Rody

Where to plant. Slopes and banks, the top and foot of retaining walls (a continuous red carpet), groundcover in large drifts, borders. It can be trained as a weeping standard.

Climate. Hardy (USDA 6b–9b, to ≈ −20…−23 °C); it overwinters well in most of Ukraine, and in the coldest areas it needs protection.

Care. One of the healthiest landscape roses — 'blattgesund', practically disease-free. Pruning is minimal (a rejuvenating prune every few years, in spring). An ideal 'plant it and forget it' rose.

Name. 'Rody' — a short, sonorous trade name; the breeder gives no separate legend. The variety's second trade name is 'Viking'.

Breeding. Bred by Hans Jürgen Evers at the German house Rosen Tantau, registration code TANydor; bred in 1988, on sale from 1994. This is a Tantau rose (not a Kordes).

Significance. A classic cherry-red groundcover rose, valued for its exceptionally healthy foliage and its ability to cover the ground completely with small flowers — a reliable choice for slopes and large areas.