Shrub rose (Strauchrose); park rose; can be trained on a low supportReimer Kordes, 1966Yellow

Lichtkönigin Lucia

One of the best-known yellow shrub roses by Kordes; ADR since 1968 — the only one of that year's award winners to keep its status; one of the most winter-hardy yellow roses (RHS H7); «Queen of Light Lucia» — named after the Scandinavian feast of St Lucia.

ADR 1968 — holds its status for over half a century

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat, in flushes

Repeat-flowering, from summer to autumn, in waves; rain-resistant. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Awards

ADR 1968

Holds its status for over half a century

Winter hardiness

−25 °C

RHS H7 · one of the most winter-hardy yellows.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

120–150 × 70–90 cm

Habit: Upright, bushy, vigorous; can be trained as a small climber on a low support
Dimensions: 120–150 cm as a shrub (up to 185–200 cm when trained on a support) × 70–90 cm wide
Support: As a shrub it needs no support; can be trained as a small climber on a low support or a fence
Shoots: Sturdy, upright
Branching: Strong upright canes, well branched

Flower

≈ 10 cm

Up to 30 petals.

Bud shape: Large, pointed, lemon yellow
Open flower: Cupped, double; large buds open spectacularly
Centre: Open when fully expanded
Fullness: Double / very double — up to about 30 petals
Flower carriage: In small clusters (several flowers each)

Fragrance

Moderate

Moderate (3/5) — the variety is known precisely for its fragrance.

Disease resistance

5 out of 5

Very high (4–5/5) — it is precisely for its health that it has kept its ADR status for more than half a century.

Sun

Full sun

Tolerates various soils.

Thorns

Many

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

A prickly variety — many thorns (RHS/HMF: «thorny»).

Foliage

Healthy, glossy, dark green — typical healthy Kordes foliage.

Other names

Reine Lucia, Lucia

All characteristics in a table

Group: Shrub rose (Strauchrose); park rose; can be trained on a low support
Breeder: Reimer Kordes, Germany, 1966
Bud shape: Large, pointed, lemon yellow
Open flower: Cupped, double; large buds open spectacularly
Centre: Open when fully expanded
Colour: Deep lemon yellow, clean and bright; fades slightly to creamy yellow as the flowers age in the sun
Fullness: Double / very double — up to about 30 petals
Flower carriage: In small clusters (several flowers each)
Flowering: Repeat-flowering, from summer to autumn, in waves; rain-resistant
Fragrance: Moderate (3/5) — the variety is known precisely for its fragrance
Hips: Sets only a few hips during repeat flowering
Habit: Upright, bushy, vigorous; can be trained as a small climber on a low support
Branching: Strong upright canes, well branched
Shoots: Sturdy, upright
Thorns: A prickly variety — many thorns (RHS/HMF: «thorny»).
Dimensions: 120–150 cm as a shrub (up to 185–200 cm when trained on a support) × 70–90 cm wide
Support: As a shrub it needs no support; can be trained as a small climber on a low support or a fence
Foliage: Healthy, glossy, dark green — typical healthy Kordes foliage
Resistance: Very high (4–5/5) — it is precisely for its health that it has kept its ADR status for more than half a century
Variations of the variety: Code KORlillub (variant KORlilub). Synonyms: Reine Lucia, Lucia. Parentage: Zitronenfalter × Cläre Grammerstorf

Colour scheme

Deep lemon yellow, clean and bright; fades slightly to creamy yellow as the flowers age in the sun

Rose neighbours

Graham Thomaspure yellow

Molineuxwarm yellow

Julia Childbuttery yellow

Blue for Yousmoky purple · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavenderlavender

Woodland sageblue-purple

Catmintblue-lilac

Lady's mantlelime greenWoodland sage

Neighbouring roses

The yellow family — from the legendary Austin roses to the Kordes classics:

Graham Thomas Molineux Julia Child Blue for You

Companion perennials

Blue and lilac perennials — a classic contrast to pure yellow:

lavenderwoodland sagecatmintlady's mantle

Why it is legendary

⭐⭐⭐ A symbol of lasting quality:

🏅 ADR since 1968 — over half a century❄️ one of the most winter-hardy yellows (H7)💪 needs almost no fungicides🇺🇦 Ukraine: reliable for harsh winters

More about the variety

Hips: Sets only a few hips during repeat flowering
Variations of the variety: Code KORlillub (variant KORlilub). Synonyms: Reine Lucia, Lucia. Parentage: Zitronenfalter × Cläre Grammerstorf

How to grow

Where to plant. As a specimen, in a mixed border, or as a low «wall» on a support; spacing between bushes about 70–90 cm.

Climate. Very winter-hardy (RHS H7, tolerates below −20 °C) — one of the most reliable yellows for Ukraine's harsh winters; tolerates various soils (chalk, clay, loam, sand).

Care. Full sun for at least 5–6 hours; spring pruning by ⅓, feeding in spring; thanks to its exceptional health it needs almost no fungicide treatment.

About the name

Name. «Lichtkönigin Lucia» = «Queen of Light Lucia». Named after the feast of St Lucia (Luciafest) — a Scandinavian (chiefly Swedish) tradition on 13 December, when a girl in a white gown with a crown of candles personifies the «queen of light» amid winter darkness. The name echoes the bright yellow, «light» colour of the flower.

Breeding. Raised by Reimer Kordes (W. Kordes' Söhne, Germany), 1966, code KORlillub. Parentage: Zitronenfalter (Tantau) × Cläre Grammerstorf (Kordes). The House of Kordes (Sparrieshoop) is one of the world's leading breeding families.

Significance. ADR 1968 — and the only variety that kept its ADR status among that year's award winners, a symbol of durable quality. One of Kordes' best-known yellow shrub roses and one of the most winter-hardy yellow roses of all — for more than half a century it has remained a benchmark of health and reliability.

Frequently asked questions about Lichtkönigin Lucia

Does Lichtkönigin Lucia need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −25 °C. Overwintering depends on the conditions.

How many times a season does Lichtkönigin Lucia flower?

Repeat-flowering, from summer to autumn, in waves; rain-resistant.

How big does Lichtkönigin Lucia grow?

120–150 cm tall, 70–90 cm wide. On a support — up to 200 cm.

Which diseases affect Lichtkönigin Lucia?

Overall resistance: 5 out of 5. Very high; healthy glossy foliage.

How much sun does Lichtkönigin Lucia need?

Sun; full sun; tolerates various soils.

What does Lichtkönigin Lucia smell like?