FloribundaTim-Hermann Kordes; W. Kordes' SöhneWhite and cream

Märchenzauber

Up to 120 petals, peony-form; ADR 2017 + Gold Baden-Baden; the 8th work by Tim-Hermann Kordes in the catalogue; 3 trade names: Bliss Parfuma (USA) / Fairytale Magic (AU).

Märchenrosen + Parfuma series · 8th Tim-Hermann Kordes

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat-flowering, abundant

Awards

ADR 2017

+ Gold Baden-Baden + international prizes

Winter hardiness

−26 °C

USDA zone 5b. «extremely winter-hardy» (Kordes).

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

90–100 × 60–70 cm

Habit: Upright and dense — typical Kordes Beetrose
Dimensions: 90–100 × 60–70 cm
Support: Does not need support
Shoots: Sturdy, straight; they hold heavy peony-form flowers well
Branching: Good

Flower

8–10 cm

Bud shape: Round, cream-pink with an already visible apricot heart
Open flower: Full peony-form — up to 120 petals in a dense 'rosette'; resembles a peony in shape and density
Centre: Tightly packed, apricot-pink
Fullness: Up to 120 petals — a record for Floribunda
Flower carriage: In clusters of 3–5 flowers

Fragrance

Moderate to strong; fruity, 'intoxicating'

3.5–4/5 — intense fruity, 'intoxicating' (Kordes' description: fruchtig, berauschend); HMF classifies it as 'moderate'.

Disease resistance

4.5 out of 5

4.5/5 — ADR-certified 2017; black spot and powdery mildew (rust 3.5/5).

Sun

Full sun

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Average number, typical of Kordes FL.

Foliage

Dark green, leathery, very healthy.

Other names

Bliss Parfuma, Fairytale Magic, Parfuma Bliss

All characteristics in a table

Group: Floribunda
Breeder: Tim-Hermann Kordes; W. Kordes' Söhne, Germany
Bud shape: Round, cream-pink with an already visible apricot heart
Open flower: Full peony-form — up to 120 petals in a dense 'rosette'; resembles a peony in shape and density
Centre: Tightly packed, apricot-pink
Colour: Cream-pink with an apricot heart; the outer petals fade to pearly white. A soft radial gradient from a warm centre to a cooler edge.
Fullness: Up to 120 petals — a record for Floribunda
Flower carriage: In clusters of 3–5 flowers
Flowering: Repeat-flowering, abundant
Fragrance: 3.5–4/5 — intense fruity, 'intoxicating' (Kordes' description: fruchtig, berauschend); HMF classifies it as 'moderate'
Hips: Not documented
Habit: Upright and dense — typical Kordes Beetrose
Branching: Good
Shoots: Sturdy, straight; they hold heavy peony-form flowers well
Thorns: Average number, typical of Kordes FL.
Dimensions: 90–100 × 60–70 cm
Support: Does not need support
Foliage: Dark green, leathery, very healthy
Resistance: 4.5/5 — ADR-certified 2017; black spot and powdery mildew (rust 3.5/5)
Variations of the variety: Code KORmarzau; internal KO 03/1750-01; parentage unnamed seedling × Focus® (HT, Noack 1997); 3 trade names by country: Bliss Parfuma® (USA 2019), Fairytale Magic (Australia 2018), Parfuma Bliss; often confused with Bliss (Tantau) — these are different varieties

Colour scheme

Cream-pink with an apricot heart; the outer petals fade to pearly white. A soft radial gradient from a warm centre to a cooler edge.

Rose neighbours

Madame Anisettecream-white

Caramellacaramel

Kordes Jubileeyellow-pink

Beverlywarm pink

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavender 'Hidcote'lavender

Catmintsky blue

Echinacea 'Sunrise'purple-pink

Soft lady's mantle (Alchemilla)lime green

Neighbouring roses

Parfuma + the nostalgic Kordes family:

Madame Anisette Caramella Kordes Jubilee Beverly

Companion perennials

A warm Provence family:

lavender 'Hidcote'catmintechinacea 'Sunrise'soft lady's mantle (Alchemilla)

Availability worldwide

A modern Kordes flagship with 3 trade names:

🇩🇪 Germany: high · Märchenzauber🇺🇸 USA: high · as Bliss Parfuma🇦🇺 Australia: high · as Fairytale Magic🇺🇦 Ukraine: moderate · via European nurseries

More about the variety

Hips: Not documented
Variations of the variety: Code KORmarzau; internal KO 03/1750-01; parentage unnamed seedling × Focus® (HT, Noack 1997); 3 trade names by country: Bliss Parfuma® (USA 2019), Fairytale Magic (Australia 2018), Parfuma Bliss; often confused with Bliss (Tantau) — these are different varieties

How to grow

Where to plant. Romantic flower gardens, mono-cream groups with apricot accents, formal borders; ideal in a group with Madame Anisette as a 'Parfuma duo' (aniseed + fruity).

Climate. To −26 °C — 'extremely winter-hardy' according to Kordes; all of Ukraine without cover in most regions.

Care. Classic Beetrose — spring pruning; needs almost no disease prevention (ADR-certificate).

About the name

Name. 'Märchenzauber' — German for 'fairy-tale magic'. Part of the Kordes 'Märchenrosen' ('Fairy-tale Roses') series, in which all the varieties are named after fairy-tale themes. Alongside it in the series: Brothers Grimm, Goethe-Rose, Schneewittchen (Iceberg) and other German literary tributes.

Breeding. Bred by Tim-Hermann Kordes at W. Kordes' Söhne (Sparrieshoop, Germany), bred in 2003, market in Germany 2015, Australia 2018, USA 2019. Code KORmarzau. Internal code KO 03/1750-01. Parentage: unnamed seedling × Focus® (HT, Noack 1997). It is often wrongly given 2015 as the year of breeding — correct: bred 2003, market 2015.

Significance. ADR 2017 (Germany) — one of the newest flagships of the Parfuma® series; also Goldene Rose von Baden-Baden and other international awards. One of the newest flagships of the Parfuma series — the Kordes line aimed at both strong fragrance and ADR-level health. The 8th work by Tim-Hermann Kordes in our catalogue — alongside Florentina (2011), Kordes Jubilee (2012), Larissa (1998/2008), Laguna (1994/2004), Landlust (2002/2015), Knirps (1997, Reimer-era), Madame Anisette (2004/2013). 3 trade names by country: Bliss Parfuma® (USA 2019), Fairytale Magic (Australia 2018), Parfuma Bliss. Do not confuse with Bliss (Tantau) — that is a different rose.

Frequently asked questions about Märchenzauber

Does Märchenzauber need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −26 °C (USDA zone 5b). Overwintering depends on the conditions. «extremely winter-hardy» (Kordes).

How many times a season does Märchenzauber flower?

Repeat-flowering, abundant.

How big does Märchenzauber grow?

90–100 cm tall, 60–70 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Märchenzauber?

Overall resistance: 4.5 out of 5. 4.5 / 5; ADR; resistant to black spot and powdery mildew.

How much sun does Märchenzauber need?

Sun; full sun.

What does Märchenzauber smell like?