Sonnenschirm

Where to plant. In groups at the front of a bed; along paths as a low yellow edging; on slopes to hold the soil; in mixed borders as a 'sunny' lower layer; its self-cleaning habit makes it ideal for public spaces — it needs no deadheading.

Climate. Central Ukraine, no winter protection in low-lying spots; on high ground, a light mulch (USDA 6b); in southern regions, morning watering is important (to prevent spotting).

Care. Minimal — sun and good air circulation; prune with secateurs once every 2–3 years; feed 1–2× per season; no deadheading needed thanks to its self-cleaning quality.

Name. 'Sonnenschirm' = 'Parasol, sunshade' (German). The name describes the rounded, spreading crown of the bush, which resembles a parasol above the ground. The lemon-yellow colour of the flower and its 'parasol' shape are like the bright summer sun over a veranda.

Breeding. Bred by Hans-Jürgen Evers at Rosen Tantau (Uetersen, Germany). Code TANmirsch. Bred 1988, commercial introduction around 1993. Parentage: undisclosed seedlings from the breeder's private collection. Hans-Jürgen Evers is the same breeder who created the iconic Santana (1985) for Tantau and later the ADR-varieties.

Significance. President's International Trophy RNRS 1995 — a prestigious British award from the Royal National Rose Society. One of the early 'self-cleaning' roses of its era: spent petals drop off by themselves, and the bush looks tidy without intervention. This is a property that Tantau later scaled up across its whole landscape series. The 'parasol' crown is a rare form among modern roses, spreading two to three times wider than it is tall. The lemon-yellow colour is a neutral yellow that does not fade to white, unlike many modern yellows. It does not appear on the official ADR list — do not confuse it with other yellow Tantau roses (Bienenweide Gelb, etc.). Susceptible to leaf spotting — it needs a sunny spot with good air circulation.