Rosen Tantau

Rosen Tantau, also known as RosenWelt Tantau, is a German rose-breeding company based in Uetersen, Schleswig-Holstein. Founded in 1906 by Mathias Tantau, the business developed from a regional horticultural enterprise into one of the internationally recognized names in modern rose breeding. Its work covers the creation, propagation, licensing, and commercial distribution of rose cultivars for gardens, nurseries, florists, and the cut-flower trade. The company became particularly important during the 1930s and expanded its reputation under Mathias Tantau junior, who assumed control in 1948 after the death of the founder. The younger Tantau developed a number of notable hybrid tea roses, including Polarstern, Super Star, and Fragrant Cloud. Fragrant Cloud later received the distinction of World's Favorite Rose in 1981, reinforcing the company's reputation for combining ornamental quality with strong commercial appeal. A major ownership transition occurred in 1985, when Mathias Tantau sold the family business to Hans-Jürgen Evers, who had joined the company in 1963. Evers continued the breeding operation and helped carry the business into a more internationally oriented phase. His son Christian Evers served as co-manager from 2000 to 2007 and subsequently led the company, according to the available reference material. Rosen Tantau's portfolio includes hybrid tea roses, floribundas, climbing roses, shrub roses, bedding roses, and cultivars intended for cut-flower production. Among its best-known introductions are Black Magic, Chippendale, Heidi Klum Rose, Augusta Luise, Ashram, Pastella, Santana, Barkarole, and Aspirin-Rose. Black Magic in particular became one of the company's most commercially successful varieties. Several Tantau cultivars have received awards or recognition through rose trials and competitions, including ADR distinctions and awards at Baden-Baden, Barcelona, Westbroekpark, and other international venues. The company's business model combines direct plant sales with wholesale distribution and licensing arrangements. Its cultivars are marketed through international sales agencies and licensed growers, allowing Rosen Tantau genetics to reach both home gardeners and professional flower producers. The company is also associated with the wider German rose-breeding cluster around Uetersen and nearby Schleswig-Holstein. Together with W. Kordes' Söhne, another major German breeder, Rosen Tantau has been described as holding a significant position in the global cut-rose market. Today, Rosen Tantau remains an active specialist breeding brand rather than a diversified consumer-goods conglomerate. Its competitive identity rests on long-term breeding expertise, recognizable cultivar names, award performance, licensing reach, and a continuing presence in both ornamental garden roses and commercial cut roses.

Rosen Tantau was established in 1906 in Uetersen by Mathias Tantau, beginning a family business that would become one of Germany's best-known rose-breeding enterprises. Uetersen and the surrounding Pinneberg district developed a strong horticultural identity, providing an appropriate base for a company specializing in the breeding and commercial cultivation of roses. The business gained wider importance during the 1930s. After Mathias Tantau died in 1953, his son, Mathias Tantau junior, continued the enterprise and formally took over its direction in 1948. The younger Tantau became associated with a generation of hybrid tea roses that combined strong visual appeal with suitability for professional production and garden use. Polarstern, Super Star, and Fragrant Cloud were among the cultivars that established the company's international reputation. Fragrant Cloud was later named World's Favorite Rose in 1981. In 1985, Mathias Tantau sold the family business to Hans-Jürgen Evers. Evers had joined the company in 1963, so the transition preserved substantial internal experience while changing ownership outside the founding family. Under the Evers era, Rosen Tantau continued to build a broad portfolio of garden and cut roses and expanded its reliance on international distribution, sales agencies, and licensing partnerships. The late twentieth century brought a succession of commercially important introductions. Black Lady, Camp David, Ilseta, Monica, Santana, Diadem, Bernstein Rose, Schneewalzer, Barkarole, and Majolika were among the varieties released during the 1970s and 1980s. The company continued introducing cultivars in the 1990s, including Mirato, Pierette, Satina, Schneekönigin, Softy II, Foxi, Sonnenschirm, and Tea Time. Many received recognition in German or international rose trials, including ADR designations and awards at venues such as Baden-Baden, Barcelona, Westbroekpark, and Mainau. From 2000 to 2007, Christian Evers served as co-manager with Hans-Jürgen Evers and later became the company's leader. The business entered the twenty-first century with a portfolio that included Ashram, Augusta Luise, Pastella, Chippendale, Heidi Klum Rose, and Sweet Haze. Black Magic, introduced in 1995, became especially successful and is widely identified with the company's modern commercial reputation. Rosen Tantau operates as a specialist breeder and supplier. Its activities include developing new rose varieties, bringing them to market, selling plants through retail and wholesale channels, and licensing varieties to growers in different regions. The company's roses serve both private gardeners and professional flower producers. The available reference material describes an international network of sales agencies and licensed production in markets including Australia, Japan, the United States, and Latin America. The company's history is therefore characterized by continuity in specialist breeding, two major leadership transitions, an expanding international licensing model, and a steady stream of named cultivars. It remains part of Germany's influential rose-breeding sector and continues to trade under the Rosen Tantau name.

