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

Shrub rose (old-fashioned)Rosen-Tantau (Christian Evers), 2014Red

Soul

TAN09505; crimson-purple dense old-fashioned rosettes; ADR 2015; gold medal at Rome 2014; Rose of the Year 2018.

Nostalgie®-Strauchrose · Rose of the Year 2018 (Germany)

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat, in flushes

Repeat flowering in flushes, May–October. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Awards

ADR 2015

Gold, Rome 2014 · Rose of the Year 2018 · Merit RNRS St Albans 2015

Winter hardiness

−20 °C

USDA zone 6. South and central Ukraine; in the north, with winter protection. South and centre of Ukraine · in the north — with winter protection.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

100–150 × 45–70 cm

Habit: Upright, broad and bushy
Dimensions: 100–150 cm tall × 45–70 cm wide
Support: Not needed; in a warm climate it can be trained as a low climber
Shoots: Numerous, sturdy
Branching: Vigorous, with many shoots

Flower

8–10 cm

Bud shape: Round
Open flower: Large, very double, old-fashioned cupped rosette ('flower ball'); diameter 8–10 cm
Centre: Densely filled with petals
Fullness: Very double (41+ petals)
Flower carriage: Singly and in small clusters

Fragrance

Strong; classic old-rose scent with a herbal note

Strong — the classic old-rose scent with a herbal note (Tantau: 'a cloud of fragrance').

Disease resistance

5 out of 5

Black spotresistantPowdery mildewresistant

High — ADR-level: strong resistance to black spot and powdery mildew.

Sun

Sun / partial shade

Tolerates light partial shade.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Moderate prickliness (there is little precise data for this variety).

Foliage

Glossy, light green, healthy.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Shrub rose (old-fashioned)
Breeder: Rosen-Tantau (Christian Evers), Germany, 2014
Bud shape: Round
Open flower: Large, very double, old-fashioned cupped rosette ('flower ball'); diameter 8–10 cm
Centre: Densely filled with petals
Colour: Crimson-purple: dark red with a purple tint, which takes on violet-purple tones as it matures
Fullness: Very double (41+ petals)
Flower carriage: Singly and in small clusters
Flowering: Repeat flowering in flushes, May–October
Fragrance: Strong — the classic old-rose scent with a herbal note (Tantau: 'a cloud of fragrance')
Hips: Usually does not set hips (very double)
Habit: Upright, broad and bushy
Branching: Vigorous, with many shoots
Shoots: Numerous, sturdy
Thorns: Moderate prickliness (there is little precise data for this variety).
Dimensions: 100–150 cm tall × 45–70 cm wide
Support: Not needed; in a warm climate it can be trained as a low climber
Foliage: Glossy, light green, healthy
Resistance: High — ADR-level: strong resistance to black spot and powdery mildew
Variations of the variety: There is a SEPARATE cut-flower 'Soul' (TAN09651, cream-apricot) — a different variety, not to be confused

Colour scheme

Crimson-purple: dark red with a purple tint, which takes on violet-purple tones as it matures

Rose neighbours

Munstead Woodvelvety crimson

Darcey Busselldark raspberry

Falstaffcrimson-purple

Keriosunny yellow · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Catmint (Nepeta)light blue

Salvia 'Caradonna'purple

Stachyssilver

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla)lime

Neighbouring roses

Velvety crimson and purple varieties keep the same deep, 'regal' palette around Soul.

Munstead Wood Darcey Bussell Falstaff Kerio

Perennial companions

Silver foliage, lime lady's mantle and blue spires light up the dark crimson flower:

catmint (Nepeta)salvia 'Caradonna'Stachyslady's mantle (Alchemilla)

Contrast accents

Silver and lime add light to the deep crimson palette:

Stachys byzantinaAlchemilla mollisNepeta Six Hills Giant

More about the variety

Hips: Usually does not set hips (very double)
Variations of the variety: There is a SEPARATE cut-flower 'Soul' (TAN09651, cream-apricot) — a different variety, not to be confused

How to grow

Where to plant. In the middle or back of a mixed border, in a romantic fragrant flower garden, near places to sit (for the strong scent); striking as a specimen thanks to its dense crimson 'balls'.

Climate. South and central Ukraine — no protection needed; in the north, winter protection (USDA zone 6).

Care. Moderate; the ADR-level health makes care easier; full sun or light partial shade, rich soil; feed twice per season.

About the name

Name. 'Soul' — within Rosen Tantau's naming tradition (Jazz, Piano, Acapella), probably after soul music (no official explanation has been published).

Breeding. Bred by Christian Evers for Rosen-Tantau (Uetersen, Germany) in 2009, introduced in 2014. Patent code: TAN09505. Parent varieties are not disclosed.

Significance. One of the most decorated modern nostalgic red shrub roses from Tantau: ADR 2015, gold medal at Rome (2014), Merit of the Royal National Rose Society (2015), and the 'Rose of the Year 2018' award from the German Rose Association.

Frequently asked questions about Soul

Does Soul need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −20 °C (USDA zone 6). Overwintering depends on the conditions. South and central Ukraine; in the north, with winter protection.

How many times a season does Soul flower?

Repeat flowering in flushes, May–October.

How big does Soul grow?

100–150 cm tall, 45–70 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Soul?

Overall resistance: 5 out of 5. 4–5 / 5; very high — ADR: black spot 4/5, powdery mildew 4/5.

How much sun does Soul need?

Sun / partial shade; tolerates light partial shade.

What does Soul smell like?