Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek (Kenraiz), CC BY-SA 4.0

FloribundaReimer Kordes; W. Kordes' Söhne, 1964Red

Marlena

Bright velvety red dwarf Floribunda by Reimer Kordes; ADR 1964; Baden-Baden Gold 1962; Belfast Gold 1966; valued for its colour and abundance, not its scent; from its mother variety Lilli Marleen.

Compact dwarf 'patio' · ADR 1964

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Abundant and continuous, in flushes all season

Awards

ADR 1964

Baden-Baden Gold 1962 · Belfast Gold 1966

Plant size

80–100 × 45–70 cm

Habit: Low, compact, dense bush — an early 'patio' / dwarf Floribunda
Dimensions: Height varies: 45–75 cm (classic) to 80–100 cm × about 45–70 cm
Support: Does not need support
Shoots: Short, sturdy
Branching: Dense; the bush holds its shape well

Flower

7–8 cm

Bud shape: Small, bright red velvet
Open flower: Cupped, opening to flat; diameter 7–8 cm
Centre: Half-open — a semi-double variety
Fullness: Semi-double, about 18 petals
Flower carriage: In small clusters — typical Floribunda-form

Fragrance

Almost absent

Almost absent / very weak — the variety is valued for its colour and abundance, not its scent.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

A sturdy garden plant; no specific disease ratings.

Sun

Full sun

No data on colour fading.

Thorns

Few

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

No precise data; compact Kordes FL usually have few.

Foliage

Dark green — a strong contrast with the bright red flowers.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Floribunda
Breeder: Reimer Kordes; W. Kordes' Söhne, Germany, 1964
Bud shape: Small, bright red velvet
Open flower: Cupped, opening to flat; diameter 7–8 cm
Centre: Half-open — a semi-double variety
Colour: Bright red crimson-scarlet, velvety; striking contrast with dark green foliage. No data on fading in the sun.
Fullness: Semi-double, about 18 petals
Flower carriage: In small clusters — typical Floribunda-form
Flowering: Abundant and continuous, in flushes all season
Fragrance: Almost absent / very weak — the variety is valued for its colour and abundance, not its scent
Hips: Not documented
Habit: Low, compact, dense bush — an early 'patio' / dwarf Floribunda
Branching: Dense; the bush holds its shape well
Shoots: Short, sturdy
Thorns: No precise data; compact Kordes FL usually have few.
Dimensions: Height varies: 45–75 cm (classic) to 80–100 cm × about 45–70 cm
Support: Does not need support
Foliage: Dark green — a strong contrast with the bright red flowers
Resistance: A sturdy garden plant; no specific disease ratings
Variations of the variety: Code KORta; parentage 'Gertrud Westphal' × 'Lilli Marleen'; patent PP2700

Colour scheme

Bright crimson-scarlet, velvety; striking contrast with dark green foliage. No data on fading in the sun.

Rose neighbours

Lavaglutvelvety red

Roter Korsarbright red

Cherry Girlcherry-ruby

Icebergpure white · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Byzantine betony (Stachys byzantina)silvery

Lavenderlavender

Catmintblue-lilac

Gypsophilawhite

Neighbouring roses

Bright and dark red Floribundas:

Lavaglut Roter Korsar Cherry Girl Iceberg

Companion perennials

A silvery-lilac family to contrast with the red:

Byzantine betony (Stachys byzantina)lavendercatmintgypsophila

Availability worldwide

Classic Kordes Floribunda, 60+ years in cultivation:

🇩🇪 Germany: high · official Kordes🇪🇺 Europe: high · ADR classic🇺🇸 USA: moderate · patent PP2700🇺🇦 Ukraine: moderate · via European nurseries

More about the variety

Hips: Not documented
Variations of the variety: Code KORta; parentage 'Gertrud Westphal' × 'Lilli Marleen'; patent PP2700

How to grow

Where to plant. Borders, containers, patio groups, low front-of-border positions; the low, dense bush needs no support and holds its shape well. Ideal for bright splashes against white or silvery neighbours.

Climate. USDA 6b–9b (about −20…−23 °C) — in Ukraine, light winter cover is recommended.

Care. Classic compact Floribunda — spring pruning; it flowers abundantly and continuously in flushes all season.

About the name

Name. 'Marlena' echoes its mother variety 'Lilli Marleen' (also Kordes), from which Marlena inherited the bright red colour. A link between the name and the actress Marlene Dietrich is not confirmed — it cannot be asserted.

Breeding. Bred by Reimer Kordes at W. Kordes' Söhne (Germany), in 1964. Code KORta. Parentage: 'Gertrud Westphal' × 'Lilli Marleen'. Patent PP2700. An early compact 'patio' / dwarf Floribunda.

Significance. A Kordes classic of the 1960s, honoured with ADR 1964, Baden-Baden Gold 1962 and Belfast Gold 1966. The variety is valued for its rich bright red colour, abundant continuous flowering and compact habit — not for fragrance (it is almost absent).

Frequently asked questions about Marlena

How many times a season does Marlena flower?

Abundant and continuous, in flushes all season.

How big does Marlena grow?

80–100 cm tall, 45–70 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Marlena?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. About 4 / 5; a robust garden plant; no specific ratings.

How much sun does Marlena need?

Sun; full sun; no data on colour fading.

What does Marlena smell like?