FloribundaKordes, 2010Lilac and purple

Novalis

Also sold as Poseidon; a rare soft lilac-violet colour with a cool tint; ADR 2013 — one of the healthiest 'blue' roses.

Nostalgic · Märchenrosen series · also known as Poseidon

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Abundant, repeat-flowering through the whole season

Awards

ADR

2013 · mark of health and beauty

Winter hardiness

−29 °C

USDA zone 5–9. All of Ukraine, without winter cover.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

80–100 × 70 cm

Habit: Upright, neat, well branched
Dimensions: 80–100 cm tall × 70 cm wide
Support: Needs no support — the bush is self-supporting (support is needed only for climbers)
Shoots: Sturdy, straight
Branching: Dense

Flower

8–10 cm

Bud shape: Round, lilac
Open flower: Dense nostalgic rosette of old-fashioned type; diameter 8–10 cm
Centre: Tightly packed, with tucked-under petals
Fullness: Full, many-petalled
Flower carriage: In small clusters

Fragrance

Moderate, apple-fruity

Moderate — a pleasant apple-fruity scent.

Disease resistance

5 out of 5

Very high — an ADR-variety; excellent against black spot and powdery mildew.

Sun

Sun to partial shade

In heat, light shade so the lilac does not fade.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Standard for a Floribunda.

Foliage

Dark green, healthy, semi-glossy.

Other names

Breeder's code KORfriedhar.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Floribunda
Breeder: Kordes, 2010
Bud shape: Round, lilac
Open flower: Dense nostalgic rosette of old-fashioned type; diameter 8–10 cm
Centre: Tightly packed, with tucked-under petals
Colour: Soft lilac-mauve with a cool blue tint; a gentle 'nostalgic' tone
Fullness: Full, many-petalled
Flower carriage: In small clusters
Flowering: Abundant, repeat-flowering through the whole season
Fragrance: Moderate — a pleasant apple-fruity scent
Special features: The colour is relatively stable — it fades less than most lilac varieties
Habit: Upright, neat, well branched
Branching: Dense
Shoots: Sturdy, straight
Thorns: Standard for a Floribunda.
Dimensions: 80–100 cm tall × 70 cm wide
Support: Needs no support — the bush is self-supporting (support is needed only for climbers)
Foliage: Dark green, healthy, semi-glossy
Resistance: Very high — an ADR-variety; excellent against black spot and powdery mildew
Variations of the variety: The same rose is sold as Poseidon

Colour scheme

Soft lilac-mauve with a cool blue tint; a gentle 'nostalgic' tone

Rose neighbours

Mamy Bluemallow purple

Quicksilversilvery lavender

Ozeanalilac-lavender

Keriobright yellow · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavender 'Hidcote'lavender

Catmint (Nepeta)lavender-blue

Perovskia (Russian sage)blue-lilac

Woolly lamb's ear (Stachys)silver

Neighbouring roses

A lilac-lavender palette in one tone — a soft, 'misty' corner of the garden:

Mamy Blue Quicksilver Ozeana Kerio

Perennial companions

Lavender, catmint and silver support the cool lilac tone:

lavender 'Hidcote'catmint (Nepeta)Perovskia (Russian sage)woolly lamb's ear (Stachys)

Contrast accents

Warm silver and white flower heads make the lilac stand out more:

silver artemisiawhite phloxgypsophila

More about the variety

Special features: The colour is relatively stable — it fades less than most lilac varieties
Variations of the variety: The same rose is sold as Poseidon

How to grow

Where to plant. A romantic lilac-lavender mixed border, a formal group, a corner for cut flowers; lovely beside silvery foliage and cool blue perennials.

Climate. Very hardy (ADR), all of Ukraine without winter protection (zones 5–9).

Care. Minimal — the ADR-variety hardly gets sick; water at the roots, prune by 1/3 in spring, mulch. In strong heat, light shade helps keep the clear lilac tone.

About the name

Name. After the German Romantic poet Novalis, the author of the image of the 'blue flower', a symbol of romantic dreams. Very fitting for a rose of the rare lilac-blue tone.

Breeding. W. Kordes' Söhne (Germany), 2010; patent code KORfriedhar. It belongs to the nostalgic Märchenrosen ('fairy-tale roses') series. Award: ADR 2013, the German mark of exceptional health and beauty. Also sold under the name Poseidon.

Frequently asked questions about Novalis

Does Novalis need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −29 °C (USDA zone 5–9). Overwintering depends on the conditions.

How many times a season does Novalis flower?

Abundant, repeat-flowering through the whole season.

How big does Novalis grow?

80–100 cm tall, about 70 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Novalis?

Overall resistance: 5 out of 5. Very high; an ADR-variety.

How much sun does Novalis need?

Sun to partial shade; in heat, light shade so the lilac does not fade.

What does Novalis smell like?