• 2005

  Heidi Klum Rose introduced

  [1]Rosen Tantauen.wikipedia.org

  The Heidi Klum Rose was among the company's notable introductions of the mid-2000s.

• 2000

  Christian Evers becomes co-manager

  [1]Rosen Tantauen.wikipedia.org

  Christian Evers joined Hans-Jürgen Evers in the company's management.

• 1995

  Black Magic introduced

  [1]Rosen Tantauen.wikipedia.org

  The Black Magic cultivar entered the market and later became one of the company's most successful varieties.

• 1985

  Ownership transferred to Hans-Jürgen Evers

  [1]Rosen Tantauen.wikipedia.org

  Mathias Tantau sold the family business to Hans-Jürgen Evers, a longtime company employee.

• 1981

  Fragrant Cloud receives global recognition

  [1]Rosen Tantauen.wikipedia.org

  Fragrant Cloud was selected as World's Favorite Rose.

• 1948

  Second generation takes over

  [1]Rosen Tantauen.wikipedia.org

  Mathias Tantau junior assumed control and later became known for influential hybrid tea roses.

• 1930

  Rise to wider importance

  [1]Rosen Tantauen.wikipedia.org

  The company became increasingly significant in the rose industry during the 1930s.

• 1906

  Company founded in Uetersen

  [1]Rosen Tantauen.wikipedia.org

  Mathias Tantau established the rose-breeding business in Uetersen, Schleswig-Holstein.

A premium German rose-breeding and cultivar-licensing brand focused on award-recognized garden and cut roses.

• Hybrid tea rose · 1995

  Black Magic

  Introduced in 1995, Black Magic is one of Rosen Tantau's most commercially successful cultivars. Its deep red flowers and suitability for professional cut-flower production have made it a recognizable international rose variety. It is also sold for garden use and is frequently associated with the company's modern global reputation.

• Hybrid tea rose · 1963

  Fragrant Cloud

  Fragrant Cloud is a strongly scented hybrid tea rose developed during the Mathias Tantau junior era. Its fragrance and flower quality helped make it one of the company's landmark cultivars. The variety received the World's Favorite Rose distinction in 1981, giving it an especially prominent place in Rosen Tantau's historical portfolio.

• Hybrid tea rose · 1963

  Polarstern

  Polarstern is an early internationally recognized hybrid tea rose associated with Mathias Tantau junior. Its light-colored flowers and classic exhibition-style form helped demonstrate the breeder's ability to produce roses with strong ornamental and commercial qualities. It remains one of the varieties most often cited in accounts of the company's development.

• Hybrid tea rose · 1960

  Super Star

  Super Star is a hybrid tea cultivar from the period when Rosen Tantau was building its international reputation. It is part of the company's classic breeding legacy and illustrates the historical importance of large-flowered hybrid teas in both exhibition culture and commercial rose production.

• Garden rose · 1997

  Aspirin-Rose

  Aspirin-Rose is a light-flowered garden cultivar released in the late 1990s. It received recognition in rose trials and a gold medal in Barcelona in 2007. The variety represents Rosen Tantau's broader garden-rose work beyond traditional hybrid teas and is associated with a clean, pale floral appearance.

• Nostalgic garden rose · 1999

  Augusta Luise

  Augusta Luise, introduced in 1999, is a decorative garden rose with a nostalgic flower form. It belongs to the company's later portfolio and reflects the market's interest in densely petalled, old-fashioned-looking blooms combined with the repeat-flowering characteristics expected of modern cultivars.

• Garden rose · 2005

  Chippendale

  Chippendale was introduced in 2005 and is known as one of Rosen Tantau's prominent modern garden roses. Its strongly formed flowers and vintage-inspired appearance fit the company's positioning in ornamental roses for private gardens, specialist nurseries, and international retail channels.

• Floribunda or compact garden rose · 2005

  Heidi Klum Rose

  The Heidi Klum Rose was introduced in 2005 as a named Rosen Tantau cultivar. It is a compact ornamental rose associated with richly colored, densely formed flowers and is marketed primarily for garden enjoyment. The name gives it a distinctive consumer-facing identity within the company's broader cultivar portfolio.

• 2000

  Management transition to the next generationStrategy

  Background

  The company continued as an independent specialist breeder under Hans-Jürgen Evers.

  Action taken

  Christian Evers became co-manager, later taking leadership of the company.

  Aftermath

  The transition maintained continuity in the Evers management line while supporting the company's continued international cultivar business.

  Source

• 1985

  Transfer of the family businessM&A

  Background

  After decades under the founding Tantau family, the business required a new ownership structure while retaining its specialist breeding capabilities.

  Action taken

  Mathias Tantau sold Rosen Tantau to Hans-Jürgen Evers, who had worked at the company since 1963.

  Aftermath

  The transaction began the Evers-led period and preceded further international development of the company's cultivar and licensing activities.

  Source

1. 1Rosen Tantauen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Rosen Tantau official websiterosen-tantau.com