Floribunda; Fantasia® collection; garden roseW. Kordes' SöhneLilac and purple

Nautica

A lilac-lavender Floribunda with a nautical name; ADR 2017 — confirmed resistance to powdery mildew and black spot; part of the Kordes Fantasia® collection (poetic names: Novalis, Prologue, Charisma); not to be confused with the cut-flower Nautica Kordes 2016 (KORcut0043, HT, a different variety).

ADR 2017 · EU Patent 2017/2298

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat, in flushes

Repeat-flowering from June to October, with a pronounced first flush. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Legacy

ADR 2017

ADR + EU Patent 2017 · Kordes Fantasia® collection

Winter hardiness

−28 °C

USDA zone 5b. 'Very hardy' according to Kordes; the whole of Ukraine. 'very winter-hardy' per Kordes · all of Ukraine.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

70 × 50 cm

Habit: Upright, compact — typical Floribunda
Dimensions: ~70 cm tall × ~50 cm wide — compact for small beds
Support: Not needed — self-supporting
Shoots: Medium stiffness, dark green
Branching: Well branched, with sturdy stems

Flower

5–7 cm

Bud shape: Round, richly lilac
Open flower: Cupped, very double (26–40 petals), in dense 'ball' clusters
Centre: Closely packed, with hidden stamens; when fully open, the stamens become visible
Fullness: 26–40 petals — very double Floribunda
Flower carriage: In dense clusters of 5–10 — typical of Floribunda Kordes

Fragrance

Light; soft

Light, soft — Kordes describes it as 'riche' (moderate for a lilac variety).

Disease resistance

5 out of 5

Black spotmoderatePowdery mildewmoderateRustmoderate

Maximum 5/5 — ADR 2017 confirms it is little affected by powdery mildew and black spot (with regrowth), and it has moderate resistance to rust.

Sun

Full sun

Light shade keeps the colour.

Thorns

Few

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Few thorns — typical of modern Floribunda Kordes.

Foliage

Dark green and glossy — typical of ADR-varieties from Kordes; contrasts well with the lilac.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Floribunda; Fantasia® collection; garden rose
Breeder: W. Kordes' Söhne, Germany
Bud shape: Round, richly lilac
Open flower: Cupped, very double (26–40 petals), in dense 'ball' clusters
Centre: Closely packed, with hidden stamens; when fully open, the stamens become visible
Colour: Lilac/lavender, rich at first, fading over time almost to white — the characteristic 'pewter' fade. A fresh flower is bright lilac, an old one white-lavender. The colour is brighter in cool weather
Fullness: 26–40 petals — very double Floribunda
Flower carriage: In dense clusters of 5–10 — typical of Floribunda Kordes
Flowering: Repeat-flowering from June to October, with a pronounced first flush
Fragrance: Light, soft — Kordes describes it as 'riche' (moderate for a lilac variety)
Hips: Not documented — cut off after flowering
Habit: Upright, compact — typical Floribunda
Branching: Well branched, with sturdy stems
Shoots: Medium stiffness, dark green
Thorns: Few thorns — typical of modern Floribunda Kordes.
Dimensions: ~70 cm tall × ~50 cm wide — compact for small beds
Support: Not needed — self-supporting
Foliage: Dark green and glossy — typical of ADR-varieties from Kordes; contrasts well with the lilac
Resistance: Maximum 5/5 — ADR 2017 confirms it is little affected by powdery mildew and black spot (with regrowth), and it has moderate resistance to rust
Variations of the variety: Code KORcharblu; other working names: Prologue, KO 05/1732-02. Bred 2005, commercial debut in Germany 2017, Japan 2021. Fantasia® collection. Not to be confused with the cut-flower Nautica Kordes 2016 (KORcut0043, HT, lavender cut variety)

Colour scheme

Lilac/lavender, rich at first, fading over time almost to white — the characteristic 'pewter' fade. A fresh flower is bright lilac, an old one white-lavender. The colour is brighter in cool weather

Rose neighbours

Blue for Yousmoky purple

Blue Moonsilvery lilac

Misty Bubblesdusty lilac

Keriobright yellow · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavenderlavender

Lamb's ear (Stachys)silver

Perovskia (Russian sage)blue-violet

Gypsophilawhite

Neighbouring roses

Lavender-purple family — a modern 'boho/vintage' trend:

Blue for You Blue Moon Misty Bubbles Kerio

Perennial companions

Classic silver-lavender palette sets off the lilac:

lavenderlamb's ear (Stachys)Perovskia (Russian sage)gypsophila

Availability worldwide

A widespread European ADR variety in the Fantasia collection:

🇩🇪 Germany: high · Rosen.de home🇪🇺 Europe: high · Palatine, Promesse de Fleurs🇯🇵 Japan: moderate (since 2021)🇺🇦 Ukraine: moderate · Kordes partners

More about the variety

Hips: Not documented — cut off after flowering
Variations of the variety: Code KORcharblu; other working names: Prologue, KO 05/1732-02. Bred 2005, commercial debut in Germany 2017, Japan 2021. Fantasia® collection. Not to be confused with the cut-flower Nautica Kordes 2016 (KORcut0043, HT, lavender cut variety)

How to grow

Where to plant. In small sunny beds, in borders with lavender, as a container plant on terraces and balconies (compact, 70×50 cm), and in mixes with lavender-silver perennials. A lovely choice for collectors of unusual colours.

Climate. All of Ukraine, no winter protection (USDA 5b — 'very hardy' according to Kordes); copes well with summer heat.

Care. Full sun or light shade (shade keeps the colour); ADR-level resistance allows minimal preventive care; feed 2 times a season; prune about ⅓ in spring.

About the name

Name. 'Nautica' — Latin/Italian for 'nautical', from nauta ('sailor'). It suits the lavender-blue shades of the petals, evoking the colour of sea water and a lavender-grey sky. Part of the Kordes Fantasia® collection, where varieties get poetic, dreamy names (Novalis after the German poet, Prologue, Charisma).

Breeding. Bred at W. Kordes' Söhne (Sparrieshoop, Germany), one of the largest rose houses in the world (founded 1887). Bred in 2005, commercial debut in Germany in 2017, Japan in 2021. Code KORcharblu (other working names: Prologue, KO 05/1732-02). Parentage not published (Kordes' usual practice for new varieties). EU Patent 2017/2298 (20.09.2017).

Significance. ADR 2017 is a prestigious German award for confirmed resistance (Allgemeine Deutsche Rosenneuheitenprüfung): the variety passed 3-year trials at 11 locations in Germany. It is one of the rare lilac ADR-varieties — most ADR winners are pink, red or yellow. The Fantasia® collection is a Kordes line with poetic names and unusual colours (Novalis 2010 — blue-violet, ADR 2010; Charisma; Prologue). Not to be confused with the cut-flower Nautica — Kordes 2016 (KORcut0043) — a different lavender cut Hybrid Tea for floristry.

Frequently asked questions about Nautica

Does Nautica need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −28 °C (USDA zone 5b). Overwintering depends on the conditions. 'Very hardy' according to Kordes; the whole of Ukraine.

How many times a season does Nautica flower?

Repeat-flowering from June to October, with a pronounced first flush.

How big does Nautica grow?

About 70 cm tall, about 50 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Nautica?

Overall resistance: 5 out of 5. ADR 2017 — confirmed resistance to powdery mildew and black spot.

How much sun does Nautica need?

Sun; full sun; light shade keeps the colour.

What does Nautica smell like?