Limbo

Where to plant. First and foremost a cut florist's rose — bred for greenhouses and wedding floristry, with its rare green tone as an accent. But it also grows well in the garden: in the Forest-Steppe and Steppe — outdoors or with light protection; in the north — with full protection. Sunny spot, fertile soil.

Climate. USDA 7. Bred for greenhouses, but it overwinters in open ground too: in the Forest-Steppe/Steppe — with light protection, in the north — with full protection. Winters vary — in severe, snowless years, dieback is possible, so protection is insurance.

Care. In greenhouse conditions — control light and temperature; vase life 10–14 days with proper stem treatment.

Name. «Limbo» — «an intermediate / undefined state» (from Latin limbus — «edge, border»); a hint at a colour that «hangs» between yellow and green, neither one nor the other. A brilliant marketing metaphor — the variety literally lives in colour «limbo».

Breeding. Raised by Wilhelm Kordes III at W. Kordes' Söhne (Sparrieshoop, Germany), mid-1990s, on the market in 1999. Correct code KORnalist (NOT LIMzip — that is a myth). Parentage: Dream® (KORmiller, Kordes floribunda 1997) × Sandrina® (KORbronora, Florists Rose Kordes).

Significance. One of the three iconic green rose varieties in the world (alongside Super Green / Supergreen NIRP and Jade); before Limbo, stable green in roses was considered almost unattainable. It remains on the market as a premium cut rose for wedding floristry. Did not receive ADR/AARS; valued in floristry competitions as a rare green variety. The 6th florist's cut rose in our catalogue, alongside Fire Flash, High Magic, Kerio, Luxor and Lydia — a separate group of cut varieties for wedding bouquets (bred as florist's roses, but they also grow in the garden). It is often wrongly attributed to Schreurs (supposedly code LIMzip) or Tantau — both are incorrect; it is Kordes. Not to be confused with Super Green (NIRP) and Jade — these are separate varieties of similar colour.