strong, hold the large flower without tying
Branching: No data

Flower

60 petals

Bud shape: Classic high-centred bud of the hybrid tea type
Open flower: Large high-centred, very double — a typical show form of the 1950s; the exact diameter is not documented
Fullness: ~60 petals — very double
Flower carriage: Mostly solitary flowers

Fragrance

Moderate to strong; pleasant

Moderate to strong, pleasant; the specific character (fruity, spicy, etc.) is not detailed in the sources.

Sun

No data

No information on sun-fading — so we do not state it.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

There is no precise data on thorniness — an averaged estimate for Hybrid Teas is shown.

Foliage

Light green, glossy.

Other names

Red Peace, The Old Bull

All characteristics in a table

Group: Hybrid Tea
Breeder: Wilhelm Kordes II, Germany, 1950
Bud shape: Classic high-centred bud of the hybrid tea type
Open flower: Large high-centred, very double — a typical show form of the 1950s; the exact diameter is not documented
Colour: Bright cherry red (raspberry red, 'scarlet'). There is no data on a paler reverse of the petals; nor on fading — so we do not state it
Fullness: ~60 petals — very double
Flower carriage: Mostly solitary flowers
Flowering: Repeat-flowering, in flushes throughout the season
Fragrance: Moderate to strong, pleasant; the specific character (fruity, spicy, etc.) is not detailed in the sources
Hips: No data
Habit: Upright bush
Branching: No data
Shoots: Strong, hold the large flower without tying
Thorns: There is no precise data on thorniness — an averaged estimate for Hybrid Teas is shown.
Dimensions: 70–90 × ~70 cm
Support: Not needed — the bush is upright, the stems are strong
Foliage: Light green, glossy
Resistance: No data
Variations of the variety: No separate breeding code; synonyms Red Peace and The Old Bull

Colour scheme

Bright cherry red (raspberry red, 'scarlet'). There is no data on a paler reverse of the petals; nor on fading — so we do not state it

Rose neighbours

Mister Lincolndark red

Chrysler Imperialraspberry red

Crimson Glorydark red

Icebergpure white · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavenderlilac-blue

Catmintblue-lilac

Lamb's earsilver foliage

Sagepurple

Neighbouring roses

Classic cherry and dark red Hybrid Teas — the family of the 'great red rose':

Mister Lincoln Chrysler Imperial Crimson Glory Iceberg

Companion perennials

Silver foliage and lilac-blue flower clusters set off the rich red:

lavendercatmintlamb's earsage

Significance

One of the varieties that set the postwar fashion for red roses:

🇩🇪 Germany: Kordes breeding, 1950
🏅 Gold medal RNRS 1950
🌹 parent of the variety Miss All-American Beauty

More about the variety

Hips: No data
Variations of the variety: No separate breeding code; synonyms Red Peace and The Old Bull

How to grow

Where to plant. An upright bush 70–90 cm tall — a classic Hybrid Tea for a sunny bed or border. It needs no support: the strong stems hold the large flower well. The bright cherry-red colour reads best next to silver foliage (lavender, lamb's ear) and lilac-blue flower spikes.

Climate. USDA 7b+ (roughly down to −15 °C). In Ukraine winter protection is essential — it overwinters on its own only in the mildest zones. Flowering: repeat, in flushes throughout the season.

About the name

Name. The variety is named after Karl Herbst, a colleague of the breeder Kordes. The synonym Red Peace appeared because the pollen parent of the variety was the famous Peace (the seed parent — Independence). Another synonym is The Old Bull. The variety has no separate breeding code.

Breeding. Bred by Wilhelm Kordes II (specifically Wilhelm II, not Reimer Kordes) in Germany, 1950; parents — Independence × Peace. According to the French Wikipedia, the variety received a RNRS Gold Medal in 1950 (cited with caution).

Significance. Karl Herbst is one of the varieties that started the post-war fashion for red roses. It also became the parent of Miss All-American Beauty, continuing the line of large red hybrid teas.

Frequently asked questions about Karl Herbst

Does Karl Herbst need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −15 °C (USDA zone 7b+). Overwintering depends on the conditions. To ~−15 °C; in Ukraine winter protection is essential.

How many times a season does Karl Herbst flower?

Repeat-flowering, in flushes throughout the season.

How big does Karl Herbst grow?

70–90 cm tall, about 70 cm wide.

How much sun does Karl Herbst need?

No data; no information on sun-fading — so we do not state it.

What does Karl Herbst smell like?