FIREBIRD ® – yellow-red bedding floribunda rose - Kordes
Step outside on a soft Irish evening and let FIREBIRD® wash your garden in a gentle glow of colour and light, its cupped blooms opening in golden-yellow and deepening through orange to almost crimson-red as they mature. Bred by Kordes for reliable health, this floribunda copes well with our moist air and frequent showers, giving you lively bedding or front-garden structure without fuss. On its own roots it settles in steadily and builds long-term strength, so after a careful first season it rewards you with sturdier shoots and a fuller display year after year. The compact, upright habit and dark, glossy foliage make it a natural fit for cottage borders and city terraces, while its versatile size is perfect where space matters but impact still counts, especially in spots where damp soil needs good drainage and attention.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Front-of-border cottage bedding |
Plant along the edge of mixed borders for a compact, upright structure that stays within 60–80 cm, ideal for Irish cottage-style beds where you want colour but not domination; suits hobby gardeners who like tidy yet romantic planting, especially beginners. |
| Dublin terraced-house front garden |
Use as a focal block planting near paths or railings where its glowing yellow-red clusters stand out against brick and render, yet the dense dark foliage keeps the look refined; low maintenance shaping suits busy urban homeowners. |
| Long-season bedding displays |
The remontant flowering habit brings a generous second flush, so beds and borders retain interest through our short Irish summer, with waves of fresh clusters replacing older blooms; ideal for those who value steady colour over complex care. |
| Small feature hedge or row |
At 35–40 cm spacing FIREBIRD® forms a low, gently formal line, giving structure along drives or paths while remaining easy to reach for light pruning; a good option for families wanting neat definition without specialist skills. |
| Large containers on patios |
In 40–50 litre pots with free-draining compost this variety’s upright habit and dense foliage create a strong vertical accent, while its moderate size prevents it overwhelming small terraces; well suited to balcony and patio-focused urban gardeners. |
| Long-lived planting schemes |
As an own-root rose it builds a durable framework, with roots establishing in year one, stronger shoots in year two and full ornamental value from about year three, supporting long-term designs valued by thoughtful planners. |
| Mixed beds needing reliable foliage |
The dark, glossy, dense leaves hold up attractively between flushes, supporting other perennials and grasses by providing a calm background, particularly useful in Irish gardens where frequent showers keep foliage in constant view for visual impact. |
| Family gardens with moderate spraying |
With resistance to black spot and powdery mildew plus only medium susceptibility to rust, this rose fits gardens where you prefer minimal but occasional protection rather than intensive care, a practical balance for time-pressed rose lovers. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-ribbon – Thread FIREBIRD® along a path with Arends’ saxifrage at its feet for a soft, low edging in small front gardens – ideal for romantic cottage-style enthusiasts.
- Amber-glow – Combine with dwarf fountain grass for warm, moving texture that highlights the colour-shifting blooms – perfect for design-conscious urban gardeners.
- Doorstep-welcome – Plant two large containers flanking a front door, underplanted with trailing violas for a friendly, easy-care entrance – suited to busy city homeowners.
- Family-border – Mix in a narrow bed with hardy geraniums and dwarf honeysuckle for a resilient, long-lived strip of interest – great for low-maintenance family gardens.
- Evening-focus – Place a short hedge of FIREBIRD® opposite a favourite seating spot so its rich reds and oranges catch the last light – appealing to evening garden relaxers.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Floribunda bedding rose, registered as KORtragoso, marketed as FIREBIRD® within the Fantasia® collection; also known as Firebird in exhibition use and classed as an exhibition floribunda bush. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Tim-Hermann Kordes at W. Kordes’ Söhne, Germany, from unnamed Rosa hybrida seedling lines; bred around 2005 and introduced in 2015 via Kordes and Star Roses & Plants. |
| Awards and recognition |
Le Roeulx Audience Prize in 2014 and additional honours as an award winner in international rose competitions, reflecting strong public appeal and proven garden or show performance. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Compact upright bush 60–80 cm high and 45–65 cm wide, with dense, glossy dark green foliage and moderate prickles; forms structured bedding or low hedges while remaining manageable in family gardens. |
| Flower morphology |
Double, cupped floribunda clusters with 26–39 petals and medium-sized 4–7 cm blooms; flowers appear generously in sprays and are remontant, providing an initial flush followed by a strong repeat display. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Yellow-red bicolour: golden-yellow petal bases (RHS 13C) with scarlet edges (RHS 43B) shifting towards deep orange and crimson; colour evolution rather than fading, with buds opening to near solid red in strong sun. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Fragrance is very weak, with only a barely perceptible fruity character in close proximity; primarily grown for colour impact and garden structure rather than as a strongly scented or perfume-focused variety. |
| Hip characteristics |
Rosehip set is sparse due to the double flowers; occasional small, spherical hips 6–10 mm across develop, typically orange-red (RHS 34A), offering minor late-season interest rather than a major ornamental feature. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated to around –26 to –23 °C (USDA 5b, RHS H7, Swedish zone 4); shows resistance to black spot and powdery mildew with medium rust susceptibility, making it a moderately low-maintenance choice in cool, damp climates. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Suited to beds, low hedges and large 40–50 litre containers; plant 35–60 cm apart depending on use, in well-drained soil with occasional plant protection, and maintain with standard pruning for repeat-flowering floribundas. |
FIREBIRD ® brings compact bedding structure, a long flowering season and durable own-root growth to Irish family gardens; it is well worth considering if you would like dependable colour with modest upkeep.
